#1345 Ethics in the Levels of Responsibility change request accepted

This proposal comes from workshops and a working group organised by the SFIA user community in Australia. Special thanks to Phil Lovell for doing most of the work.

Current state:

• Ethics is referenced in LoR in a couple of places.
• Ethics currently appears in DATM and LEDA.
• There is not an easily identifiable pattern of application, in either LoR or Professional skill.

 Proposals:

• Incorporate ethics into the LoR with focus on business skills related to security (see table below).
• Create a guideline to support the incorporation of ethics into relevant professional skills.
• Identify those skills where ethics is a critical consideration.
• Review Governance and quality related skills for incorporation of ethics in to scope.

 Notes:

• Discussions with domain specialists with an interest in Ethics highlighted focus on Data Science and algorithm design eg Bias in credit scoring and Design eg accessibility in its broadest sense.
• There was discussion about a standalone ethical skill, however, the key functions of the roles described by ethical SME related to governance and quality.

 Please refer below to the suggested changes.

• Underline Text – Specific changes to existing statement to include ethics.
• Italics Text – Existing text that references ethics
• Principle:  To align Ethics with security unless it is already addressed (i.e. in Level 1).

Generic skill	Level	From SFIA LoR v7
Business Skills	7	Champions security and ethics within own area of work and throughout the organisation.
Business Skills	6	Takes a leading role in promoting security and ethics throughout own area of responsibilities and collectively in the organisations.
Business Skills	5	Contributes to the security and ethics culture of the organisation and ensures implementation in area of responsibility. Proactively ensures security and ethics is appropriately addressed within their area by self and others. Engages or works with security and ethics specialists as necessary. Contributes to the security and ethics culture of the organisation. Demonstrates creativity, innovation and ethical thinking in applying solutions for the benefit of the customer/stakeholder.
Business Skills	4	Fully understands the importance and application of security and ethics to own work and the operation of the organisation.
Business Skills	3	Understands how own role impacts security and ethics, and demonstrates routine security and ethical practice and knowledge required for own work.
Business Skills	2	Is fully aware of and complies with essential organisational security and ethical practices expected of the individual.
Business Skills	1	Follows code of conduct, ethics and organisational standards. Is aware of health and safety issues.

Proposed change applies to Levels of responsibility

Current status of this request: accepted

What we decided

Include in review of generic attributes and levels of responsibility for SFIA 8.