The global skills and competency framework for the digital world

Levels of responsibility: 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.

Guidance notes

SFIA Levels represent levels of responsibility in the workplace. Each successive level describes increasing impact, responsibility and accountability.

  • Autonomy, influence and complexity are generic attributes that indicate the level of responsibility.
  • Business skills and behavioural factors describe the behaviours required to be effective at each level.
  • The knowledge attribute defines the depth and breadth of understanding required to perform and influence work effectively.

Understanding these attributes will help you get the most out of SFIA. They are critical to understanding and applying the levels described in the SFIA skill descriptions.

Autonomy

Follows instructions and works under close direction. Receives specific instructions and guidance, has work closely reviewed.

Influence

Works mostly on their own tasks and interacts with their immediate team only. Develops an understanding of how their work supports others.

Complexity

Performs routine activities in a structured environment.

Knowledge

Applies basic knowledge to perform routine, well-defined, predictable role-specific tasks.

Business skills / Behavioural factors

Decision-making
  • Uses little discretion in attending to enquiries.  
  • Is expected to seek guidance in unexpected situations. 
Planning
  • Confirms required steps for individual tasks.
Collaboration
  • Works mostly on their own tasks and interacts with their immediate team only. Develops an understanding of how their work supports others.
Problem-solving
  • Works towards understanding the issue and seeks assistance in resolving unexpected problems.  
Improvement mindset
  • Identifies opportunities for improvement in own tasks. Suggests basic enhancements when prompted.
Creativity

  • Participates in the generation of new ideas when prompted. 

Communication
  • Communicates with immediate team to understand and deliver on their assigned tasks. Observes, listens, and with encouragement, asks questions to seek information or clarify instructions.
Leadership
  • Proactively increases their understanding of their work tasks and responsibilities. 
Adaptability
  • Accepts change and is open to new ways of working.
Learning and development
  • Applies newly acquired knowledge to develop  skills for their role. Contributes to identifying own development opportunities. 
Digital mindset
  • Has basic digital skills to learn and use applications, processes and tools for their role. 
Security, privacy and ethics
  • Develops an understanding of the rules and expectations of their role and the organisation.