Governance GOVN
Defining and operating a framework for making decisions, managing stakeholder relationships, and identifying legitimate authority.
Updates for SFIA 9
- There is an updated version of this skill for SFIA 9.
- Theme(s) influencing the updates for this skill: 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 level 7.
- 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
Governance can be applied to specific activities or may be a single integrated framework across an organisation.
Specialisms include — but are not limited to — security, information, technology, architectures, enterprise IT, service management.
An organisation’s obligations may be external or internal including — but not limited to — legislative, regulatory, contractual and adherence to agreed standards/policies or ethical frameworks.
Activities may include — but are not limited to:
- defining and operating the system of rules, practices, and processes by which an organisation makes decisions, manages stakeholders’ relationships, and identifies legitimate authority
- determining how to direct, evaluate and monitor an organisation’s activities
- developing and operating strategic and operational frameworks, policies, decision-making, business processes and plans to meet stakeholder requirements.
Governance is explicitly referenced in many SFIA skills. Professionals may contribute specialist knowledge to governance processes, reviews and developments — but that does not imply they need the SFIA skill of Governance.
Levels of responsibility for this skill
| 6 | 7 |
Governance: Levels 1-5
This skill is not typically observed or practiced at these levels of responsibility and accountability.
Governance: Level 6
Implements the governance framework to enable governance activity to be conducted.
Within a defined area of accountability, determines the requirements for appropriate governance reflecting the organisation's values, ethics and wider governance frameworks. Communicates delegated authority, benefits, opportunities, costs, and risks.
Leads reviews of governance practices with appropriate and sufficient independence from management activity.
Acts as the organisation's contact for relevant regulatory authorities and ensures proper relationships between the organisation and external stakeholders.
Governance: Level 7
Directs the definition, implementation, and monitoring of the governance framework to meet the organisation’s obligations under regulation, law, or contracts.
Provides leadership, direction, and oversight for an organisation’s governance activities.
Secures resources required to execute activities to achieve the organisation’s governance goals with effective transparency.
Provides assurance to stakeholders that the organisation can deliver its obligations with an agreed balance of benefits, opportunities, costs, and risks.