The global skills and competency framework for the digital world

New level 2 skill definitions added

New level 2 skill definitions added | SFIA level 1 to 3 expectations of employees and managers

We have introduced additional Level 2 skill descriptions in response to feedback from the global SFIA community.

These new descriptions aim to define the skills and expectations for entry-level roles.

Essence of level 2:

Provides assistance to others, works under routine supervision, and uses their discretion to address routine problems. Actively learns through training and on-the-job experiences.

Key Features of Level 2 Descriptions:

  • Focus on assisting others with tasks
  • Emphasis on following established procedures
  • Work performed under routine guidance and supervision

Context:

  • Level 2 descriptions go beyond mere awareness or knowledge of the domain.
  • Individuals at this level are actively learning while performing work tasks.
  • Professionals are expected to engage in hands-on work but without the full responsibility associated with Level 3 skills.
  • The value and impact of Level 3 skills are not reduced or underestimated.

New Additions:

  • 36 additional Level 2 definitions have been added.
  • This brings the total to 94 Level 2 definitions for SFIA 9.
Level 2 added to these SFIA skills - click to see the level 2 description Levels for this skill Concise description of the SFIA skill
Animation development 2 - 6 Designing and developing animated and interactive systems such as games, simulations and virtual environments.
Systems design 2 - 6 Designing systems to meet specified requirements and agreed systems architectures.
Hardware design 2 - 6 Specifying and designing hardware systems and components to meet defined requirements by following agreed design principles and standards.
Database design 2 - 5 Specifying, designing and maintaining mechanisms for storing and accessing data.
Software configuration 2 - 6 Designing and deploying software product configurations into software environments or platforms.
Product management 2 - 6 Managing and developing products or services through their full life cycle from inception, growth, maturity, decline to retirement.
Data visualisation 2 - 5 Facilitating understanding of data by displaying concepts, ideas, and facts using graphical representations.
Data management 2 - 6 Developing and implementing plans, policies, and practices that control, protect and optimise the value and governance of data assets.
User research 2 - 6 Identifying users' behaviours, needs and motivations using observational research methods.
User experience analysis 2 - 5 Understanding the context of use for systems, products and services and specifying user experience requirements and design goals.
User experience design 2 - 6 Producing design concepts and prototypes for user interactions with and experiences of a product, system or service.
Audit 2 - 7 Delivering independent, risk-based assessments of the effectiveness of processes, the controls, and the compliance environment of an organisation.
Risk management 2 - 7 Planning and implementing organisation-wide processes and procedures for the management of risk to the success or integrity of the enterprise.
Information security 2 - 7 Defining and operating a framework of security controls and security management strategies.
Information assurance 2 - 7 Protecting against and managing risks related to the use, storage and transmission of data and information systems.
Penetration testing 2 - 6 Testing the effectiveness of security controls by emulating the tools and techniques of likely attackers.
Digital forensics 2 - 6 Recovering and investigating material found in digital devices.
Facilities management 2 - 6 Planning, designing and managing the buildings, space and facilities which, collectively, make up the IT estate.
Continuity management 2 - 6 Developing, implementing and testing a business continuity framework.
Capacity management 2 - 6 Ensuring that service components have the capacity and performance to meet current and planned business needs.
Release management 2 - 6 Managing the release of new and updated services into production, ensuring alignment with business objectives and compliance standards.
Deployment 2 - 6 Transitioning software from development to live usage, managing risks and ensuring it works as intended.
Storage management 2 - 6 Provisioning, configuring, and optimising on-premises and cloud-based storage solutions, ensuring data availability, security, and alignment with business objectives.
Network support 2 - 5 Providing maintenance and support services for communications networks.
Business situation analysis 2 - 6 Investigating business situations to define recommendations for improvement action.
Feasibility assessment 2 - 6 Defining, evaluating and describing business change options for financial, technical and business feasibility, and strategic alignment.
Organisational change management 2 - 6 Planning, designing and implementing activities to transition the organisation and people to the required future state.
Competency assessment 2 - 6 Assessing knowledge, skills, competency and behaviours by any means, whether formal or informal, against frameworks such as SFIA.
Learning and development management 2 - 7 Delivering management, advisory and administrative services to support the development of knowledge, skills and competencies.
Service catalogue management 2 - 5 Providing a source of consistent information about available services and products to customers and users.
Problem management 2 - 5 Managing the life cycle of all problems that have occurred or could occur in delivering a service.
Resourcing 2 - 6 Acquiring, deploying and onboarding resources.
Quality assurance 2 - 6 Assuring, through ongoing and periodic assessments and reviews, that the organisation’s quality objectives are being met.
Quality management 2 - 7 Defining and operating a management framework of processes and working practices to deliver the organisation's quality objectives.
Measurement 2 - 6 Developing and operating a measurement capability to support agreed organisational information needs.
Methods and tools 2 - 6 Ensuring methods and tools are adopted and used effectively throughout the organisation.