SFIAplus V9 is here! If you’re not already using the SFIAplus competency framework for your skills development and career planning, now’s the time to get on board. With 26 brand-new skills, three new sub-categories and 177 new skills levels — all packed with real-world detail — the V9 update is one of the most comprehensive yet, reflecting the continuing development and ubiquitous impact of today’s tech industry.
About the framework
SFIAplus is built around SFIA — the Skills Framework for the Information Age — a globally-recognised matrix covering the full spectrum of skills and competencies required by the tech industry. SFIA provides organisations and professionals worldwide with a common IT skills language, and a reference model for planning and benchmarking their development.
Industry-led development
The V9 update has been led by the needs of the industry, in consultation with cross-sector employers and tech experts. In the three years since the last SFIA update, the digital landscape has experienced incredible transformation. The rapid adoption of AI has raised complex challenges around the ethical use of IT. The amount of data has doubled, with an estimated 147 zettabytes (add 21 zeros!) existing in the world today.
Demand for expertise in these areas is booming and SFIA has responded. New V9 skills include AI and data ethics (AIDE) and Data analytics (DAAN), and the existing Data management (DATM) skill has been split into three with the addition of Analytical classification and coding (ANCC) and Records management (RMGT).
Five new SFIA skills in the Marketing sub-category alone reflect the continued dominance of e-commerce, while a flurry of new skills in the field of finance — including Budgeting and forecasting (BUDF) and Cost management (COMG) — further demonstrate the changing shape of the industry.
Nurturing a talent pipeline is key to digital success. Behavioural factors and soft skills continue to play an important role in the new update, supporting people who are entering the industry, developing new skills or transitioning from another career. Of the new skill levels added to V9, 40 are at level 2 offering trusted guidance and advice like never before for entry-level professionals.
What else is new for V9?
The V9 update delivers 26 new skills across all categories, in disciplines ranging from Job analysis and design (JADN) to Offensive cyber operations (COCP). This brings the total number of SFIA skills to 147, each described at various levels of responsibility.
There are seven SFIA levels in total though some skills are only relevant at higher or lower levels, reflecting real-world practice — for example Strategic planning (ITSP) begins at level 4. The V9 update introduces 177 new skills level definitions, providing more granularity and scope for carrying out competency assessments, such as Systems design (DESN) which was previously described at levels 3 to 6 and now begins at level 2.
So, what’s in the plus?
Where SFIA provides the breadth, SFIAplus adds the depth, bringing the framework to life by adding practical details and context. For each SFIA skill, at every described level of responsibility, SFIAplus gives a host of additional information including:
- task definitions
- typical background including previous experience, education and prior knowledge
- descriptions of behaviours and the typical work activities that are performed
- relevant qualifications and registrations
- training resources
SFIAplus V9 has grown proportionately with the expanding SFIA matrix. Subject matter experts were drafted in from the BCS community to review all the real-world components behind every new and existing skill and skill level to maintain their accuracy and usability.
For you
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These tangible details help to guide you through the framework to pinpoint your competencies, offering a roadmap for developing your skills and extending your responsibilities to the highest levels in any given area. You’ll be signposted to related disciplines and the knowledge and behaviours you’ll need to support activity in those areas too. You can develop your awareness of the concepts, processes and tools used in the roles that impact yours, and see which areas you might smoothly transition to next in your career.
Accessing the good stuff
If you’re a BCS member, you have exclusive access to the V9 framework through Browse SFIAplus. The Browse portal lets you dive into the full SFIAplus matrix, explore the depth and breadth of the content, and extract the information that’s relevant to your discipline. Pop-up information along the way shows you how skills and responsibilities compare across the levels and this view can be exported to help you benchmark and visualise your progression through your given skill area.
Simply log into your MyBCS account to get started. Why not begin by benchmarking your role responsibilities to find out which SFIA level you currently work at, and from there you can plot your next career move.
Not yet a member? Join BCS today! As well as your exclusive Browse SFIAplus access, membership hands you a wealth of career development and recognition tools, from mentoring and networking opportunities to online training, industry research and knowledge resources keeping you connected and switched on to the latest tech thinking.
The SFIAplus framework underpins all CPD, professional registrations and qualifications at BCS and it can support your personal and professional development too — find out more at bcs.org/sfiaplus.
