The Department for Work and Pensions relies on accurate debt information to support millions of citizens every year. The existing Alpha version of the Debt Data Platform had demonstrated potential but lacked the stability, automation and clarity needed to progress to a public-facing Beta. The service was difficult to extend, and inconsistency across data pipelines was affecting the confidence of analysts and policy teams. DWP needed a partner who could bring order to complexity, create a shared direction and turn a promising Alpha into a dependable national platform.

Scrumconnect approached the work with a focus on partnership and problem-solving. Rather than immediately replacing components, we began by working alongside DWP analysts, architects and product leads to understand why the Alpha was struggling. Joint technical reviews, open code walk-throughs and collaborative prioritisation sessions helped uncover the root causes: fragmented pipelines, uneven data quality checks and limited visibility of how data moved through the service.

This early sense-making stage shaped the foundation for the Beta. Together, we defined a clear set of outcomes anchored in transparency, repeatability and simplicity. Our team then set about restructuring the platform using Azure-native services in a way that made the system easier to reason about and less dependent on individual specialists. Complex transformations were redesigned into straightforward, auditable steps, and automated quality checks replaced manual routines that had slowed teams down.

Where the project stands out is in the shared way of working that developed. We spent time building a common language around data, running interactive workshops with DWP teams on lineage, validation and governance. Shadowing and paired working meant civil servants were fully hands-on with pipelines and dashboards long before launch. The aim wasn’t simply to “deliver a Beta” but to create a service that DWP felt confident owning.

The results were clear. Processing times dropped by 45%, validation errors reduced by 60% and deployment cycles became predictable and far more frequent. The platform passed its GDS Beta assessment at first attempt, with assessors highlighting its clarity, accessibility and strong evidence base. Analysts reported a 93% confidence score in the reliability of outputs after the shift to automated validation.

Most importantly, DWP now has a service designed for longevity. The platform provides a replicable pattern for future debt and payments work, supported by in-house capability and a shared understanding of how to maintain quality at scale.

‍

A fragmented Alpha became a clear, reliable national service by bringing DWP teams into the heart of design, delivery and decision making, laying foundations they can now reuse across future debt programmes.

Our Impact

Restored confidence
Rebuilt data flows and validation so analysts could rely on outputs with 93% confidence.

Simplified complexity
Turned fragile, inconsistent pipelines into clear, repeatable processes that teams can support themselves.

A replicable model
Left DWP with reusable patterns and the capability to extend the service without supplier dependence.