The global skills and competency framework for the digital world

Business situation analysis BUSA

Investigating business situations to define recommendations for improvement action.

Revision notes

Updates for SFIA 9

  • Theme(s) influencing the updates for this skill: Making SFIA easier to consume (new levels).
  • New level 2 added to support entry-level roles.
  • You can move to SFIA 9 when you are ready - SFIA 8 skill descriptions will still be available to use.
  • Previous SFIA assessments or skills mapping are not impacted by this change.

Guidance notes

Activities may include, but are not limited to:

  • planning for business situation analysis
  • establishing the investigative approach 
  • engaging with relevant stakeholders
  • reviewing the strategic context, including the organisation’s vision, mission, objectives, strategy and tactics and external business environment
  • defining problems and analysing root causes
  • identifying potential changes to address problems or to take advantage of opportunities
  • gaining agreement to conclusions and recommendations.

Understanding the responsibility levels of this skill

Where lower levels are not defined...
  • Specific tasks and responsibilities are not defined because the skill requires a higher level of autonomy, influence, and complexity in decision-making than is typically expected at these levels. You can use the essence statements to understand the generic responsibilities associated with these levels.
Where higher levels are not defined...
  • Responsibilities and accountabilities are not defined because these higher levels involve strategic leadership and broader organisational influence that goes beyond the scope of this specific skill. See the essence statements.

Developing skills and demonstrating responsibilities related to this skill

The defined levels show the incremental progression in skills and responsibilities.

Where lower levels are not defined...

You can develop your knowledge and support others who do have responsibility in this area by:

  • Learning key concepts and principles related to this skill and its impact on your role
  • Performing related skills (see the related SFIA skills)
  • Supporting others who are performing higher level tasks and activities
Where higher levels are not defined...
  • You can progress by developing related skills which are better suited to higher levels of organisational leadership.

Show/hide extra descriptions and levels.

Levels of responsibility for this skill

2 3 4 5 6

Business situation analysis: Level 2

Level 2 - Assist: Essence of the level: 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.

Assists in investigating business situations to help identify and analyse problems and opportunities, under routine supervision.

Helps collect and organise data and information to support recommendations.

Business situation analysis: Level 3

Level 3 - Apply: Essence of the level: Performs varied tasks, sometimes complex and non-routine, using standard methods and procedures. Works under general direction, exercises discretion, and manages own work within deadlines. Proactively enhances skills and impact in the workplace.

Investigates straightforward business situations to identify and analyse problems and opportunities.

Contributes to the recommendation of improvements.

Follows agreed standards and techniques to investigate, analyse and document business situations.

Engages with stakeholders under direction.

Business situation analysis: Level 4

Level 4 - Enable: Essence of the level: Performs diverse complex activities, supports and guides others, delegates tasks when appropriate, works autonomously under general direction, and contributes expertise to deliver team objectives.

Investigates business situations where there is some complexity and ambiguity.

Adopts holistic view to identify and analyse problems and opportunities.

Contributes to the selection of the approach and techniques to be used for business situation analysis.

Conducts root cause analysis and identifies recommendations for improvements. Engages and collaborates with operational stakeholders.

Business situation analysis: Level 5

Level 5 - Ensure, advise: Essence of the level: Provides authoritative guidance in their field and works under broad direction. Accountable for delivering significant work outcomes, from analysis through execution to evaluation.

Plans, manages and investigates business situation analysis where there is significant ambiguity and complexity.

Advises on the approach and techniques to be used for business situation analysis. Ensures holistic view adopted to identify and analyse wide-ranging problems and opportunities.

Engages and collaborates with a wide range of stakeholders, including those at the management level. Gains agreement from stakeholders to conclusions and recommendations.

Contributes to definition of organisational standards and guidelines for business situation analysis.

Business situation analysis: Level 6

Level 6 - Initiate, influence: Essence of the level: Has significant organisational influence, makes high-level decisions, shapes policies, demonstrates leadership, promotes organisational collaboration, and accepts accountability in key areas.

Initiates and leads business situation analysis where there is extensive ambiguity, complexity and potentially significant organisational impacts.

Establishes and promotes the need for holistic business situation analysis prior to change programme initiation.

Engages with stakeholders at executive level and advises on recommended change initiatives.

Defines organisational policies, standards and techniques for business situation analysis.

Keywords
New level