Change requests

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Add and review requests to change SFIA definitions or coverage.

Please add your change request below. Anyone can add a change request. Log in using your usual SFIA website id and password. If you don't have a login id you need to register as a user first. This is very simple to do, costs nothing, and means we can keep you up to date with SFIA 8. Wherever possible please link your change request to the relevant part of SFIA during the 'add request' process.

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The SFIA team and key stakeholders have been through the change requests for the next version of SFIA and have decided that they are:

  • Accepted: change requests which will be turned into proposals for action/wording in the next version of SFIA
  • Declined: change requests which have been rejected. Reasons for rejection are given.
  • Deferred: change requests which have merit but which are not yet fully agreed. Deferred requests will be considered for the next-but-one revision of SFIA.

Pending change requests are awaiting a decision.

We invite your comments on how we plan to meet the accepted change requests in the upgrade to SFIA 8.

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  • Pending (82)

  • Accepted (0)

  • Declined (1)

  • Deferred (0)

  • software/systems engineering professionals - alignment to ISO/IEC 24773 0 #1312 25 Jun 2020

    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.

  • Review LORs and Generics - several CRs in this area 1 #1311 25 Jun 2020

    The Generics probably need a general review and overhaul. The Industry wants additional generics and this aligns with the general view that 'Business Skills' is overloaded.

  • Update LEDA to better reflect skills/competency assessment for use in determining suitability for a role and/or development. 0 #1310 11 Jun 2020

    Enhance LEDA (Competence Assessment) to additionally be explicit for skills/competency assessment to be used for suitability for a defined role or for the professional development of an individual.

  • New Skill: Learning Experience Design 0 #1309 6 Jun 2020

    Learning Experience Design is a new skill that is born of the digitisation of learning and a shift in focus from learning content to learner centric context

  • Definition of Competency in context of Skills 0 #1308 6 Jun 2020

    SFIA needs to clearly define what competency is.

  • Need to cater for Service Integration and Management (SIAM) 0 #1307 2 Jun 2020

    Service Integration and Management (SIAM) is being increasingly used to improve end-to-end service quality and value in complex multi-vendor environments.

  • Inclusion of Organisational Change Management (OCM) aspects in ORDI, OCDV and CIPM 0 #1306 21 May 2020

    Currently these skills lack any specific mention of OCM and stakeholder management.

  • NTDS - Additional NTDS4 Skills 2 #1305 21 May 2020

    Add level 4 NTDS skill for network design. This is required for a major network company that specialises in design and management.

  • Language and Bullets 0 #1304 29 Apr 2020

    Move the descriptions and texts into bulleted lists

  • Agile Software Engineering 0 #1303 28 Apr 2020

    A new sub-category is needed to address the lack of clarity around agile software development.

  • Move Security component from the Business Skill generic 0 #1302 27 Apr 2020

    Security is addressed at all levels in the Business Skill generic attribute. It should be brought out as a generic attribute in its own right.

  • USUP Incident management - skill-level descriptions 0 #1301 24 Apr 2020

    Skill-level descriptions for Incident management, particularly Level 5, needs to be better aligned to SFIA Levels of Responsibility.

  • Extend some skills down to Level 3 0 #1300 19 Apr 2020

    Capturing this as reported to me some time ago. A number of skills would be useful to have a Level 3 as a recognition of achievement for apprenticeships.

  • Address Privacy 0 #1299 16 Apr 2020

    Theme for consideration: Privacy has an overlap with security practices but is not the same thing as security. How will SFIA8 ensure we address privacy alongside security in the generics and perhaps in specific skills?

  • IT Infrastructure ITOP skill 0 #1298 23 Mar 2020

    Change to the general description of IT Infrastructure ITOP Skill/ Italian Version

  • LoRs - add horizontal presentation 0 #1297 6 Mar 2020

    It can be very useful to compare the generic attributes (autonomy, influence, complexity, knowledge, business skills) across levels

  • Decouple Test from Release Management 0 #1296 23 Jan 2020

    The description of Release Management and skill levels make extensive reference to test as part of release management. This should be decoupled.

  • A-Z skills lists - add the relevant skill levels 0 #1295 14 Jan 2020

    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.

  • Compatibility with COBIT 2019 and KING IV 0 #1294 27 Nov 2019

    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.

  • Compatibility with COBIT 2019 and KING IV 0 #1293 27 Nov 2019

    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.

  • Compatibility with COBIT 2019 and KING IV 0 #1292 27 Nov 2019

    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.

  • CIPM - introduce level 4, refresh wording across the skill descriptions 0 #1291 27 Nov 2019

    The importance of effective change management in order to deliver business value from investment in new digital, data and technology capabilities.

  • How SFIA works page 0 #1290 6 Nov 2019

    Missing word in sentence "These descriptions provide a detailed definition what it means to practice the skill at each level of competency."

  • LoR 3 - Knowledge attribute 0 #1289 29 Oct 2019

    Check grammar - is there a missing word?

  • LoR 1 - Knowledge attribute 0 #1288 29 Oct 2019

    check the grammar on the sentence - is there a missing word?

  • Digital Signal Processing (DSP) 0 #1287 26 Sep 2019

    We should review whether DSP is sufficiently covered in SFIA

  • QUMG - change skill description to start with the word "The " 0 #1286 18 Sep 2019

    This is largely a cosmetic change to achieve a consistent syntax to all of SFIA's skill descriptions. 98 of the SFIA overall skill descriptions start with the word "The" . 4 skill descriptions do not follow this rule. (BENM, ISCO, QUMG, USEV). This change request is to change QUMG overall skill…

  • USEV - change skill description to start with the word "The " 0 #1285 18 Sep 2019

    This is largely a cosmetic change to achieve a consistent syntax to all of SFIA's skill descriptions. 98 of the SFIA overall skill descriptions start with the word "The" . 4 skill descriptions do not follow this rule. (BENM, ISCO, QUMG, USEV). This change request is to change USEV overall skill…

  • ISCO - change skill description to start with the word "The " 0 #1284 18 Sep 2019

    This is largely a cosmetic change to achieve a consistent syntax to all of SFIA's skill descriptions. 98 of the SFIA overall skill descriptions start with the word "The" . 4 skill descriptions do not follow this rule. (BENM, ISCO, QUMG, USEV). This change request is to change ISCO overall skill…

  • BENM - change skill description to start with the word "The " 0 #1283 18 Sep 2019

    This is largely a cosmetic change to achieve a consistent syntax to all of SFIA's skill descriptions. 98 of the SFIA overall skill descriptions start with the word "The" . 4 skill descriptions do not follow this rule. (BENM, ISCO, QUMG, USEV). This change request is to change BENM overall skill…

  • PRMG - remove the "typically" statement 0 #1282 19 Aug 2019

    SFIA v3 introduced a caveat to the description of a project; I don't think this is needed anymore and in some use cases of SFIA (e.g. software engineering) it is unhelpful as it emphasises "Enterprise IT" SFIA users to the detriment of others.

  • VISL Data visualisation - Level 3 required 0 #1281 6 Aug 2019

    Data Visualisation descriptions start from Level 4, with wording that suggests significant experience is already in place. A level 3 description is proposed for those working on visualisation tasks, without the breadth of technical skills to align with Level 4.

  • Mapping SFIA to COBIT 2019 0 #1280 27 Jul 2019

    Mapping SFIA to COBIT 2019 and ISO 20000

  • Introduce Level 3 for SALE skill 0 #1279 2 Jun 2019

    SALE skill starts on level 4 and level 3 can be useful.

  • PROD - review use of phrase "product collateral" 0 #1278 3 Aug 2018

    It has been highlighted that this phrase may not have universal understanding or interpretation. We should maybe include a more descriptive phrase. It has also caused some issue with translation in to Spanish.

  • Change Management 0 #1276 16 May 2018

    There is no skill level that includes the skills that the Change Manager uses - this is essentially a governance role ensuring that RFCs are submitted in the correct format, with adequate plans, and then ensures the change is communicated and approvals sought. Its a non technical role whereas most o…

  • BSMO - proposed wording changes for clarity and readability 0 #1275 15 May 2018

    From Jim Owens. Details attached below.

  • BUAN - proposed wording changes for clarity and readability 0 #1274 15 May 2018

    From Jim Owens. Details attached below.

  • PROF - proposed wording changes for clarity and readability 0 #1273 15 May 2018

    From Jim Owens. Details attached below.

  • PRMG - proposed wording changes for clarity and readability 0 #1272 15 May 2018

    From Jim Owens. Details attached below.

  • PGMG - proposed wording changes for clarity and readability 0 #1270 15 May 2018

    From Jim Owens. Details attached below.

  • SFAS - review examples used 0 #1269 15 May 2018

    From Pete Brink - SWEBOK Evolution team: IEC 61508 Safety Integrity level Level 3 is usually just referred to as SIL3 or Safety Integrity Level 3. Also, I don’t think we want to vary the level by SFIA level, everyone should be able to assess any SIL based on the specification. Do you want to …

  • 'Service design' is ambiguous and inaccurate 0 #1268 29 Apr 2018

    'Service design' has come to describe a specific set of processes for conceiving of and validating a service. This subcategory describes service delivery or service level management and should be renamed.

    What we decided:

    Deferred - to be considered under the discussion of views.

    The SFIA Service Design sub-category emerged from the ITIL alignment for SFIA4,

  • Data visualisation is an unwelcome addition as a separate skill 0 #1267 25 Apr 2018

    Data visualisation is one of a number of specialisms within the area covered by 'information content publishing' along with thing like content design, information architecture, search engine optimisation, content analytics, content workflow management, i18n, web typography and more.

    What we decided:

    Deferred

  • Project Definition (Workshop) PDW 0 #1266 18 Apr 2018

    This is the process of defining where we are today (A point), where we wish to be (B point) and the activities to move the organisation from A to B. It sounds corny but it works and provides valuable documentation for future changes, uppgrades or trouble shooting.

  • Rename to "Implementation" rather than "Installation" 0 #1265 16 Apr 2018

    The term "installation" alludes to implementaiton of physical infrastructure. Renaming this skill to "Systems Implementation/Decommissioning" better reflects the "cloud-first" world we operate in today.

  • Cybersecurity 0 #1245 26 Feb 2018

    Cybersecurity is a growing aspect of all IT professionals roles and as such should be included in the framework. The description below highlights particular areas missing from our organisations perspective.

  • BPTS - Is Business process testing the best name / description. 0 #1243 31 Jan 2018

    Is Business process testing the best name / description? Does it exclude other approaches to broader User Acceptance Testing that we may see in Systems Engineering. Is User Acceptance Testing acceptable?

    What we decided:

    Deferred.

  • Skills needed for creation and maintenance of a Service Catalogue 0 #96 2 Jan 2018

    Change Request raised on behalf of itSMF International via Barry Corless (Director - itSMF International) The creation and maintenance of a service catalogue is touched on very briefly in portfolio (POMG) and in more (but still insufficient ) detail in Service Level Management (SLMO). Suggest this…

  • New Skill - Coaching/Mentoring 1 #85 30 Dec 2017

    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:

    Deferred. Add to development roadmap after SFIA7. See also change request #72.

  • New skill - Team/Exec Support 0 #84 30 Dec 2017

    The currently isn't a specific skill that covers the role of Team Administrator / Personal Assistant / Exec Assistant adequately.

  • Cognitive Computing and Robotics 0 #80 20 Dec 2017

    Welcoming our new computer overlords to SFIA

    What we decided:

    Deferred. Important topic which is now on the investigation road map for SFIA 8.

    https://sfia-online.org/en/sfia-8/themes-for-sfia-8-folder/sfia-8-theme-artificial-intelligence

  • Create a glossary of SFIA terminology 0 #79 15 Dec 2017

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

    What we decided:

    Deferred. Consider as potential for development post SFIA7.

    The SFIA7 guidance notes could form the first candudates for a glossary of terms.

  • Review Skills from an IT Supplier's Perspective 0 #78 10 Dec 2017

    When viewed from an IT supplier or vendor perspective, and the skills required for that organisation, SFIA throws up some interesting white areas. Among others these include marketing, HR, finance, pre-sales & sales & education. Consulting or professional services while being pretty well covered ma…

    What we decided:

    Deferred.

    This is a very broad set of suggestions.

    Some of the topics are covered in SFIA, some are not.

    Further work needs to be done to decompose this into specific change requests and/or requests for changes of scope for the SFIA framework as a whole.

  • PEMT - review content and format of the Performance Management skill 0 #77 8 Dec 2017

    This was a new skill introduced in SFIA6. I feel it needs some review to ensure it addresses the key aspects of Performance Management in the work place and is complementary in approach to other people management skills in SFIA.

    What we decided:

    Deferred.  Add to development roadmap after SFIA7 alongside other people management related skills.

  • SFIA as a Platform 0 #73 4 Dec 2017

    Is there is an case to port SFIA and making it a cloud based service? 1. SFIA as a Platform 2. SFIA as a nation-wide skills inventory 3. APIs to others in the eco-system 4. LinkedIn (& MSWord) integration 5. Ability to map SFIA with CoBIT, ITIL, TOGAF, eTOM and others More details below.

    What we decided:

    Deferred.

    Some of these can be considered for SFIA roadmaps. Others my be initiatives undertaken by new or existing SFIA partner organisations.

  • Recognition of a broader set of People Management skills 0 #72 30 Nov 2017

    There are some areas of people management which are recognised as critical for an effective and high performing IT workforce but which aren’t really touched by SFIA. Broadly these can be captured under 2 headings: • Employee engagement and satisfaction, attraction and retention of high performin…

    What we decided:

    Deferred. Consider for road map after SFIA7.

  • Digital Entrepreneurship 0 #69 29 Nov 2017

    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:

    Deferred.

    Add to roadmap for potential development.

    See also change request #27.

  • RESC - Resourcing - separate out recruitment and talent planning skills? 0 #68 28 Nov 2017

    This skill description combines 2 strands which may be better separated: 1. recruitment 2. workforce / talent planning Although the 2 dimensions are related they are often (typically) found in different roles / different teams / different functions. Having the skills merged as they are in SFIA6 m…

    What we decided:

    Deferred. Add to development roadmap after SFIA7. See also Change Request #72.

  • CORE COMPETENCIES 0 #67 28 Nov 2017

    Add ACCURACY to Autonomy, Influence, Complexity and Business Skills.

  • Include responsibilities for Diversity and Inclusion 0 #63 21 Nov 2017

    Promoting and supporting diversity in the workplace is an important aspect of good people management - it’s about valuing everyone in the organisation as an individual. To realise the benefits of a diverse workforce it’s vital to have an inclusive environment where everyone feels able to parti…

    What we decided:

    Deferred. Additions made to generic business skills level 6 & 7. There maybe more to be done.

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

    See also change request #49.

  • TEST - Improvements to address the more technical aspects of a Test Engineer role 0 #61 8 Nov 2017

    Some changes required to the wording of the SFIA 4 / 5 skills levels to address the more technical elements of the modern Test Engineer to cover Test Automation and Performance Testing or alternatively consideration given to creating a separate skill for these common Test roles.

  • Review each skill description to establish if it should reflect the SaaS 0 #58 6 Nov 2017

    With an increased focus on the end user (general public), consider each skill description to see if it should reflect the need to include the "service" element of the skill as all participants in delivery need to consider and often work with the end user.

  • Language refresh 0 #57 31 Oct 2017

    A general comment about refreshing the language such as using ‘cyber security’ instead of ‘security’ as well as ‘digital’ and ‘cloud’ in some places to add relevance or specifically draw in the new aaS world.

    What we decided:

    Deferred.

    To be actionable - this change request needs to be more specific to actual skill descriptions which need to be updated.

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

  • Security Administration - Consider Blockchain and Cryptography 0 #56 31 Oct 2017

    Consider whether dealing with Blockchain and Cryptography would be skills in their own right. Suggested adding administration of these to Security Administration

  • Pen Testing - reflect how this has evolved as a component of acceptance testing 0 #54 31 Oct 2017

    Consider adding in as a component of Acceptance testing or adding acceptance testing into the description of Pen testing.

  • Information Security - Minor change around risk and consideration of security architect 0 #53 31 Oct 2017

    This change identifies a minor change to wording and also raises a couple of points about the security architect role.

  • Blockchain, Distributed Ledger Technology, Smart Contracts, Crypto 0 #44 1 Oct 2017

    Blockchain, DLT, SmartContracts, Crypto are topics I believe SFIA need to incorporate into the scheme without delays.

    What we decided:

    Deferred. Add to SFIA7 roadmap for investigation post SFIA7 launch.

  • What about automation / engineering skill sets? 0 #43 1 Oct 2017

    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:

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

  • Artificial Intelligence (AI) - New skill or skills? 0 #35 6 Sep 2017

    The importance of AI needs to be considered and introduced.

    What we decided:

    Deferred.  Now on development roadmap for SFIA 8 - 2020 for publication in 2021.

    Follow the url below for more detail.

    https://sfia-online.org/en/sfia-8/themes-for-sfia-8-folder/sfia-8-theme-artificial-intelligence

  • Digital Use Skills - introduce this area 0 #28 6 Sep 2017

    Introduce a number of 'digital Use skills'

    What we decided:

    Deferred. Add to SFIA development roadmap as a priority after SFIA7 launch.

  • Extend Skills one level down to address trainees or allow entry paths 2 #26 6 Sep 2017

    Some individuals do not have the skills as identified at the lowest level in SFIA but are working in this area - could we recognise the lower level as a trainee?

    What we decided:

    Revisit with the work to documnt Skills Assessment guidelines.

  • Currency to be addressed 0 #25 6 Sep 2017

    The issue of currency needs to be addressed

  • New Entrants and repositioning - guidance needed 0 #23 6 Sep 2017

    Consider introducing guidance around new entrants to IT and repositioning

  • TEST - Improvements to address needs of Software Engineering 0 #20 10 Aug 2017

    Some changes in emphasis and wording across the Skill description and skill level descriptions to ensure Software Engineering is addressed.

  • Verification, Validation & Testing - Improvements to address needs of Software Engineering 0 #19 10 Aug 2017

    Should the description of skills related to verification / validation activities be standalone or embedded in each individual software engineering related skill.

    What we decided:


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

  • PORT - Improvements to address needs of Software Engineering 0 #17 9 Aug 2017

    Some changes in emphasis and wording across the Skill description and skill level descriptions to ensure Software Engineering is addressed.

    What we decided:

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

  • SYSP - Improvements to address needs of Software Engineering 0 #13 8 Aug 2017

    Some changes in emphasis and wording across the Skill description and skill level descriptions to ensure Software Engineering is addressed.

    What we decided:

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

  • Skill description in structured fashion 0 #10 8 Aug 2017

    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 ..

  • Audio Visual skills 0 #3 27 Jul 2017

    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.

  • Ethics 0 #1035 2 Oct 2014

    Security: Professionals should comply with ethics in order to safe guard business entities and activities carried out in an organization

  • Add in an entry point at responsibility level 4 for the CNSL skill 0 #92 11 Jul 2014

    I have worked in a consulting firm for 20 years and we have found that our entry point is actually at SFIA level 4. Our senior consultant role is at level 5 and our principal consultant role is mainly at level 6. This should not be confused by the fact that may contractors refer to themselves as …

    What we decided:

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