DHCW TDA 20/02/2026
Previous Actions
See TDA 17/10/2025
| Ref | Owner | Due | Description | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TDA-A012 | CC | 17/10 | Add Rationale and Implications to all principles for review | ⏸️ On Hold |
| TDA-A013 | CC | 17/10 | Undertake holistic review of all principles and propose changes to make cohesive for review | ⏸️ On Hold |
| TDA-A017 | CC | 07/11 | Propose a clear definition of "architecture" for ADR scope and share with the group. Update: ADR Process updated. | ✅ Done |
| TDA-A018 | CC | 07/11 | Clarify expectations around financial implications of architectural decisions in the process. Update: ADR Template updated. | ✅ Done |
| TDA-A019 | CC | 07/11 | Consider aligning ADR decision levels with architectural principle levels. Update: Order maintained due to existing usage already established, so avoid confusion. | ✅ Done |
| TDA-A020 | CC | 07/11 | Update and publish the agreed architecture principles on the public site. Update: See Principles. | ✅ Done |
| TDA-A021 | CC/RR/ME | 07/11 | Refine and publish the approved architecture toolkit comms. Update: Comms sent out and 2x live sessions held circa 120 attendees across both. | ✅ Done |
| TDA-A022 | IE/SL/RH | 07/11 | Cascade the need to utilise the architecture toolkit (ADRs/AODs etc.) to staff. Update: Consider if further follow-up needed. | ✅ Done |
| TDA-A023 | CC/AV | 07/11 | Work together to define and publish an agreed definition of technical debt. | ⏳ Open |
Items
| Reference | Item | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| TDA-027 | Confirm priorities for 2026 | Confirmed focus on five main areas |
Summary
The first formal TDA meeting of the year (20 February 2026) centred on confirming priorities for 2026 based on the outputs of the Development Session. The committee confirmed five main areas of focus:
1. TDA Positioning Within DHCW Governance
- Review and refresh the Terms of Reference to clarify scope, responsibilities, escalation routes, and the relationship with TDAG, WIAG, and programme governance.
- Improve clarity for teams submitting designs, ensuring consistent, proportionate, and transparent assurance pathways.
2. Alignment With the National Architecture & Standards Board
- Establish clear two way communication mechanisms to ensure:
- DHCW architectural principles and decisions reflect national direction.
- DHCW actively contributes to national standards and patterns.
- Identify opportunities for shared working on common architecture components.
3. Standards, Patterns and Blueprints
- Systematically review and iterate DHCW standards across all architecture domains.
- Develop Blueprints (pre approved patterns) that enable teams to accelerate safe and compliant delivery.
- Align this work with the Cloud Transition Programme, particularly standardised landing zones and reference infrastructure patterns.
4. Defining Strategic Architecture Components
- Commission work to define the future strategic direction for example:
- Master Patient Index (MPI) and demographics services.
- The relationship between Integration Hub, Clinical Data Repository, and legacy systems.
- Wider whole system architecture components that underpin national interoperability.
- These will form part of an updated Architecture forward plan.
5. Strategic Architecture Assessment for Business Cases
- Develop a clearer mechanism for assessing the architectural fitness of new initiatives at the Strategic Case stage.
- Provide early TDA approval or challenge to ensure alignment with national and organisational architecture from the outset.