A General Overview of the Professional Skills Within the SFIA Framework
If there’s an industry standard or framework for those
working in the fields of medicine, and engineering, then is there’s a
standardized framework for the information technology (IT) field? Well, the
answer to that query is yes, as there’s something called the SFIA Framework!
The SFIA stands for the Skills Framework for the Information Age, which
describes the skills and competencies that are needed or required by
professionals who work in IT and communication technology, digital
transformation and software engineering. Here’s a general overview of the professional skills within the sfia framework.
A Look at a Few of the Many Jobs/Tasks
That Use the SFIA Skills Definitions
According to experts, the professional skills within the sfia framework lists or defines the specific “skills”, with
each of them belonging to a very specific and defined granular skill. These
skills are then separated into categories and sub-categories.
Within each of the professional skills within the sfia framework, there’s a definition for all the relevant levels of
responsibility. However, while the subjective SFIA definitions paint a picture
of the expectations of someone who operates at certain levels of the Framework,
it should not be used as a checklist, and applicants need not meet all of the
requirements that are listed.
Here's a peek at a few of the jobs or tasks
that use the SFIA Skills Definitions:
Database/repository design
Category: Solution development and implementation ≥ Systems
development
The specification, design and maintenance of mechanisms for
storage and access to both structured and unstructured information, in support
of business information needs.
·
Database/repository design: Level
3CTech)
Develops specialist
knowledge of database concepts, object and data modelling techniques and design
principles. Translates object and data models into appropriate database schemas
within design constraints. Interprets installation standards to meet project
needs and produces database components as required. Evaluates potential
solutions, demonstrating, installing and commissioning selected products.
Programming/Software Development
Category: Solution development and implementation ≥ Systems development
The design, creation, testing and documenting of new and amended
programs for supplied specifications in accordance with agreed standards.
·
Programming/software development: Level 3 (CTech)
Develops, codes, tests, corrects
and documents moderately complex programs and program modifications from
supplied specifications, using agreed standards and tools. Conducts reviews of
supplied specification, with others as appropriate.
As I mentioned earlier, the specific IT skills which fall under the professional
skills within the sfia framework covers the entire spectrum of IT professional
roles, and it defines each of these within the same 7 levels of responsibility.
The net result is a matrix of skills on one
axis, and competencies on the other. Thus, an IT professional can easily
identify the skills which relate to their specialty or line of work, and it enables
them to identify or relate as to which competency they’re operating at.
For a better understanding or reference, you
can also view all the SFIA Level definitions on the SFIA Framework Reference
pdf online.
Comments
Post a Comment