The global skills and competency framework for the digital world

Change requests

Add and review requests to change SFIA definitions or coverage.

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  • Align the new bid and proposal skill levels to the APMP/APMG certifications 0 #1561 11 Jan 2026

    There are existing certifications for bid and proposal people, so aligning the new skills (which is a great idea) would be good.

  • Please add "Service Architecture" as a skill 0 #1559 11 Jan 2026

    Service architecture is a skill practised by service architects, whose primary objective is to design all of the service management required for a new or changed service to become operational and supportable.

  • Expand sourcing to non-RFx methods 0 #1542 11 Jan 2026

    Use of RFPs, RFI, etc is very formal. A lot of sourcing doesn't require this level of formality.

  • Updated guidance for Service Level Management (SLMO) 0 #1540 11 Jan 2026

    Reduce the formality of SLAs in SLMO. "Service expectations" for example are used in some organisations which are typically less formal/robust

  • Do we need a facilities/OT/data center design skill? 0 #1539 11 Jan 2026

    We have faciliaties mangement, but not a design skill

  • Confirm interaction of Service Acceptance (SEAC) with other process skills 0 #1538 11 Jan 2026

    Clarify intended interaction of RELM, CHMG, SEAC, as they seem to overlap unnecessarily

  • Confirm interaction of Change Control (CHMG) with other process skills 0 #1537 11 Jan 2026

    Clarify intended interaction of RELM, CHMG, SEAC, as they seem to overlap unnecessarily

  • Confirm interaction of Release and Deployment (RELM) with other process skills and HSIN 0 #1536 11 Jan 2026

    Clarify intended interaction of RELM, CHMG, SEAC, HSIN - RELM, CHMG, SEAC in particular seem to overlap unnecessarily

  • Improved guidance for Systems Installation and Removal (HSIN) 0 #1535 11 Jan 2026

    HSIN seems to cover the work of packaging and software virtualisation, but it's difficult to see this in the skill guidance or level descriptions

  • Is Radio Frequency Engineering (RFEN) too broad? 0 #1526 11 Jan 2026

    Do we need to split up RFEN?

  • Update level 5 of Organisational Capability Development (OCDV) 0 #1516 11 Jan 2026

    Better alignment to Levels of responsibility needed

  • Remove methods/tools from Portfolio, Programme and Project Support (PROF) 0 #1511 11 Jan 2026

    Remove the overlap with METL

  • Better level descriptiors for Project Management (PRMG) 0 #1510 11 Jan 2026

    We need better ways to distinguished the levels of project management.

  • Add level 5 for Programme Management (PGMG) and clarify project vs programme 0 #1509 11 Jan 2026

    Recognise smaller scope programmes and clarify which model or models SFIA is leaning on.

  • Update level 3 description for Quality Management (QUMG) 0 #1505 11 Jan 2026

    Update level 3 description for Quality Management (QUMG)

  • Clarify architecture input from Information Security (SCTY) skill 0 #1504 11 Jan 2026

    Should references to architecture input be left out of the Information Security (SCTY) skill?

  • Update to clarify levels for Continuity Management (COPL) 0 #1503 11 Jan 2026

    Some level descriptions for Continuity Management (COPL) don't seem to align to the levels of responsibility

  • Add level 3 description for Investment Appraisal (INVA) 0 #1502 11 Jan 2026

    Lower level of analysis/review needed

  • New skill for audio-visual systems support 0 #1497 11 Jan 2026

    Existing skills don't cover support activities for complicated AV systems (e.g. lecture theatres, medical imaging environments, conferencing environments)

  • New skill for audio-visual systems design 0 #1496 11 Jan 2026

    Existing skills don't cover design activities for complicated AV systems (e.g. lecture theatres, medical imaging environments, conferencing environments)

  • Refocus Performance Management (PEMT) on managing staff (which includes employees and contractors) 0 #1493 11 Jan 2026

    Performance Management (PEMT) has too much staff development responsibility to be appropriate for the management of contractors, but otherwise seems to cover the responsibility for performance. Move the staff development references to PDSV and refocus PEMT on performance management

  • New skills for Customer/Client Management (or more generically Contract Management) 0 #1489 11 Jan 2026

    We don't currently have a skill for a supplier to use to manage their customer/client. This might the reverse side of the SUPP and ITCM skill from the supplier point of view.

  • New skill for Purchasing 0 #1488 11 Jan 2026

    General purchasing is not well covered by SORC, SUPP, ITCM but is a common activity with different levels of responsibility

  • New skill for Service Design 0 #1485 11 Jan 2026

    What we decided:

    SFIA 10 - Service design - comprehensive mapping, guidance on Service design in SFIA

  • New skill for Communications Management 0 #1484 11 Jan 2026

    Separate from RLMT and INCA - this skill would be for those who craft and manage the delivery of communications.

  • New skill for Operations Technology 0 #1483 11 Jan 2026

  • Review the new controls in ISO27001:2022 0 #1470 11 Jan 2026

    There are 11 new controls introduced in ISO27001:2022 some of which are new to SFIA.

  • IT service experience skills 0 #1458 11 Jan 2026

    Given the increasing impact of IT services on people and their business, people involved in providing and consuming IT services should have skills for influencing how IT services are experienced. About half of the current SFIA 9 skills address areas related to IT service experience and could be enha…

    What we decided:

    Measurement MEAS was updated

  • New Skill - PCB Layout Design 0 #1457 11 Jan 2026

    A request of a new skill of PCB Layout Design . This is seen as more specific for hardware designers - requested.

  • Add Fraud Prevention/Mitigation and Handling Skills (requested on behalf of UK Home Office Contact) 0 #1453 11 Jan 2026

    Details to follow ...

  • Smart Systems 0 #1389 11 Jan 2026

    Include 'Smart Systems' in the SFIA theme, 'Artificial intelligence and machine learning skills'.

    What we decided:

    RESD for SFIA 9 references intelligent systems.

    We will retain this change request (as deferred) so that we can keep smart systems under review and decide if additional skills, guidance notes etc are required.

    • Can fit with the review of Systems engineering also.

  • DGFS level 7 - for development? 0 #1380 11 Jan 2026

    more senior Digital Forensics skills that provide an external commentary, policy making or expert witness role.

    What we decided:

    "An expert witness, particularly in common law countries such as the United Kingdom, Australia, and the United States, is a person whose opinion by virtue of education, training, certification, skills or experience, is accepted by the judge as an expert. The judge may consider the witness's specialized (scientific, technical or other) opinion about evidence or about facts before the court within the expert's area of expertise, to be referred to as an "expert opinion". Expert witnesses may also deliver "expert evidence" within the area of their expertise. Their testimony may be rebutted by testimony from other experts or by other evidence or facts. "

    Source https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Expert_witness

    This does imply something beyond a SFIA level 5 - it implies the expertise is recognised outside the organisation and in fact enough to influence/determine legal proceedings.

    Defer to see if there is industry demand for this level of expertise to be reflected in SFIA descriptions.

  • Add a new skill “Cloud Engineering” at levels 4,5 and 6 0 #1355 11 Jan 2026

    Over the last years Cloud engineering emerged as a new field of engineering that focuses on cloud services, such as "software as a service", "platform as a service", and "infrastructure as a service". The term of cloud engineering is at least ten years old. Extensive research has been conducted on s…

    What we decided:

    Currently cloud is referred explicitly or implicitly in a number of SFIA skills - such as Solution architecture, Systems design, IT infrastructure. There maybe opportunities to increase references in relevant skills. 

    For SFIA 9 - the design choice was between...

    1. adding new cloud-named skills versus 
    2. cloud being a specific application of a number of SFIA  8 skill

    Option 2 was chosen for SFIA 9 - but this CR is being kept in the deferred list to be re-visited for future SFIA updates.

  • Role of embedded systems and edge processing design 0 #1344 11 Jan 2026

    Embedded systems design and peculiarities of edge processing must reflect at level 5 at least.

    What we decided:

    Retain this CR so we can monitor developments to see whether this justifies a separate SFIA skill or additional guidance notes.

  • Role for edge processing system design and development 0 #1342 11 Jan 2026

    Skills related to design of edge processing systems should be part of embedded systems design.

    What we decided:

    Keep a watching brief to see whether edge systems are a specific type of system and so - for example - can be addressed by knowledge of edge systems used in combination with skills such as Solution architecture, Systems design, Systems installation, Hardware design, IT infrastructure,. Network design

  • Software Engineering Economics 0 #1320 11 Jan 2026

    Introduction of an additional skill covering economics and estimation at levels 2 to 6, separate from Systems Development Management (DLMG) and considering SWEBOK 3.0 Chapter 12

    What we decided:

    Retain this CR so we can monitor developments to see whether this justifies a separate SFIA skill.

  • Sustainability – Software Engineering 0 #1319 11 Jan 2026

    Expand the scope of this skill to embody the software engineering related aspects of energy consumption, expanding the descriptions for application at Levels 2 and 3

    What we decided:

    Retain this CR so we can monitor developments to see whether this justifies a separate SFIA skill or additional guidance notes.

  • Consider splitting skills descriptions (and level descriptions) into atomic sentences 0 #1317 11 Jan 2026

    Some approaches to assessment of competence against SFIA look for evidence of repeated, successful application of a proportion of the facets of a skill. However, some skill / level descriptions are single paragraphs. It would support such assessment approaches if the skill descriptions published i…

    What we decided:

    include in review  of SFIA document/web page design for SFIA 9.

  • Alignment with ISCO-08 0 #1313 11 Jan 2026

    Consideration should be given to the relationship between SFIA and ISCO-08. the International Standard Classification of Occupations.

    What we decided:

    A mapping to ISCO-08 for SFIA 7 skills has been posted as a community resource. 

  • software/systems engineering professionals - alignment to ISO/IEC 24773 0 #1312 11 Jan 2026

    ISO/IEC 24773 references some standards that can be used to define tasks. As SFIA skills descriptions are activity based, perhaps we should check these standards to ensure that we have covered all the tasks.

    What we decided:

    Revisit as part of mapping of SFIA to ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288:2015 Systems and software engineering — System life cycle processes

  • A-Z skills lists - add the relevant skill levels 0 #1295 11 Jan 2026

    The A-Z is a popular way of viewing the framework and the addition of the applicable skill levels will enhance its usability and value to people browsing the framework online.

    What we decided:

    Review as part of SFIA document and web page design for SFIA 9.

  • Compatibility with COBIT 2019 and KING IV 0 #1294 11 Jan 2026

    KING IV and COBIT 2019 have changed the definition of the term "IT" in line with the requirements of the fourth industrial revolution. SFIA should also align with them.

    What we decided:

    Note that COBIT refers to I&T (Information and technology).

    This naming is not widespread in the industry yet - so is one to monitor.

  • Digital Signal Processing (DSP) 0 #1287 11 Jan 2026

    We should review whether DSP is sufficiently covered in SFIA

    What we decided:

    This analysis suggest that DSP is a specific technology which can have application in a number of SFIA skill areas.

    If there is sufficient demand this could be added to guidance notes for relevant skills to make the coverage explicit.

  • New Skill - Coaching/Mentoring 0 #85 11 Jan 2026

    Transfer of skills and knowledge through hands-on mentoring/coaching is an important part of the professional environment. At present this kind of skills/knowledge transfer is not well articulated by a skill in SFIA.

    What we decided:

    Changes have been made to the generic attributes and levels of responsibilities.

    Employee experience and professional development provide some coverage. 

    We can keep under review to see if they address the need.

  • Create a glossary of SFIA terminology 0 #79 11 Jan 2026

    It may be helpful to new or inexperienced SFIA users if we create and publish a glossary of SFIA related terms.

    What we decided:

    Consider as potential for development post SFIA7.

    The guidance notes can provide some of the solutions for a glossary of terms.

  • Digital Entrepreneurship 0 #69 11 Jan 2026

    This is a request to stretch the boundaries of SFIA to encompass the skill needed to identify a business opportunity using novel digital technologies, and then acquire and deploy the necessary resources required for its commercial exploitation.

    What we decided:

    Add to roadmap for potential development.

    See also change request #27.

  • What about automation / engineering skill sets? 0 #43 11 Jan 2026

    Skills focused Operational Technology? With industry 4.0 and IT/OT convergence bringing IT and OT skill sets closer than ever, it would be great to see how these skills sets might work closer together with in the SFIA framework.

    What we decided:

    Will be kept in the backlog of change requests and considered during continuous consultation.

  • Digital Use Skills - introduce this area 0 #28 11 Jan 2026

    Introduce a number of 'digital Use skills'

    What we decided:

    Some additions made to SFIA 9 levels of responsibility and the work on behavioural factors.

     Add to SFIA development roadmap.

  • Skill description in structured fashion 0 #10 11 Jan 2026

    It will be easy for reader of the SFIA framework document , if skill description is written in terms of bullet points and keywords are highlighted ..

    What we decided:

    These will be input to the SFIA 9 readability theme.

  • Audio Visual skills 0 #3 11 Jan 2026

    A couple of user organisations and individuals have suggested that the AV aspects could be developed further.

    What we decided:

    Deferred.  Will be kept in the backlog of change requests and considered during continuous consultation.