The global skills and competency framework for the digital world

Data management DATM

(modified)

Developing and implementing plans, policies, and practices that control, protect and optimise the value and governance of data assets.

SFIA 9 is in development

  • SFIA 9 beta due in early July 2024
  • SFIA 9 planned for publication October 2024

This is a prototype for SFIA 9. It is subject to change before publication.

Guidance notes

(modified)

Activities may include, but are not limited to:

  • developing and enforcing data governance policies to ensure data quality, compliance, and ethical usage
  • developing plans, policies and practices related to areas including, but not limited to, classification, storage, security, quality, sharing, availability, retrieval, retention and publishing
  • managing data in all its forms, ensuring alignment with business objectives and regulatory requirements
  • analysing information structures, including logical analysis of taxonomies, ontologies, data, metadata, and industry reference data
  • ensuring data is appropriately stored and archived, in line with relevant legislation
  • implementing data management practices for cloud-based services
  • applying ethical principles when handling data.
  • developing innovative ways to manage data assets
  • integrating data from multiple sources to support data pipelines and enable additional operations on the data.

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 reponsibilities.

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 with tasks (generic examples are provided by the essence statements for each level)

Where higher levels are not defined...

  • You can progress by developing related skills which are better suited to higher levels of organisational leadership.

Levels

Defined at these levels: 2 3 4 5 6

Show/hide extra descriptions and levels.

Level 1

Level 1 - Follow: Essence of the level: Performs routine tasks under close supervision, follows instructions, and requires guidance to complete their work. Learns and applies basic skills and knowledge.

Data management: 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.

(new)

Assists in implementing data management activities under close guidance and supervision.

Helps create and maintain documentation of data management activities.

Helps identify and report issues and discrepancies.

Data management: 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.

(new)

Implements standard data management practices based on detailed requirements.

Monitors and maintains data quality through regular reviews and validation checks.

Communicates the details of data management procedures to others, helping their understanding and compliance.

Data management: Level 4

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

(modified)

Devises and implements data governance and master data management processes for specific subsets of data.

Assesses the integrity of data from multiple sources.

Advises on data transformation of data between formats or media. Maintains and implements data handling procedures.

Enables data availability, integrity and searchability through formal data and metadata structures and protection measures.

Data management: Level 5

Level 5 - Ensure, advise: Essence of the level: Provides authoritative guidance in their field and works under broad direction. Accountable for achieving workgroup objectives and managing work from analysis to execution and evaluation.

(modified)

Devises and implements data governance and master data management processes.

Derives data management structures and metadata to support consistent data retrieval, combination, analysis, pattern recognition, and interpretation across the organisation.

Independently validates external information from multiple sources. Plans effective data storage, sharing, and publishing practices within the organisation.

Identifies and addresses issues preventing optimal use information assets. Provides expert advice to maximise data asset value, ensuring data quality and compliance.

Data management: Level 6

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

(modified)

Leads the strategic direction for data management and governance, establishing policies and frameworks that align with business and regulatory requirements. Derives an overall strategy of master data management that supports the development and secure operation of data and digital services.

Creates organisational policies, standards, and guidelines for data management, ensuring ethical principles are applied.

Plans, establishes and manages processes for regular and consistent access to external data sources, ensuring their validation and integration.

Level 7

Level 7 - Set strategy, inspire, mobilise: Essence of the level: Operates at the highest organisational level, determines overall organisational vision and strategy, and assumes accountability for overall success.