Emerging technology monitoring EMRG

Identifying and assessing new and emerging technologies, products, services, methods and techniques.

Revision notes

Updates for SFIA 9

Theme(s) influencing the updates for this skill: Making SFIA easier to consume (enhance readability/guidance/descriptions).
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

This skill involves systematically tracking, assessing and reporting on emerging technologies and their potential impact on the organisation.

Activities may include, but are not limited to:

conducting regular technology landscape scans
evaluating potential benefits and risks of new technologies
preparing reports and briefings for stakeholders on emerging trends
recommending pilot projects or proofs of concept for promising technologies
collaborating with research and development (R&D) teams to explore innovative applications
attending industry conferences and engaging with technology vendors
developing frameworks for assessing technology readiness and organisational fit
advising on the strategic implications of adopting emerging technologies.

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

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.

Emerging technology monitoring: 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.

Supports monitoring of the external environment and assessment of emerging technologies.

Contributes to the creation of reports, technology roadmapping and the sharing of knowledge and insights.

Emerging technology monitoring: 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.

Monitors the external environment to gather intelligence on emerging technologies.

Assesses and documents the impacts, threats and opportunities to the organisation.

Creates reports and technology roadmaps and shares knowledge and insights with others.

Emerging technology monitoring: 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.

Plans and leads the identification and assessment of emerging technologies and the evaluation of potential impacts, threats and opportunities.

Creates technology roadmaps that align organisational plans with emerging technology solutions. Engages with, and influences, relevant stakeholders to obtain organisational commitment to technology roadmaps.

Develops organisational guidelines for monitoring emerging technologies.

Collaborates with internal and external parties to facilitate intelligence gathering.

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.

Guidance notes