The global skills and competency framework for the digital world

Portfolio, programme and project support PROF

Providing support and guidance on portfolio, programme and project management processes, procedures, tools 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).
  • Content and/or readability changes have been made to levels 2, 3, and 4.
  • 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

Activities may include, but are not limited to:

  • support the definition of portfolios, programmes and projects
  • cultivating and applying new or changed working practices across a portfolio
  • managing the rate at which new projects are started to fit the available capacity
  • advising on the development, production and maintenance of business cases time, resource, cost and exception plans
  • advising on the use of software tools
  • tracking and reporting progress and performance 
  • facilitating portfolio/programme/project meetings and workshops
  • advising and sharing knowledge on standards and how to comply.

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

Portfolio, programme and project support: 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 the compilation of reports for projects, programmes, or portfolios.

Maintains programme and project files from supplied actual and forecast data.

Works under supervision to support the administrative needs of project teams, contributing to routine project activities.

Portfolio, programme and project support: 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.

Provides foundational support for projects, programmes, or portfolios.

Assists with planning, scheduling, tracking and reporting using established tools and processes. Follows recommended solutions to ensure accurate documentation and communication of project progress.

Collaborates closely with project teams and stakeholders, gathering updates and information to maintain project records and ensure alignment with project objectives.

Participates in project boards, assurance teams and quality review meetings when necessary.

Portfolio, programme and project support: 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 programme or project control boards, project assurance teams and quality review meetings.

Takes responsibility for the provision of support services to projects. Uses project control solutions for planning, scheduling and tracking. Sets up and provides guidance on project management software, procedures, processes, tools and techniques.

Provides basic guidance on project proposals. May provide views across projects on topics such as risk, quality, finance, or configuration management.

Works closely with project boards and review meetings, contributing actively to discussions and decisions.

Portfolio, programme and project support: 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.

Takes responsibility for the provision of portfolio, programme and project support.

Advises on the available standards, procedures, methods, tools and techniques.

Evaluates project and/or programme performance and recommends changes where necessary.

Contributes to reviews and audits of project and programme management to ensure conformance to standards.

Portfolio, programme and project support: 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 implementation and delivery of portfolio, programme and project office services.

Defines the approach/policy and sets standards for the support provided for managing and monitoring portfolios, programmes, and projects.

Manages resources to ensure delivery of effective services/resources in line with current and planned demand.

Reviews and improves the delivery portfolio, programme and project office services.

Keywords
Small change