Create and manage DDT standards
Draft DDT standards
- Last reviewed
- 28 April 2026
- Owner
- Standards Forum
Standards move through several stages before they are published.
Check the need
Speak to the relevant Head of Profession, or leads, to confirm if there's a viable need for the standard.
Agree a standard owner
Every standard should have an owner. This is often a technical lead in a particular area.
A standard owner’s responsibilities are to:
- publish the standard, once it has been approved by the standards forum
- ensure the standard is fit-for-purpose across DfE
- consult, or facilitate consultation, with stakeholders impacted by the standard
- keep the standard up-to-date
Draft standard
Use the standard template to draft or revise a standard. This will help you detail the identified need, scope, and objective.
Add the proposed standard to Create and manage standards service to submit it to the standards forum.
Review standard
The standards forum will provide feedback to the standard owner and submitter.
Approve standard
The forum approves the standard.
The standard owner can then put comms and other processes in place before publication.
Reject standard
If the standard fails to meet criteria during the review, it is rejected.
Reasons are provided to the owner, and the standard may either be revised for resubmission or deleted.
Publish and manage standard
Once approved, the standard can be published and made available for teams in Find and use standards.