DDATS mission

Why DDATS? And what's our purpose?

The reality is we need to constantly adapt to market demands and, as a tech start-up, we cannot stay fixated on these missions either (@Vinmore is yet to come up with its purpose/mission statements). But these statements do provide a purpose, our why!

So here's our attempt to get our story right!

One Purpose, Two missions!

Our purpose at DDATS is to build a native AI firm for the UK public sector with the most exciting, diverse and talented engineering team you can ever imagine (the ODD SQUAD±). We deliver this through our 2 simplified mission statements below:

Mission 1: DDATS will lead example of AI adoption across all our services and within our internal processes.

Context: UK Plc is already lagging in AI adoption (see the research here but if in doubt just call a techie friend in the private sector or elsewhere in the world).

Mission Progress to date: Within the last 4 months, we have completed the 1st phase of the automation of a private sector client’s contract management workflow, with validations built to check charges, milestones, timesheets and invoices.

We are testing open tools and checking Vinmore workflows to see where we can employ agents to support admin tasks, but also how we can apply automation to their client engagements (e.g. ITT processes, framework applications, bid advisory).

It'd be naïve to call DDATS an AI expert yet given the rapid changes. But we're learning, adapting and developing partnerships to create collective learning and thought leadership.

Next Steps are to create active propositions around

• AI maturity assessments for public sector clients

• Supporting the procurement and deployment of AI tool-stacks

• AI-led delivery engagements within Digital, Data, Tech & Security services

Mission 2: DDATS will prioritise the delivery of MAC 2.2 or Outcome 6a from the Social Value Model. We will lead with employment/training opportunities for the underrepresented through our own and our partners’ services.

Context: For individuals facing barriers to employment (e.g. women, kin carers, 55+ workers, disabled, neurodivergent), entering the digital sector can be particularly challenging. While there is a recognised shortage of digital skills, the pace at which technology evolves requires rapid and continual upskilling. This can make it harder for those without access to training, networks or early career opportunities to enter and succeed in the sector.

Not surprisingly - all 3 of the Vinmore and DDATS Directors, belong to this group and we have started seeing the impact on our work in some form in our digital delivery engagements – instead of waiting and watching for the lost decade, we would rather act now.

Mission Progress to date: Making Digital/AI inclusion a mainstream mission at DDATS means that it is not left behind as part of 10% social delivery response but rather becomes a fundamental differentiator. We can achieve this because we're embedding this mission from Day 1. This mission drives our future recruitment, our partnership models and our client deliveries.

We're already forming curated social value partners who can support us along the way. Expect training initiatives in the near future from our side.

Maureen continues to be our Social Value Champion, and we will continue to lean on her for advice and support.

Why now: We're keen to make a difference now while everyone around us is trying to get a grip on the challenges/opportunities from AI.

Of course, we see the opportunities with Vinmore initiatives (Vinmore Supplier Ecosystem, Bid Advisory) along with our own direct partnerships - and our willingness to become a leading digital/AI supplier in the UK public sector in the 'small supplier category'.

Your atypical Odd Squad are ready to go mainstream!