Understanding SFIA

 

sfia levels UK (skills framework for the information age) is an easy to use common reference model to describe the professional skills of people who are into information technologies at various levels of competence.

 

In another perspective, it is a practical resource for people who manage or work in or around information and communication technologies, digital transformation, cyber security, software engineering, and other technology-dependent specialties.

 

It provides a framework of professional skills on one axis and seven levels of responsibility on the other. Moreover, it describes the levels of responsibility, in terms of the generic attributes of Autonomy, Influence, Complexity, Knowledge and Business Skills.

 

Common language

It provides individuals and organizations a common language for defining skills and expertise consistently. It includes people doing the work, and people in supporting roles such as human resources, learning and development, organization design, and procurement.

 

sfia levels UK also helps in solving common translation issues that slows down communication. This helps smooth out effective partnerships within organizations and multi-disciplinary teams.

The use of clear language, avoiding technical jargon and acronyms, makes sfia levels UK accessible to all involved.

 

Use

SFIA is used for the simple reason that it is completely flexible and fit in seamlessly with a user’s established ways of working. This use can be implemented across multiple industries and organizational types.

 

It can be used on a number of design principles that have persisted throughout all the versions of SFIA.  It does not define a fixed methodology or prescribe organizational structures, roles or jobs.

 

The provision is simply to provide clear descriptions of skills and levels of responsibility.

 

Key design principles

The SFIA is straightforward, generic and universally applicable, since it is applicable to all sectors.

 

It is an experience-based framework where an individual has a particular competence because he has demonstrated a level of responsibility. Likewise, he also had practiced a number of skills at the required levels in real world situations.

 

2000 and beyond

SFIA was formally launched in 2000, although its origins can be traced far longer 80’s) than that with a number of collaborative skills and competency projects.

 

It has brought together the global community to develop and maintain the Framework for the benefit of all. SFIA had evolved and become the globally accepted common language for various skills and competencies.

 

Collaboration

These are all related to information and communication technologies, digital transformation, cyber security and software engineering.

 

These had led to the formation of not-for-profit SFIA Foundation, which ensures SFIA is available to the international user base.

 

World open consultation

The setup had remained collaboration through a global open consultation process. The collaboration came from people with real practical experience of developing and managing skills.

 

They collaborate with the other competences in the corporate world, the public sector and the educational environments. The thinking is that it is created by industry and business for industry and business.

 

The SFIA is also regularly updated frequently in order to remain relevant and aligned with the needs of industry and business and current thinking. These components set SFIA apart from other frameworks.

 

The results are that it is now adopted by governments, corporate organizations and individuals in almost 200 countries.