The Skills Framework for the Information Age (SFIA) is the high level UK Government backed competency framework describing the roles within IT and the skills needed to fulfil them.

It is constructed as a two dimensional matrix.

SFIAplus contains the SFIA framework of IT skills plus detailed training and development resources to provide the most established and widely adopted IT skills, training and development model reflecting current industry needs.

For each SFIA skill, SFIAplus contains EIGHT additional skill resources. For each SFIA task, SFIAplus includes SIX additional task components. The additional training and development detail for all 96 skills and 344 tasks makes SFIAplus a three dimensional model.

SFIAplus also forms the basis of a range of BCS professional development products and services for both individuals and employers.

 
The difference between SFIA and SFIAplus

A video explaining the differences between the Skills Framework for the Information Age (SFIA) and the Institute's IT skills, training and development standard, SFIAplus. The video also explores the organisational benefits of SFIAplus.

Benefits for IT employers

• Delivers business advantage through structured skills development
• Builds on SFIA by providing specific, industry related detail
• Aligns to the Institute’s professional certifications, career framework and membership grades
• Helps attract, retain and develop IT talent
• Inspires high performance and supports IT professionals in attaining CITP status
• Provides a common language, a shorthand for specifying skill levels
• Provides consistency of approach to building job profiles and creating development plans
• Advanced reporting tools enable production of gap analysis reports
• Can assist at any stage in your organisation’s strategy implementation

 
Benefits for IT professionals

• Reflects the current skills required by the industry
• Provides a common benchmark against recognised standards
• Pinpoints the right job for you by defining your skills
• Helps you identify a clear progression path and development opportunities
• Inspire high performance and supports professionals in achieving CITP status.
• Comprehensive qualifications section helps you plan the steps in your career path
• Provides a consistent language for IT skills, shared by colleagues and employers
• Can be implemented, and offers benefits, at any stage in your IT career

SFIAplus provides a clear three dimensional model describing categories of work on one axis, levels of responsibility on another and resources/components on the third axis.

There are SIX main categories of work

1. Strategy and architecture
2. Business change
3. Solution development and implementation
4. Service management
5. Procurement and management support
6. Client interface

These categories are sub-categorised and divided into 96 specific skills.

There are SEVEN levels of responsibility

1. Follow
2. Assist
3. Apply
4. Enable
5. Ensure, advise
6. Initiate, influence
7. Set strategy, inspire, mobilise

A skill at a level is called a task. There are 344 tasks.

There are EIGHT skill resources

1. Related functions
2. Technical overview
3. Overview of training, development & qualifications
4. Career & jobs
5. Professional bodies
6. Standards & codes of practice
7. Communities and events
8. Publications & events

There are SIX task components

1. Background
2. Work activities
3. Knowledge and skills
4. Training activities
5. Professional development activities
6. Qualifications