Technology Readiness Level

The development journey of Ask:Enact, from evidence of need through to live operational use. Ask:Enact is currently assessed as TRL 6 - beyond proof of concept, with a working live system being tested by intended users in relevant service settings.

Recent development notes

Short product and build updates connected to the roadmap, testing status and movement towards controlled live use.

May 2026

Frontline workflow shaping

What changed: Testing and product decisions are being shaped around real frontline work, where time is limited and next steps need to be practical.

Why it matters: This keeps Ask:Enact focused on support that professionals can use during or immediately after a conversation.

Read full product update →

April 2026

Testing clarified the ask-to-act gap

What changed: Early testing highlighted that professionals are willing to ask about housing insecurity, but need clearer help on what to do next.

Why it matters: That feedback is guiding improvements to questions, guidance, risk prompts and action support.

Read full product update →

October 2025

Alpha testing began with Turning Point Scotland

What changed: Aberdeen-based practitioners began stress-testing the alpha build ahead of wider pilot activity.

Why it matters: Testing with intended users gives the product practical feedback before controlled live use.

Read full product update →

September 2025

Action plans added

What changed: Users can generate a practical action plan from a conversation and take the guidance away.

Why it matters: This helps staff use the output in notes, referrals or follow-up work after the conversation.

Read full product update →

View all updates →

TRL history and roadmap

Select a level to see what it means for Ask:Enact, the evidence gathered, and what is still required for future stages.

1 Need identified Oct 2024 2 Concept shaped Feb 2025 3 Early proof of concept May 2025 4 Internal validation Aug 2025 5 Prototype demo Dec 2025 6 Current testing May 2026 7 Controlled live use Jul 2026 8 Release-ready system Future 9 Proven live operation Future

TRL 1

Need identified

October 2024

Completed

Formal meaning

Basic principles observed

What it means for Ask:Enact

The need for Ask:Enact was identified through early evidence that frontline teams would need support to understand Ask and Act duties, recognise housing risk, and respond consistently.

Evidence

79% cited knowledge and training as a barrier to Ask and Act delivery
77% were unsure of referral pathways
90% highlighted uncertainty

Development note

This established the evidence base for a practical decision-support tool that could help staff move from early enquiry to clear action.

TRL 2

Concept shaped

February 2025

Completed

Formal meaning

Technology concept formulated

What it means for Ask:Enact

The concept was shaped around a prevention-focused decision-support platform. The system would use a conversational interface, trusted guidance, local pathways and service information to support frontline professionals.

Evidence

Product concept defined
Use case focused on housing insecurity and Ask and Act duties
Role clarified as supporting professional judgement, not replacing it

Development note

This stage turned the evidence of need into a practical product concept.

TRL 3

Early proof of concept

May 2025

Completed

Formal meaning

Experimental proof of concept

What it means for Ask:Enact

An early n8n prototype demonstrated that structured prevention guidance could be generated from a user scenario.

Evidence

n8n prototype video
Early workflow logic
Initial demonstration of scenario-based guidance

Development note

This showed that the idea could work in principle, but it was still an early proof of concept.

Watch n8n proof of concept

TRL 4

Internal validation

August 2025

Completed

Formal meaning

Technology validated in a lab environment

What it means for Ask:Enact

The system was tested internally using controlled scenarios to check prompts, outputs, workflows and reliability before wider user testing.

Evidence

Internal testing of prompts and outputs
Controlled scenario testing
Early refinement of interface and system behaviour

Development note

This stage helped move the product from an experimental workflow towards a more coherent prototype.

TRL 5

Prototype demo

December 2025

Completed

Formal meaning

Technology validated in a relevant environment

What it means for Ask:Enact

A more developed proof-of-concept demo showed how Ask:Enact could support realistic frontline-style housing risk enquiries.

Evidence

POC demo video
Realistic scenario testing with Turning Point Scotland
More developed interface and user flow

Development note

This demonstrated the system against more realistic use cases and helped evidence movement beyond a basic proof of concept.

Watch POC demo

TRL 6

Current testing

May 2026

Current level

Formal meaning

Prototype demonstrated in a relevant environment

What it means for Ask:Enact

Ask:Enact now has a working live system being tested by intended users in relevant service settings.

Evidence

Version 1 is live
Teams at Turning Point Scotland and Aberdeen Cyrenians are testing as subject matter experts
Focused testing with Police Scotland
Focus groups are planned for feedback before the Version 2 release in June
The system is not yet being used in live real-world casework

Development note

This is the current position. Ask:Enact has moved beyond proof of concept, but it should not yet be described as operationally proven.

TRL 7

Controlled live use

July 2026

Next milestone

Formal meaning

Prototype demonstrated in an operational environment

What it means for Ask:Enact

Ask:Enact would be used in controlled real frontline situations during normal work, with governance in place and learning gathered from actual operational use.

Evidence required

Controlled use during real frontline work
Governance and data protection arrangements in place
Feedback from live operational use
Evidence on usefulness, consistency and safety
Refinement based on live learning

Development note

This is the next major milestone. Reaching TRL 7 depends on controlled operational testing, not just more scenario testing.

TRL 8

Release-ready system

Future

Future scope

Formal meaning

System complete and qualified

What it means for Ask:Enact

Ask:Enact would be stable enough for planned wider rollout. UAT would be complete, known issues would be managed, and the support model would be clear.

Evidence required

UAT completed
Known issues logged and managed
Security, DPIA and governance positions clear
Training and support materials available
Release process in place
Deployment ready for more than one team or tenant

Development note

This stage is about readiness for managed rollout, not just technical completion.

TRL 9

Proven live operation

Future

Future scope

Formal meaning

Actual system proven in operational environment

What it means for Ask:Enact

Ask:Enact would be routinely used across live services, with evidence that it is reliable, useful, safe and adopted by users.

Evidence required

Routine use across live services
Evidence of reliability and adoption
Monitoring of outputs and user behaviour
Evidence of operational value
Ongoing governance and improvement process

Development note

This is the long-term operational maturity stage.

Current position

Ask:Enact is currently assessed as TRL 6. A working live system exists and is being tested by intended users in relevant service settings. The next step is controlled operational use, which would move the platform towards TRL 7. Work is also ongoing towards ISO 9001 and ISO 27001 compliance by December 2026.

What happens next

The next stage is to gather feedback from current testers, refine the system, complete the required governance work, and prepare for controlled live use in real frontline scenarios.

Back to homepage