🏰 Model the GOVUK Platform Infrastructure

[jasonBirchall]

User Need

As a new starter in the GOVUK platform team
I want to understand and document the platform's current infrastructure in a clear and accessible way
so that I can quickly gain an overview of how the platform operates, identify any gaps or challenges, and ensure this information is published and maintained for future use.

---

Value

• Helps new starters like myself onboard quickly by providing a clear overview of the platform infrastructure.
• Creates a living document that can be maintained and updated as the platform evolves, improving team alignment and continuity.
• Reduces reliance on individual team members’ knowledge, decreasing the risk of information silos.
• Provides a foundation for informed decision-making and prioritising improvements.

---

Functional Requirements (What):

• Identify and gather any existing documentation, diagrams, or resources that describe the current platform infrastructure.
• Conduct interviews or discussions with platform engineers, tech leads, and product managers to fill in gaps in the documentation.
• Create or update diagrams that illustrate key components, dependencies, and workflows of the GOVUK platform.
• Publish the documentation in an accessible and centralised location (e.g., Confluence or a team wiki).

---

Non-Functional Requirements (How):

• Diagrams and documentation should adhere to GOVUK standards for consistency and clarity.
• Ensure the published documentation is easy to update and maintain over time.
• Include annotations to highlight scalability, performance, and security considerations.
• Documentation should be reviewed and validated by the team to ensure accuracy.

---

Acceptance Criteria:

• Infrastructure diagrams are created or updated to provide a clear, comprehensive view of the GOVUK platform.
• Documentation is reviewed by key stakeholders, including platform engineers and tech leads.
• The final output is published in an easily accessible location and includes guidance for ongoing updates.
• A summary of challenges, gaps, and improvement opportunities is included.

---

Assumptions (Optional):

• Existing documentation may be incomplete and require significant input from team members.
• Stakeholders will be available to provide input and validation within the timeline.

---

Notes:

• This documentation should act as a foundational reference for new starters and be linked to other onboarding resources.
• Use tools like Excalidraw, Lucidchart, or draw.io for diagramming, following GOVUK standards.
• This is a priority task to ensure I (and future new starters) have a solid understanding of the platform and can contribute effectively.

[jasonBirchall]

Application deployment process
Platform at 1000 ft