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The purpose of SFIA

The right people with the right skills in the right place at the right time.

The Skills Framework for the Information Age (SFIA) provides a common reference model for the identification of the skills needed to develop effective information systems (IS) making use of information technologies (IT). It is a simple and logical two dimensional framework consisting of areas of work on one axis and levels of responsibility on the other.

The overall purpose of SFIA is to assist organisations employing IT professionals to

reduce IT project risk
retain staff
make recruitment effective
enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of the IT function

by developing the right skills, by deploying them to best effect and by providing appropriate development and career paths for IT professionals.

SFIA uses a common language and a sensible, logical structure that can be used to facilitate the processes of skills development in all businesses using or providing Information Technology. It is easily understood by:

IT professionals and their managers in industry and Government
HR managers, professionals and training staff
non-technical managers
lecturers and curriculum planners in education and training organisations