ICT Capability Frameworks

If you are applying for ICT jobs it’s wise to be aware of ICT capability frameworks so that you pitch your case to the level and type of role, as well as consider further professional development, and map your career path in this profession.

The primary ICT framework is the internationally recognised Skills Framework for the Information Age. It is a high-level IT skills standard providing a model for describing and managing competencies for ICT professionals and mapping skills to categories and responsibility levels.

These categories are divided into six main areas:

  • Strategy and planning;
  • Business change;
  • Solutions development and implementation;
  • Service management;
  • Procurement and management support; and
  • Client interface.

Each of these is then further divided into sub-categories, mapping out 86 separately identifiable skills.

There are seven levels of responsibility, in ascending order:

  • Follow;
  • Assist;
  • Apply;
  • Enable;
  • Ensure and advise;
  • Initiate and influence; and
  • Set strategy, inspire and mobilise.

Each of these responsibility levels has a generic description showing the level of autonomy, influence, complexity, and business skills required.

Follow is the most junior level and refers to a basic capability to complete tasks under close supervision. A person at this level is not expected to use much initiative.

The most senior level is Set strategy, inspire, and mobilise. At this level a person has authority to set policy, make decisions critical to the organisation, influence key suppliers and customers at top level. Level seven covers the full range of management and leadership skills

Each level of responsibility within each skill has a brief description of the typical tasks expected of someone in that role. Combined, this all makes for a fairly complicated framework.

The APS has developed ICT Workforce Plans.

The Queensland Government has developed an ICT Skills Framework which provides agencies with a consistent approach and language for ICT skill management, capability and leadership. Career management is aided by ICT career streams based on the framework.

ICT professionals need to understand these frameworks and take them into account when applying for jobs, both in their resume and responses to selection criteria.

 

Dr Ann Villiers, career coach, writer and author, is Australia’s only Mental Nutritionist specialising in mind and language practices that help people build flexible thinking, confident speaking and quality connections with people.