The global skills and competency framework for the digital world

Database design DBDS

(unchanged)

Specifying, designing and maintaining mechanisms for storing and accessing data.

SFIA 9 is in development

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

This is a prototype for SFIA 9. It is subject to change before publication.

Moving to SFIA 9

  • New level 2 added to support entry-level roles
  • Guidance notes and level descriptions have been updated to provide contemporary view of this skill including cloud services
  • SFIA 8 skill descriptions will remain available for you to use
  • Previous SFIA assessments are not impacted by this change

Guidance notes

(modified)

Activities may include, but are not limited to:

  • designing operational databases, data warehouses, data lakes, or data stores for on-premise, cloud-based, or hybrid environments
  • defining physical or virtual structures required to support applications, analytics, machine learning, business intelligence or other data-driven services
  • designing operational data stores to integrate data from multiple sources to support data pipelines and enable additional operations on the data
  • aligning designs with data architectures, enterprise architectures, standards, policies, and regulations
  • considering scalability, performance, availability, recovery, and other operational requirements.

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: 2 3 4 5

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.

Database 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.

(new)

Assists in the creation and documentation of detailed database designs under routine supervision.

Follows established procedures and guidelines.

Helps create and maintain documentation.

Database 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.

(unchanged)

Interprets installation standards to meet project needs and produces database or data warehouse component specifications.

Develops appropriate physical database or data warehouse design elements, within set policies, to meet data requirements.

Database design: 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.

(unchanged)

Implements physical database designs to support transactional data requirements for performance and availability.

Develops and maintains specialist knowledge of database and data warehouse concepts, design principles, architectures, software and facilities.

Assesses proposed changes to object/data structures and evaluates alternative options.

Implements data warehouse designs that support demands for business intelligence and data analytics.

Database design: 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.

(unchanged)

Provides specialist expertise in the design characteristics of database management systems or data warehouse products/services.

Provides expert guidance in the selection, provision and use of database and data warehouse architectures, software and facilities.

Ensures that physical database design policy supports transactional data requirements for performance and availability.

Ensures that data warehouse design policy supports demands for business intelligence and data analytics.

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.

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.

Keywords
New level