Service acceptance SEAC
Managing the process to obtain formal confirmation that service acceptance criteria have been met.
Revision notes
Updates for SFIA 9
- Theme(s) influencing the updates for this skill: Making SFIA easier to consume (enhance readability/guidance/descriptions), Making SFIA easier to consume (new levels).
- A new level has been added at level 3.
- Content changes have been made to levels 4, 5, and 6.
- You can move to SFIA 9 when you are ready - SFIA 8 skill descriptions will still be available to use.
- Previous SFIA assessments or skills mapping may be impacted by this change.
Guidance notes
Service acceptance criteria are used to ensure a service meets the defined service requirements, including functionality, operational support, performance, safety, security and quality requirements. Acceptance criteria include both utility/functional and warranty/non-functional tests.
Activities may include, but are not limited to:
- defining and documenting service acceptance criteria
- conducting service acceptance testing and evaluating test results against defined criteria
- ensuring the service provider is ready to operate the new service when it has been deployed
- providing feedback to service providers on necessary improvements
- documenting and reporting on service acceptance outcomes
- ensuring operational readiness for new or changed services
- implementing service acceptance practices to support iterative/agile working
- engaging with stakeholders to validate service readiness such as, but not limited to: external service providers, technical design, software development, DevOps and project management.
Understanding the responsibility levels of this skill
Where lower levels are not defined...
- Specific tasks and responsibilities are not defined because the skill requires a higher level of autonomy, influence, and complexity in decision-making than is typically expected at these levels. You can use the essence statements to understand the generic responsibilities associated with these levels.
Where higher levels are not defined...
- Responsibilities and accountabilities are not defined because these higher levels involve strategic leadership and broader organisational influence that goes beyond the scope of this specific skill. See the essence statements.
Developing skills and demonstrating responsibilities related to this skill
The defined levels show the incremental progression in skills and responsibilities.
Where lower levels are not defined...
You can develop your knowledge and support others who do have responsibility in this area by:
- Learning key concepts and principles related to this skill and its impact on your role
- Performing related skills (see the related SFIA skills)
- Supporting others who are performing higher level tasks and activities
Where higher levels are not defined...
- You can progress by developing related skills which are better suited to higher levels of organisational leadership.
Click to learn why SFIA skills are not defined at all 7 levels.
Show/hide extra descriptions and levels.
Levels of responsibility for this skill
| 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
Level 1
Level 2
Service acceptance: Level 3
Applies standard service acceptance criteria and participates in service acceptance testing.
Collaborates with delivery teams to ensure service deliverables meet the required standards.
Documents and communicates the outcomes of service acceptance activities.
Identifies and reports issues or non-conformances, assisting with their resolution.
Service acceptance: Level 4
Engages with delivery teams to confirm that products developed meet the service acceptance criteria and are to the required standard.
Assesses risks related to service acceptance and suggests actions to address identified risks.
Facilitates the communication of acceptance criteria across teams to maintain alignment and consistency throughout the process.
Provides input into change control processes.
Service acceptance: Level 5
Engages with delivery teams to ensure correct products are produced in a timely fashion.
Leads the assessment of complex or critical service deliverables, ensuring they meet both current and future operational needs. Leads comprehensive risk evaluations identifying and prioritising risks that may impact service readiness.
Provides authoritative advice on service acceptance practices. Provides recommendations for enhancing service readiness and improving service acceptance processes.
Evaluates the quality of project outputs against agreed service acceptance criteria.
Service acceptance: Level 6
Develops the organisation's approach for service acceptance, owns the transition process and defines the acceptance criteria for service transitions.
Ensures risk management activities are aligned with the organisation's broader risk management framework. Promotes and monitors project quality outputs to ensure they are fit for purpose and fit for use within operational services.
Actively engages with stakeholders to promote awareness and compliance with service transition quality plans and processes.
Agrees the service acceptance criteria with delivery teams.