Project: information architect - new role
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About this project
We are defining the typical responsibilities and required skills for the role of 'information architect' in the Government Digital and Data profession.
This new description will provide a structured career path for information architecture practitioners. It will help bring in and retain skills that are increasingly critical for joined-up, more effective, government services and organisations.
We anticipate that the final list of skills will likely consist of a mixture from the user-centred design and architecture role families, and some specific to the information architect role.
Project status: in progress
Scope of change: 1 new role description, including up to 4 levels
Scheduled publication: 27 November 2026 (to be confirmed)
Organisations with experts involved
Co-writing group:
- Government Digital Service
- Scottish Government
- Ministry of Defence
- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (to be confirmed)
Community feedback group:
Definition and formation in progress - see 'getting involved'.
Groups kept informed
Capability Framework Design Council (capability leads from across government and the public sector)
Getting involved
This project is starting in July 2026.
Contact the group lead to ask about joining either the co-writing or community feedback group to help develop the description.
Group lead: Marc Stephenson, Government Digital Service (GDS)
Email: marc.stephenson@dsit.gov.uk
Timeline
This project is starting in July 2026 and is scheduled to complete in November 2026.
Publish content change
27 November 2026 (to be confirmed)
Design sessions and testing of role description
September to October 2026
First draft of role description submitted by group
August 2026
In progress: project group forming
July 2026
Contact the group lead if you are interested in joining the group to develop the role description.
Email: marc.stephenson@dsit.gov.uk
Kick off session
22 June 2026
Introduction to process for developing a new role. Discussion about which role family the description should be part of.
Approval by Capability Framework Design Council
28 May 2026
The proposal was approved.
Second proposal to Capability Framework Design Council
29 April 2026
Marc Stephenson and Dan Howarth from the Government Digital Service (GDS) re-presented the case for describing the information architect role. The case took into consideration feedback and concerns from the first proposal.
First proposal to Capability Framework Design Council
26 June 2025
Becky Ashley and Laura Hiles from GDS presented the case for describing the information architect role in the Government Digital and Data Profession Capability Framework.