Digital mindset
Adapting to and leveraging digital tools and technologies effectively.
This is a prototype for SFIA 9. It is subject to change before publication.
Guidance notes
A digital mindset in a professional context involves understanding and embracing digital technologies, tools, and processes. It's about adapting to the digital era and leveraging technological advancements to enhance work efficiency, innovation, and connectivity.
Embracing a digital mindset requires continuous learning and adaptability, as digital technologies evolve rapidly. It involves not just using digital tools but understanding how they can transform work processes, communication, and business models. As professionals progress in their careers, their role in driving digital innovation and transformation becomes more pronounced.
A digital mindset in the SFIA framework represents a progression from basic use of digital tools at lower levels to leading digital transformation and strategy at senior levels. This evolution reflects the increasing importance of technology in shaping professional roles and organisational strategies in the digital age.
Level 1 - Follow
- Has basic digital skills to learn and use applications, processes and tools for their role.
Level 2 - Assist
- Has sufficient digital skills for their role; understands and uses appropriate methods, tools, applications and processes.
Level 3 - Apply
- Explores and applies relevant digital tools and skills for their role.
- Understands and effectively applies appropriate methods, tools, applications and processes.
Level 4 - Enable
- Maximises the capabilities of applications for their role and evaluates and supports the use of new technologies and digital tools.
- Selects appropriately from, and assesses the impact of change to applicable standards, methods, tools, applications and processes relevant to own specialism.
Level 5 - Ensure, advise
- Recognises and evaluates the organisational impact of new technologies and digital services.
- Implements new and effective practices. Advises on available standards, methods, tools, applications and processes relevant to group specialism(s) and can make appropriate choices from alternatives.
Level 6 - Initiate, influence
- Leads the enhancement of the organisation’s digital capabilities. Identifies and endorses opportunities to adopt new technologies and digital services.
- Leads digital governance and compliance with relevant legislation and the need for products and services.
Level 7 - Set strategy, inspire, mobilise
- Leads the development of the organisation’s digital DNA and the transformational vision. Advances capability and/or exploitation of technology within one or more organisations through a deep understanding of the industry and the implications of emerging technologies.
- Accountable for assessing how laws and regulations impact organisational objectives and its use of digital, data and technology capabilities.