SFIA

SFIA, or Skills Framework for the Information Age, is a model for describing and managing professional skills and competencies for information and communication technology (ICT) and digital professions. It provides a common language for defining skills and their levels of responsibility, enabling clear communication between organizations, professionals, and training providers.

Developed collaboratively by industry practitioners and professional bodies, SFIA is maintained by the SFIA Foundation. It is widely used around the world to underpin workforce planning, recruitment, performance assessment, learning and development, and career planning.

Structure: The framework lists skills in a catalog and defines each skill with descriptions across seven levels of responsibility, from level 1 (entry) to level 7 (autonomous and strategic). These level descriptors indicate the degree of autonomy, complexity, and accountability expected at each rung of the ladder. Skills are grouped into categories and can be mapped to specific job roles or project needs.

Versions and usage: The current version is SFIA 8, published by the SFIA Foundation, with SFIAplus offering extended guidance, mapping to professional standards, and additional resources. Organizations often tailor SFIA usage to local requirements and integrate it into job descriptions, performance reviews, and staff development plans.

Overview: As an international standard, SFIA aims to provide a consistent basis for discussing capabilities across organizations and sectors, supporting transparent talent management, outsourcing decisions, and cross-border mobility of IT professionals.