Systems and software life cycle engineering SLEN

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Establishing and deploying an environment for developing, continually improving, and securely operating software and systems products and services.

SFIA 9 is in development

SFIA 9 beta due in early July 2024
SFIA 9 planned for publication October 2024

Guidance notes

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This skill is associated with interdisciplinary approaches to developing and operating software and systems products and services across the full life cycle. Typically, but not exclusively, labelled with terms such as DevOps, DevSecOps, site reliability engineering, developer productivity engineering.

Activities include, but are not limited to:

establishing secure and reliable software lifecycle principles and practices
developing a supporting framework of methods, procedures, techniques, tools, and people with required skills, knowledge and competencies
deploying and using this environment with the people and teams that are responsible for all systems and software life cycle engineering
building repeatable and reliable capabilities through a process of trial, feedback, learning and continual evolution
adapting working practices to the needs of specific products and services
defining, controlling and improving software life cycle processes
building in risk management, quality, security, privacy and safety
maximising the automation of activities
establishing software architecture and design principles to enable the desired life cycle processes
focusing on mission, value and customers
establishing a culture of collaboration, learning, knowledge management, adaptation and resilience
adopting and integrating appropriate industry frameworks to guide improvements.

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 reponsibilities.

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 with tasks (generic examples are provided by the essence statements for each level)

Where higher levels are not defined...

You can progress by developing related skills which are better suited to higher levels of organisational leadership.

Levels

Defined at these levels:

Click to learn why SFIA skills are not defined at all 7 levels.

Show/hide extra descriptions and levels.

Level 1

Level 1 - Follow: Essence of the level: Performs routine tasks under close supervision, follows instructions, and requires guidance to complete their work. Learns and applies basic skills and knowledge.

Level 2

Level 2 - Assist: Essence of the level: Provides assistance to others, works under routine supervision, and uses their discretion to address routine problems. Actively learns through training and on-the-job experiences.

Level 3

Level 3 - Apply: Essence of the level: Performs varied tasks, sometimes complex and non-routine, using standard methods and procedures. Works under general direction, exercises discretion, and manages own work within deadlines. Proactively enhances skills and impact in the workplace.

Systems and software life cycle engineering: Level 4

Level 4 - Enable: Essence of the level: Performs diverse complex activities, supports and supervises others, works autonomously under general direction, and contributes expertise to deliver team objectives.

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Elicits requirements for systems and software life cycle working practices and automation.

Prepares design options for the working environment of methods, procedures, techniques, tools, and people.

Selects systems and software life cycle working practices for software components and micro-services.

Deploys automation to achieve well-engineered and secure outcomes.

Systems and software life cycle engineering: Level 5

Level 5 - Ensure, advise: Essence of the level: Provides authoritative guidance in their field and works under broad direction. Accountable for achieving workgroup objectives and managing work from analysis to execution and evaluation.

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Collaborates with those responsible for ongoing systems and software life cycle management to select, adopt and adapt working practices.

Supports deployment of the working environment for systems and software life cycle working practices.

Provides effective feedback to encourage development of the individuals and teams responsible for systems and software life cycle working practices. Provides guidance and makes suggestions to support continual improvement and learning approach.

Contributes to identifying new domains within the organisation where systems and software life cycle working practices can be deployed.

Systems and software life cycle engineering: Level 6

Level 6 - Initiate, influence: Essence of the level: Has significant organisational influence, makes high-level decisions, shapes policies, demonstrates leadership, fosters organizational collaboration, and accepts accountability in key areas.

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Obtains organisational commitment to strategies to deliver systems and software life cycle working practices to achieve business objectives.

Works with others to integrate organisational policies, standards and techniques across the full software and systems life cycle.

Develops and deploys the working environment supporting systems and software life cycle practices for strategic, large and complex products and services.

Leads activities to manage risks associated with systems and software life cycle working practices. Plans and manages the evaluation or assessment of systems and software life cycle working practices

Systems and software life cycle engineering: Level 7

Level 7 - Set strategy, inspire, mobilise: Essence of the level: Operates at the highest organisational level, determines overall organisational vision and strategy, and assumes accountability for overall success.

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Represents and leads systems and software life cycle working practices at the highest level in the organisation.

Identifies opportunities for innovation in systems and software life cycle working practices to achieve organisational goals and objectives.

Leads the essential cultural and environmental changes and communicates the benefits to all stakeholders.

Oversees the quality of the work performed and delivers measurable business benefits.