Developing SFIA 5

When working to create The Skills Framework for the Information Age, the developers were determined that SFIA would be a useful tool for managers and professionals working in Information technology  around the world.

In order to achieve that, the design goals were:

• emphasis on skills, not technologies or products
• enough detail to be useful, but able to be summarised on one piece of paper
• a practical tool that fits into any scheme of management
• reflects informed thinking in the IT industry

These were achieved so successfully that SFIA has become the IT world’s favourite skills framework.

However, the fourth design objective implies an on-going commitment. The not-for-profit SFIA Foundation was established to fulfil that commitment. It has done so by leading a triennial process of review that has made sure that SFIA remains compatible with current views on skills, and is not distracted by technological developments.

Avoiding dramatic change and discontinuity, SFIA has stayed relevant by evolving as its users’ needs have evolved.

This guide presents version 5 of The Skills Framework for the Information Age. The SFIA Foundation commends it to you as the common language of skills in IT today.

R McLaren

Operations Manager

SFIA Foundation