Part of SDE operational readiness report, Q4 2025/26
Appendix 1
Maturity assessment and operational patterns
The operational readiness review confirmed that the SDE Network has achieved significant progress (see Figure 2) and surfaced consistent themes across the SDE Network, including shared technical goals, strong patient and public involvement and engagement (PPIE) foundations, and a commitment to federation. This created a valuable baseline to inform strategic funding, platform consolidation, and capability development.
| Nil | No evidence of thinking |
|---|---|
| Nascent | Lacking demonstrable evidence beyond definition/approach. |
| Developing | Demonstrable evidence of implementation. |
| Established | Demonstrable evidence of early live operation. Enabling and supporting users/customers but with tactical approaches. |
| Operating | Demonstrable evidence of maturing live operation (such as multiples of stakeholders, customers, users, projects, data) with sustainable process/tooling. |
| Optimised | Demonstrable evidence of refinement to processes, ways of working, tech to drive efficiency, effectiveness, and sustainability. Ready to scale. |
| Scaled | Demonstrable evidence of efficient, effective, and scaled operations. |
SDE operational patterns
The introduction of the SDE operational pattern framework represents a strategic shift in how the SDE Network is structured and supported in the future. Based on intelligence gathered through the review, a 3-pattern model has been developed to categorise each SDE according to its operational maturity, delivery capability, and strategic alignment. This patterned approach (see Figure 3) enables the Data for R&D Programme to prioritise investment and focus support where it will have the greatest impact, improving the quality, consistency, and sustainability of data-enabled research across the NHS.
| Pattern | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | SDE has moved further and faster, demonstrating full operational capability, strong governance, and leadership in important areas. |
| 2 | SDE either has existing operations which contain exemplar elements that are not yet fully embedded in the SDE Network or has new infrastructure that is in early operational status. |
| 3 | SDE has not progressed sufficiently after 3 years of support. |
Figure 5: User journey
Last edited: 13 April 2026 11:33 am