The global skills and competency framework for the digital world

Systems integration and build SINT

Planning, implementing and controlling activities to integrate system elements, subsystems and interfaces to create operational systems, products or services.

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 (updates to skill name/skill description).
  • Content and/or readability changes have been made to levels 2 and 3.
  • 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

The scope of integration includes system elements, subsystems, interfaces and software components including computing, storage, networking and cloud services.

Systems integration is used to create systems for testing purposes as well as for operational use by customers and users.

Activities may include, but are not limited to:

  • developing organisational capabilities, processes and procedures for automation and continuous integration of build, packaging, testing, security and deployment
  • building and operating a continuous integration (CI) capability when required, employing version control of source code and related artefacts
  • ensuring security and privacy requirements are an essential part of systems integration and build
  • collaborating with development, testing and operations teams to streamline the integration process
  • testing, validation and sign off of integration to satisfy requirements, architectures and design
  • monitoring and controlling integration activities and recording and reporting on the results of integration
  • keeping stakeholders informed and providing feedback into risk management processes
  • developing and testing disaster recovery plans and applying incident management processes for major systems integrations.

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

Systems integration and build: 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.

Produces builds from system components using appropriate build automation tools and processes.

Conducts tests as defined in an integration test specification and records the details of any failures.

Analyses and reports on integration test activities and results. Identifies and reports issues and risks.

Systems integration and build: 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.

Defines the modules and components and dependencies needed for an integration build and produces a build definition. Accepts completed modules and components, checking that they meet defined criteria.

Produces builds from system components for loading onto target environments.

Configures the hardware, software and infrastructure environment as required by the system being integrated.

Produces integration test specifications, conducts tests and records and reports on outcomes. Diagnoses faults and documents the results of tests. Produces system integration reports.

Systems integration and build: 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.

Provides technical expertise to enable the configuration of system components and equipment for systems testing.

Collaborates with technical teams to develop and agree system integration plans and report on progress. Defines complex/new integration builds. Ensures integration test environments are correctly configured.

Designs, performs and reports results of tests of the integration build. Identifies and documents system integration components for recording in the configuration management system.

Recommends and implements improvements to processes and tools.

Systems integration and build: 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.

Plans and drives activities to develop organisational systems integration and build capabilities including automation and continuous integration.

Identifies, evaluates and manages the adoption of tools, techniques and processes to create a robust integration framework. Provides authoritative advice and guidance on any aspect of systems integration.

Leads integration work in line with the agreed system and service design. Assesses risks and takes preventative action. Measures and monitors applications of standards.

Contributes to the development of organisational policies, standards and guidelines for systems integration.

Systems integration and build: 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.

Leads the development of organisational systems integration and build capabilities including automation and continuous integration.

Develops organisational policies, standards and guidelines for systems integration and build.

Provides resources to ensure systems integration and build can operate effectively and ensures adoption and adherence to policies and standards.

Keywords
Small change