Understanding SFIA Generic Skills: The Framework for IT Professionals

In the fast-changing world of technology and communication, staying up to date with the latest trends is essential. This requires not only technical knowledge but also basic skills that are applicable in any job. The Skills Framework for the Information Age (SFIA) addresses this need by focusing on “Generic Skills.” This framework provides a structured approach to learning and developing key competencies necessary to thrive in the ever-evolving IT industry.

What are SFIA Generic Skills?

SFIA (Skills Framework for the Information Age) is a framework that defines the skills and competencies required for professionals working in ICT (Information and Communication Technology) and digital transformation roles. SFIA provides a comprehensive and consistent way to describe skills, levels of responsibility, and performance indicators across various IT and digital job roles.

SFIA includes seven skill categories, one of which is "Generic Skills." These skills are not specific to a particular job role but are essential across various roles in the information and communication technology sector. The SFIA Generic Skills category includes skills that are widely applicable and important for success in many professional contexts.

Understanding the 7 Levels of Responsibility in SFIA

SFIA builds its base on seven levels. Each level has descriptions of basic skills, including behavior and knowledge statements. These parts create a shared language to discuss responsibility levels in different professional fields covered by SFIA.

There are two main aspects of SFIA: behaviors and skills. You can look at them separately or combine them. The successful execution of a skill at a certain level depends on applying the right behaviors, knowledge, and generic attributes at a similar level. For instance, someone asked to perform a skill at level 6 will not do well if their influence or autonomy level is only at level 3.

Each of the seven levels of SFIA also comes with a brief guiding phrase that sums up the level of responsibility. These phrases help give a quick idea of what to expect at each level.

Level 7 - Set strategy, inspire, mobilize

Level 6 - Initiate, influence

Level 5 - Ensure, advise

Level 4 - Enable

Level 3 - Apply

Level 2 - Assist

Level 1 – Follow

Understanding the Basics: Generic Skills Attributes and Responsibility Levels

SFIA's responsibility levels are based on a set of generic skills. Think of these as building blocks that show how an individual performs in various areas.

• Autonomy: How well someone can work on their own without needing constant supervision.
• Influence: The ability to impact and shape the decisions or actions of others.
• Complexity: Dealing with tasks that are more intricate or challenging.
• Business Skills: Knowing how to manage things in a professional work environment.
• Knowledge: The depth of understanding someone has in their field and role.

These generic skills cover various behavioral factors, including teamwork, communication, creativity, decision-making, task performance, leadership, professional development, planning, problem-solving, and understanding security, privacy, and ethics.

Improving Your Team and Hiring with SFIA

SFIA is a valuable tool to manage your ICT team and hiring practices.

• SFIA gives a clear set of skills everyone in the profession should have.
• SFIA shows how good someone is at these skills, from beginner to expert.
• SFIA explains how much responsibility a person can manage. This includes how independent they are, how much influence they have, how complex their work is, and how well they know the business.

SFIA is regularly updated to remain relevant and aligned with the needs of the industry and businesses. Here’s how it can benefit you:

• Hiring the Right People

SFIA helps by defining the skills and skill levels needed for different roles. This makes it easier to create job profiles for ICT roles and find the perfect fit for your team.

• Identifying Skills Gaps

SFIA can pinpoint where your team may lack certain skills. This helps you identify experts in specific areas. It also facilitates the reassignment of staff to where they are most needed, such as providing support within the community.

• Skills Audit for Planning

You can use SFIA to assess the skills of individual team members and the whole team. This helps in future planning, making sure you have the right skills for upcoming projects.

• Developing Your Team

SFIA helps you plan career paths for your team and decide on strategies for learning and development. This means your team can grow and improve over time.

• Tracking Professional Development

SFIA guides you by keeping an eye on how your team is growing. This way, you can offer them more opportunities to take on new roles or get more experience at a higher level. For instance, you can use SFIA to see what skills your team already has. Then, you can plan how to leverage these skills and figure out which roles to hire to fill any gaps. SFIA is like a map for making your team stronger and getting the right people on board.

Conclusion

SFIA's Generic Skills category serves as a beacon for IT professionals navigating the multifaceted landscape of the information age. By acknowledging and developing these foundational skills, individuals can not only excel in their current roles but also position themselves for success in the ever-changing IT industry. As organizations increasingly recognize the importance of holistic skill sets, SFIA provides a roadmap for cultivating well-rounded and adaptable professionals who can thrive in the dynamic world of technology.