MOD Crest
AOF Acquisition Operating Framework

The high level principles and information that guide how the UK MOD Defence Acquisition Community works

version 3.1.1 – September 2010

Content

The Acquisition Operating Framework (AOF)

What is the AOF ?

The AOF provides a structured source of information, guidance and instruction for everyone who works in acquisition, whether they are MOD or Industry. Put simply, it is a set of documents that explain how we do our business.

Why do we need an AOF ?

The AOF aims to helps us continually improve the consistency of acquisition performance.

Having a clear source of advice, which brings together all of the relevant information, guidance and instruction, will:

  • Improve the delivery of capability to the front line.
  • Provide better value for money for the tax payer.

The AOF will also:

  • Support the Defence Values for Acquisition (DVfA)
  • Enable improved speed of responsiveness of decision making
  • Establish a strong professional doctrine for the acquisition community
  • Define the obligations of organisations and individuals in the acquisition community
  • Improve our approach to 'Learning from Experience' to ensure regular assessment and improvement to embed best practice.

Where does the AOF fit in ?

How is the AOF Structured ?

The AOF consists of:

  • The Strategic Guide to Acquisition which defines acquisition, how it works and provides the high level context for how it contributes to the Defence Vision. It provides a good source of information for new users and gives the ‘big picture’.
  • Sections which provide greater detail on:
    • Acquisition Organisations – our organisational structures, roles and responsibilities.
    • Acquisition People – how we manage and develop our people.
    • Acquisition Business – the information, guidance and instruction that set out how we conduct acquisition business.
  • A Good Practice Area which provides working examples of how acquisition policy, guidance and information are being or have been used to good effect in the delivery of a product, service or capability.

Does the AOF have a formal governance process ?

The AOF has a clearly defined governance process, the purpose of which is to ensure there is a clear management structure and lines of accountability for the ownership and sustainment of the AOF.

You can find more information by visiting the AOF Governance page.

How is the AOF being improved ?

The AOF achieved Full Operating Capability in April 2010 and entered an enduring phase of ‘operations and continuous improvement’.

We will continue to actively check whether the AOF fully delivers what the Acquisition Community requires through:

  • Usage Rates
  • Customer Surveys
  • Peer reviews
  • Feedback
  • Awareness.

The feedback and knowledge we obtain will be used to further improve the AOF.

How can I provide feedback ?

We are continually building and improving the AOF on behalf of all our users, and are always grateful to receive your feedback.

We obtain customer feedback in a number of ways:

  • We hold an annual Customer Satisfaction Survey and invite users to give us their views on whether the AOF fully satisfies the needs of the Acquisition Community.
  • Via telephone; from our customers.
  • Via the AOF; through the Feedback button on the main site and other Tactical Sites.
  • From Our Content Owners and Points of Contact.

The results from these activities are used to improve and enhance the AOF.

Please take advantage of the opportunities to provide us feedback:

  • Use the feedback button on the front page
  • Email: DESPTG-AOFTeam@mod.uk.
  • Call the AOF team on +44 (0) 1225 883047 (Mil: 9355 83047).

What are the viewing statistics for the AOF ?

Usage Statistics for the AOF are available covering an overall breakdown of pages viewed on the Intranet [19KB PDF], as well as a breakdown of Tactical Site pages viewed [19KB PDF].

Who can I ask for more information ?

For more information about specific subject matter, refer to the contact details provided on each page. A full list of owners and contact details for all AOF content is also provided.

If you require more general information, contact the AOF team on:

Contacts

Owner

Post
Director Programmes and Technology Group

Point of Contact

Post Email Phone
Acquisition Operating Framework Operations Lead DESPTG-AOF-OperationLead@mod.uk
  • Mil: 9679 34157
  • Civ: +44 (0) 30 679 34157
Change History

Change History

The AOF was updated to Version 3.0.0 on 1st April 2010. Individual document Change History pages will detail any changes other than minor editorial amendments.

1 April 2010
Contact details updated.
1 February 2010
Further Information Point of Contact changed.
Reference to AMS removed and other minor editorial amendments.
1 December 2009
Brought up to date and Minor amendments made following Plain English review.
1 June 2009
Owner details updated.
1 October 2008
Slight amendment to existing content, in line with updated AOF programme.
1 April 2008
Information updated due to first full release of Tactical layer information.
1 October 2007
Existing content amended and expanded.
1 June 2007
Contact names deleted due to IAW DDefSy Hd InfoSy Pol advice with regards to potential Security and Data Protection Act issues.