The global skills and competency framework for the digital world

Network design NTDS

Designing communication networks to meet business requirements, ensuring scalability, reliability, security and alignment with strategic objectives.

Revision notes

Updates for SFIA 9

  • Theme(s) influencing the updates for this skill: Application of SFIA skills for cloud-based working, Making SFIA easier to consume (enhance readability/guidance/descriptions), Making SFIA easier to consume (new levels), Making SFIA easier to consume (updates to skill name/skill description).
  • New level 2 added to support entry-level roles.
  • Readability improvements have been made to levels 3 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 are not impacted by this change.

Guidance notes

Network design covers all aspects of the communications infrastructure, including, but not limited to: networks that are wired or wireless, digital or analogue, virtual or physical, local area, wide area, mobile/cellular and any other defined protocols and scales of operation. In the cloud context, network design also includes designing virtual network topologies, hybrid cloud connectivity and leveraging cloud-native networking services to ensure scalability, security and performance. 

Activities may include, but are not limited to:

  • analysing business requirements and translating them into network design specifications
  • designing network topologies, security measures and connectivity solutions for various environments
  • defining network configurations and policies using code
  • planning for network scalability, redundancy and high availability, including in cloud-based networks
  • defining network infrastructure as code to enable automation and streamline provisioning and management
  • designing disaster recovery and business continuity solutions to ensure network resilience and minimise downtime
  • collaborating with stakeholders to ensure network designs align with business objectives and industry standards.

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.

Show/hide extra descriptions and levels.

Levels of responsibility for this skill

2 3 4 5 6

Network design: 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.

Assists with defining configurations for networks and network components under routine supervision.

Follows established network architectures, standards, and security protocols.

Assists in documenting network configurations and producing detailed network specifications under guidance, incorporating relevant security aspects.

Network design: 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.

Specifies the technical configurations and components required for a small network or a network segment in a more complex infrastructure.

Follows organisational architectures, standards, and security guidelines.

Network design: Level 4

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

Designs specific network components using agreed architectures, design standards, patterns and methodology.

Translates logical designs into physical designs that meet specified operational parameters for capacity and performance.

Reviews and verifies network designs against non-functional requirements, including validation and error correction procedures, access, security and audit controls.

Contributes to the development of recovery routines and contingency procedures. Contributes to alternative network architectures, networking topologies and design options.

Network design: Level 5

Level 5 - Ensure, advise: Essence of the level: Provides authoritative guidance in their field and works under broad direction. Accountable for delivering significant work outcomes, from analysis through execution to evaluation.

Produces, or approves network providers', network architectures, topologies and configuration databases for own area of responsibility.

Specifies design parameters for network connectivity, capacity, speed, interfacing, security and access, in line with business requirements.

Assesses network-related risks and specifies recovery routines and contingency procedures.

Creates multiple design views to address the different stakeholders' concerns and to handle both functional and non-functional requirements.

Network design: Level 6

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

Takes responsibility for major aspects of network specification, standards, technologies and overall network design models within the organisation.

Produces network design policies, principles and criteria covering connectivity, capacity, interfacing, security, resilience, recovery and access.

Develops and drives adoption of and adherence to organisational policies, standards, guidelines and methods for network design.

Keywords
Small change New level