# UCDOps Manager

## The right UCD team, for the right phase, before you hire.

UCDOps Manager turns a project brief into a staffing plan mapped to GDS phases and DDaT roles, with effort, sequencing, and where an agent can help.

[Get this on Gumroad](https://2111537314989.gumroad.com/l/ucdops-manager) · [See the design](./anatomy)

## The problem
- Programmes staff discovery with designers and alpha with no researcher.
- UCD managers spend their days routing work instead of improving services.
- Effort estimates arrive without assumptions, so nobody can challenge them.

## What it does
- Classifies your work by GDS phase, with reasons
- Recommends lead and support roles per phase
- Estimates weeks and days, with every assumption shown
- Shows handoffs and dependencies between roles
- Says where an agent can draft and where a person must lead

## How it works
1. Get this on Gumroad and download the zip.
2. Unzip it into a project folder and open it in your AI tool.
3. Say `plan the UCD team for <brief>`.
4. It works one stage at a time and stops for your yes.

| Stage | You get, then approve |
|---|---|
| 1. Classify | Phase classification |
| 2. Map roles | Role mapping |
| 3. Estimate | Effort and sequencing |
| 4. Cover | Agent cover and gaps |

## Built to a standard
GDS phases and DDaT user-centred design roles. Every claim cites its source. Nothing is written to your tools without your approval.

## Who it is for
Programme managers, delivery managers and chief digital officers planning UK public sector programmes.

## What you need
- An AI tool that reads project instructions: Claude Code, Cursor, or a tool that reads AGENTS.md. Claude Projects and custom bots work too, with copy-and-paste outputs.
- Your own AI subscription or API key. Nothing to host.
- Optional connections: none needed.

## What is in the zip
| File | What it does |
|---|---|
| `00-root-instructions.md` | Who the agent is, the rules, the gates |
| `01-classify.md` | Stage 1: Classify |
| `02-roles.md` | Stage 2: Map roles |
| `03-effort.md` | Stage 3: Estimate |
| `04-cover.md` | Stage 4: Cover |
| `05-tools.md` | Connections and permissions |
| `06-manifest.md` | Which skill uses which tool |
| `07-adapters.md` | How to load it in your tool |
| `LICENCE.md` | What you may and may not do |
| `README.md` | Start here: set-up in two minutes |
| `guardrails.md` | Risks, controls and sign-off |
| `memory.md` | What is kept and where |
| `adapters/AGENTS.md` | Adapter for your AI tool |
| `adapters/CLAUDE.md` | Adapter for your AI tool |
| `adapters/chat-system-prompt.md` | Adapter for your AI tool |
| `adapters/ucdops-manager.mdc` | Adapter for your AI tool |
| `evals/eval-suite.md` | Tests and pass marks |
| `rules/agent-catalogue.md` | Standard the agent checks against |
| `rules/ddat-ucd-roles.md` | Standard the agent checks against |
| `rules/effort-ranges.md` | Standard the agent checks against |
| `rules/gds-phases.md` | Standard the agent checks against |
| `samples/01-benefits-discovery.md` | Synthetic sample input |
| `samples/02-licensing-alpha.md` | Synthetic sample input |
| `samples/03-portal-beta.md` | Synthetic sample input |

## Questions
**Does it book people?**
No. It recommends. You decide and commit.

**Can I change the effort ranges?**
Yes. They are a plain markdown file in the package.

**Does it need the other agents?**
No. It names them where they help, but works on its own.

**Can I change the files?**
Yes. They are plain markdown. The licence lets you adapt them for your own work.

## Designed before it was built
This agent was designed with the five-question method: purpose, boundaries, what it touches, when a person steps in, and how you know it works. [Read the design](./anatomy).

[Get this on Gumroad](https://2111537314989.gumroad.com/l/ucdops-manager)