The global skills and competency framework for the digital world

Business modelling BSMO

Creating abstract or distilled models of business scenarios, representing processes, data and roles to support decision-making and analysis.

Revision notes

Updates for SFIA 9

  • Theme(s) influencing the updates for this skill: Making SFIA easier to consume (enhance readability/guidance/descriptions).
  • Readability improvements have been made to levels 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6.
  • 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

Predominantly focused on the representation of processes, roles, data, organisation and time. Models may be used to represent a subject at varying levels of detail and decomposition.

Business models are typically created to communicate and provide insights into existing, conceptual or proposed scenarios. As such, they are likely to be working models that allow comparisons of alternative outcomes based on changing inputs and parameters.

Activities may include, but are not limited to:

  • gathering and analysing business requirements
  • creating visual representations of business workflows, processes and structures
  • developing and testing simulation models
  • facilitating workshops to validate and refine models
  • presenting models to stakeholders and explaining their implications.

This skill shouldn't be applied to the creation of all diagrams related to describing and explaining business concepts. Refer to other SFIA skills, including, but not limited to: Business situation analysis, Business process improvement, Data design and modelling, Enterprise and business architecture, Organisation design. 

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

Business modelling: 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 in creating models for simple, well-defined business scenarios under guidance.

Uses established techniques, as directed, to model simple subject areas with clearly-defined boundaries.

Supports more complex modelling activities under the guidance of others by organising information and helping to apply relevant techniques.

Business modelling: 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.

Produces models for straightforward business scenarios with clear boundaries, selecting suitable techniques to meet assigned objectives.

Engages with subject matter experts to ensure models are accurate and meet business requirements. Applies established techniques to meet objectives, modelling business processes, roles and data.

Collaborates with stakeholders to address issues and ensure models provide clarity and insight.

Tests models and makes improvements as needed, ensuring accuracy and relevance to the business context.

Business modelling: 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.

Develops models for complex and ambiguous business scenarios.

Selects appropriate techniques and approaches to ensure models capture the necessary business elements. Independently plans modelling activities, ensuring alignment with business objectives.

Collaborates with operational stakeholders to validate and refine models based on feedback, and to gain agreement on modelling results and their implications.

Advises stakeholders interpreting and applying models for decision-making and business improvements.

Business modelling: 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.

Manages the development of models that support strategic business objectives.

Works on complex and ambiguous scenarios, applying advanced techniques and methods. Creates bespoke models for non-standard contexts and ensures their alignment with overall business strategy.

Ensures the quality of business modelling work.

Engages and collaborates with a wide range of stakeholders providing guidance on selecting and applying appropriate modelling techniques. Influences decision-making by presenting models that highlight key business insights.

Business modelling: 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.

Defines organisational standards for business modelling, ensuring models align with strategic business objectives.

Oversees the creation and maintenance of models across multiple functions and departments, ensuring they are used effectively.

Leads organisation-wide initiatives to improve business modelling, introducing new techniques where necessary.

Engages with senior stakeholders to gain agreement on strategic models and the decisions they inform.

Keywords
Guidance notes Small change