SFIA (Skills Framework for the Information Age) competency framework
SFIA helps organizations to manage resources effectively, identify skills shortfalls and develop learning plans. Individuals can gauge their own skills against those required for a target role profile, in order to plan their career development.
SFIA is unique in defining skill-levels in terms of increasing responsibility, rather than simply depth of expertise. Each level is described in detail that captures the degree of autonomy, influence, complexity and breadth of vision, all of which increase from lower to higher levels.
SFIA identifies over 90 skills, in the fields of information management, systems and services. Competencies are described at each of the levels which are relevant to a particular skill. The whole framework is organized, for ease of reference, into 6 categories, which reflect the diversity of skills, from Strategy and Architecture, Business Change and Solution Development; to Service Management, Procurement and Support and Client Interface.
Top-Down Approach
- o Derive SFIA Skills from functional context and job-role descriptions.
- o Review role profiles with sponsor, revise as needed.
- o Interview role-representatives to validate, adjust skills and levels for job-families.
- o Identify granular skills for development including non-SFIA skills and benchmarks.
- o Identify learning options, aligned to skills/levels, choice of formats.
SFIA provides an ideal framework to benchmark skills levels for job roles and job families. Among other benefits, role-based skills profiles provide consistent and achievable targets for personal development and career progression.
Learning targets include gaining formal accreditations, gaining software-specific skills and developing management and personal skills.
The methodical approach ensures that investment in learning delivers measurable business benefits by raising capability.