DfE Target Architecture
How teams should apply the target architecture
- Last reviewed
- 23 June 2026
- Owner
- Head of Architecture
When designing services, teams should apply the target architecture in line with the principles.
Principles
Look for existing engines first
Before building new capabilities, check whether an existing engine provides the functionality required.
Design capabilities for reuse
If new capabilities are needed, consider whether they should be implemented as a reusable engine rather than a service-specific component.
Separate user interfaces from core logic
User interfaces should focus on user experience, while business logic and operational data should be implemented within business engines or data engines.
Avoid duplicating operational data
Where a data engine exists, treat it as the authoritative source rather than creating separate copies of the same data.
Design modular services
Services should orchestrate capabilities provided by engines rather than tightly coupling logic within a single application.