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Part of NHS architecture principles

Reuse before buy/build

Digital services should demonstrate that they have sought to reuse existing solutions before delivering new ones.

Where it is not possible to reuse an existing solution, off-the-shelf (commercial or open source) products should be considered. For open source products there should be an appropriate level of contractual support provided. 

Only having ruled out the former two options should a new solution be built, either in-house or through third parties. 

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Summary

Digital services should demonstrate that they have sought to reuse existing solutions before delivering new ones.

Where it is not possible to reuse an existing solution, off-the-shelf (commercial or open source) products should be considered. For open source products there should be an appropriate level of contractual support provided. 

Only having ruled out the former two options should a new solution be built, either in-house or through third parties. 

Rationale

Reusing existing solutions will:
  • reduce cost and time to market
  • promote sustainability
  • reduce carbon footprint

Implication

Services should:
  • conform with the approved Technologies List, owned and managed by AIDA
  • use platforms
  • have their business case evaluated by technical and enterprise architecture
  • have their high-level solution architecture and risk log assessed by Architecture Approval Group

Last edited: 12 March 2021 1:36 pm

Chapters

  1. NHS architecture principles
  2. All digital services need to be delivered sustainably
  3. Put our tools in modern browsers
  4. Internet first
  5. Public cloud first
  6. Build a data layer with registers and APIs
  7. Adopt appropriate cyber security standards
  8. Use platforms
  9. Put user needs first
  10. Interoperability with open data and technology standards
  11. Reuse before buy/build