Guide
DDaT roles and the capability framework explained.
Last reviewed 24 September 2026, against the official framework.
What does DDaT stand for?
DDaT stands for Digital, Data and Technology. It is the UK government profession for the people who design, build, run and secure digital services and data, from data engineers and user researchers to delivery managers and chief technology officers.
The roles are defined in a single capability framework. On 1 December 2023 it was renamed from the Digital, Data and Technology (DDaT) Profession Capability Framework to the Government Digital and Data Profession Capability Framework, with the launch of the Government Digital and Data brand. Most people across government and its suppliers still call it the DDaT framework.
What is the DDaT capability framework for?
It describes each digital and data role in government and the skills expected at each role level. Individuals use it to plan their development, managers use it to assess the capability of a team, and hiring managers use it to write job adverts and assess candidates. For buyers, it is the common language for specifying the people a programme needs.
The eight DDaT role groups.
The framework groups its roles into eight families. These are the roles currently listed in each.
Architecture roles
Business architect · Data architect · Enterprise architect · Network architect · Security architect · Solution architect · Technical architect
Chief digital and data roles
Chief data officer · Chief digital and information officer · Chief information security officer · Chief technology officer
Data roles
Analytics engineer · Data analyst · Data and artificial intelligence ethicist · Data engineer · Data governance manager · Data scientist · Digital evaluator · Machine learning engineer · Performance analyst
IT operations roles
Application operations engineer · Business relationship manager · Change and release manager · Command and control centre manager · End user computing engineer · Incident manager · Infrastructure engineer · Infrastructure operations engineer · IT service manager · Problem manager · Service desk manager · Service transition manager
Product and delivery roles
Agile coach · Business analyst · Delivery manager · Digital portfolio manager · Product manager · Programme delivery manager · Service owner
Quality assurance testing (QAT) roles
Quality assurance test analyst · Test engineer · Test manager
Software development roles
Development operations (DevOps) engineer · Frontend developer · Software developer
User-centred design roles
Accessibility specialist · Content designer · Content strategist · Graphic designer · Interaction designer · Service designer · Technical writer · User researcher
How DDaT role levels work.
Most roles have several levels, and the ladder differs from role to role. Common levels include associate, practitioner, senior, lead and head of, and some roles start at apprentice or junior. Chief digital and data roles have no levels. When you specify a role, name the level as well as the role: a senior data engineer and a lead data engineer are expected to work at different scales of problem and responsibility.
How to use the framework to specify a team.
- Start from the outcome. Describe what the team must deliver and by when, before listing roles.
- Name each role and level from the framework. For example: delivery manager (senior), business analyst (practitioner), data engineer (senior) and user researcher (practitioner).
- Point to the framework skills that matter most. Each role page lists its skills, so you can say which ones the work depends on.
- State the security clearance required, and whether it must already be held on day one.
- Choose the engagement model: individual specialists or a complete squad, on time and materials, a statement of work, or outcome-based terms.
A specification written this way makes suppliers' responses comparable, and makes it clear from the start whether you need individuals to join an existing team or a squad that can own the outcome.
Security clearance levels for DDaT roles.
Many government DDaT roles need national security vetting as well as the right skills. The three levels buyers ask for most often are:
BPSS: Baseline Personnel Security Standard
Pre-employment checks of identity, right to work, employment history and unspent criminal records. The minimum for most government work.
SC: Security Check
For roles that involve long-term, frequent and uncontrolled access to SECRET assets, or occasional, supervised access to TOP SECRET assets.
DV: Developed Vetting
The most thorough level, for roles that require frequent and uncontrolled access to TOP SECRET assets, or any access to TOP SECRET codeword material.
Individuals cannot apply for security clearance themselves: it has to be requested by the employing organisation and is carried out by government vetting agencies. That is why specialists who already hold a live clearance can usually start sooner.
Resourcing DDaT roles with Mayfair IT Consultancy.
We supply security-cleared DDaT professionals, individually or as complete agile squads, to government departments and to systems integrators delivering public sector programmes. Our professionals hold clearances including BPSS, SC and DV.