DNA Software House

As delivery partner, Digi2al is operating closely in partnership with the Navy Digital DNA team. To establish strong project foundations from the outset, Digi2al helped to iIterate the Software House Operating Model, which focuses on re-use, low-code first (including Palantir Foundry) and buy-before-build. We co-created a programme-wide Collaboration Charter, recognising the need for a cohesive approach across individual service development and ensuring a consistent approach to project management and delivery. As part of our ongoing support, we deploy a large multi-disciplinary delivery team to the programme and its individual services, including some of the DNA leadership functions, such as the Head of Digital Development and CTO.

Our delivery across the DNA portfolio has included: Low code and complex code applications, such as ‘Navy Schedule Service’, the ‘MyNavy’ mobile app, and ‘Navy Data Platform’; ‘First Look & Discoveries’ for users across the RN; and through life service management (TLSM) for applications and programmes.

Across all of these services, our Delivery Managers work shoulder to shoulder with Product Owners to support them in making backlog prioritisation decisions every two weeks. Our approach to delivering these services has been focused on being reactive to change rather than following a set plan. Whilst the team does work to a product roadmap, they are able to flex and pivot as they learn more about the product and the military needs to deliver a truly user-centred service.

Our cohesive approach has helped to keep the large-scale project on track and allowed delivery to be tailored to match changing budget requirements. We have also delivered significant social value to the Portsmouth area, including partnership initiatives with the University of Portsmouth. These initiatives have resulted in the hiring of UoP students to work directly on the contract.