How SFIA works

Levels of responsibility and autonomy

People exercise skills at different levels. The first axis in the Framework is the division of roles into seven levels, reflecting the

• autonomy
• influence
• complexity, and
• Business skills which are typical of someone at that level.

Each level is summarised in a word or two to give a flavour. A more detailed description is in the SFIA Framework Categories publication. For further information on how to obtain this document, please go to Access the Framework. 

1. Follow
2. Assist
3. Apply
4. Enable
5. Ensure, advise
6. initiate, influence
7. Set strategy, envision

The Framework does not divide the levels into "professional", "technical" and "managerial" areas. Within the IS industry, these are not always meaningful distinctions.

The levels range from 1 at basic entry to 7 at a very senior level, normally in a large organisation.

Each level within each role is made up of a different combination of skills, but all roles at the same level have similar degrees of autonomy, influence and complexity, and practitioners will normally need the same kinds of business skills. A senior practitioner (level 5) in software development will have different skills from a senior practitioner in user support, but they will demonstrate similar approaches and abilities.

Individuals can be easily assigned to a level on the basis of the overall job they do; though they may have higher or lower levels in the individual skills, which make up their job.