Strategy and architecture

Information strategy

Analytics - INAN

The validation and analysis of significant volumes of data, including the ability to discover and quantify patterns and trends in numbers, symbols, text, sound and image. Relevant techniques may include statistical and data mining algorithms and machine learning methods such as rule induction, artificial neural networks, genetic algorithms and automated indexing systems.

Level 6

Establishes and manages analytical methods and techniques, such as predictive analytics, enterprise decision support, retail analytics and web analytics. Plans and implements the dissemination of methods and techniques.

Information content publishing - ICPM

The evaluation and application of different publishing methods and options, recognising key features, including open source and proprietary options. The management and tuning of the processes that collect, assemble and publish information, including in unstructured and semi-structured forms, for delivery to the user at the point at which it is needed. The management of copyright, data protection and other legal issues associated with publishing and re-use of published information and data.

Level 6

Develops strategies for the delivery of information and knowledge, including preferred media, and rules for formatting content. Ensures that adequate procedures, standards, tools and resources are in place to ensure the appropriate quality of material developed by information publishers within the organisation. Takes responsibility for publishing strategy, including, for example, frameworks for the overall information structure and graphical style for substantial, complex or high-profile web sites. Directs the selection of appropriate tools, templates and standards for publication in various forms, appropriate to customer expectations.

Technical strategy and planning

Emerging technology monitoring - EMRG

The identification of new and emerging hardware, software and communication technologies and products, services, methods and techniques and the assessment of their relevance and potential value as business enablers, improvements in cost/performance or sustainability. The promotion of emerging technology awareness among staff and business management.

Level 6

Co-ordinates the identification and assessment of new and emerging hardware, software and communication technologies, products, methods and techniques. Evaluates likely relevance of these for the organisation. Provides regular briefings to staff and management.

Methods and tools - METL

Ensuring that appropriate methods and tools for the planning, development, testing, operation, management and maintenance of systems are adopted and used effectively throughout the organisation.

Level 5

Promotes and ensures use of appropriate techniques, methodologies and tools.

Change and transformation

Business change management

Business analysis - BUAN

The methodical investigation, analysis, review and documentation of all or part of a business in terms of business functions and processes, the information used and the data on which the information is based. The definition of requirements for improving processes and systems, reducing their costs, enhancing their sustainability, and the quantification of potential business benefits. The collaborative creation and iteration of viable specifications and acceptance criteria in preparation for the deployment of information and communication systems.

Level 4

Investigates operational requirements, problems, and opportunities, seeking effective business solutions through improvements in automated and non-automated components of new or changed processes. Assists in the analysis of stakeholder objectives, and the underlying issues arising from investigations into business requirements and problems, and identifies options for consideration. Works iteratively with stakeholders, to identify potential benefits and available options for consideration, and in defining acceptance tests.

Requirements definition and management - REQM

The definition and management of the business goals and scope of change initiatives. The specification of business requirements to a level that enables effective delivery of agreed changes.

Level 5

Facilitates scoping and business priority setting for large or complex changes, engaging senior stakeholders as required. Selects the most appropriate means of representing business requirements in the context of a specific change initiative. Drives the requirements elicitation process where necessary, identifying what stakeholder input is required. Obtains formal agreement from a large and diverse range of potentially senior stakeholders and recipients to the scope and requirements, plus the establishment of a base-line on which delivery of a solution can commence. Takes responsibility for the investigation and application of changes to programme scope. Identifies the impact on business requirements of external impacts affecting a programme or project.

Business process testing - BPTS

The planning, design, management, execution and reporting of business process tests and usability evaluations. The application of evaluation skills to the assessment of the ergonomics, usability and fitness for purpose of defined processes. This includes the synthesis of test tasks to be performed (from statement of user needs and user interface specification), the design of an evaluation programme, the selection of user samples, the analysis of performance, and inputting results to the development team.

Level 5

Designs and manages tests of new/updated processes. Specifies test environment for whole life-cycle testing (e.g. using model office concept). Manages selection/creation of relevant scenarios for testing and ensures that tests reflect realistic operational business conditions. Ensure tests and results are documented, reported to stakeholders and are available for specification of user instructions. Highlights issues and risks identified during testing to business stakeholders. Provides specialist guidance and advice to less experienced colleagues and users to ensure that test are conducted in an appropriate manner.

Benefits management - BENM

Monitoring for the emergence and effective realisation of anticipated benefits (typically specified as part of the business case for a change programme or project). Action (typically by the programme management team) to optimise the business impact of individual and combined benefits.

Level 5

Identifies specific measures and mechanisms by which benefits can be measured, and plans to activate these mechanisms at the required time. Monitors benefits against what was predicted in the business case and ensures that all participants are informed and involved throughout the change programme and fully prepared to exploit the new operational business environment once it is in place. Supports senior management to ensure that all plans, work packages and deliverables are aligned to the expected benefits and leads activities required in the realisation of the benefits of each part of the change programme.

Development and implementation

Systems development

Data analysis - DTAN

The investigation, evaluation, interpretation and classification of data, in order to define and clarify information structures which describe the relationships between real world entities. Such structures facilitate the development of software systems, links between systems or retrieval activities.

Level 5

Sets standards for data analysis tools and techniques, advises on their application, and ensures compliance. Manages the investigation of corporate data requirements, and co-ordinates the application of data analysis and data modelling techniques, based upon a detailed understanding of the corporate information requirements, in order to establish, modify or maintain data structures and their associated components (entity descriptions, relationship descriptions, attribute definitions).

Systems design - DESN

The specification and design of information systems to meet defined business needs in any public or private context, including commercial, industrial, scientific, gaming and entertainment. The identification of concepts and their translation into implementable design. The design or selection of components. The retention of compatibility with enterprise and solution architectures, and the adherence to corporate standards within constraints of cost, security and sustainability.

Level 4

Recommends/designs structures and tools for systems which meet business needs and takes into account target environment, performance security requirements and existing systems. Delivers technical visualisation of proposed applications for approval by customer and execution by system developers. Translates logical designs into physical designs, and produces detailed design documentation. Maps work to user specification and removes errors and deviations from specification to achieve user-friendly processes.

User experience

User experience analysis - UNAN

The identification, analysis, clarification and communication of the context of use in which applications will operate, and of the goals of products, systems or services. Analysis and prioritisation of stakeholders’ “user experience” needs and definition of required system behaviour and performance. Resolution of potential conflicts between user requirements and determination of usability objectives

Level 5

Analyses the implications of the context of use for system development. Advises on tools and methods to be used and clarifies and communicates the user experience, users' characteristics and tasks, and the technical, organisational and physical environment in which products or systems will operate. Advises on interpretation of the organisation’s branding for new digital environments.

User experience design - HCEV

The iterative development of user tasks, interaction and interfaces to meet user requirements, considering the whole user experience. Refinement of design solutions in response to user-centred evaluation and feedback and communication of the design to those responsible for implementation.

Level 5

Develops visual user experiences across digital assets by guiding project teams to evolve key elements of a digital proposition. Combines understanding of customers and market conditions, with knowledge of digital trends, to create concepts that are both user-centred and competitively differentiating. Facilitates the generation of new concepts and ideas and illustrates concepts with impact. Manages client expectations, explaining the costs and benefits of user experience activities, and advising on risks resulting from poor user experience.

User experience evaluation - USEV

Evaluation of systems, products or services, to assure that the stakeholder and organisational requirements have been met, required practice has been followed, and systems in use continue to meet organisational and user needs. Iterative assessment (from early prototypes to final live implementation) of effectiveness, efficiency, user satisfaction, health and safety, and accessibility to measure or improve the usability of new or existing processes, with the intention of achieving optimum levels of product or service usability.

Level 5

Advises on achievement of usability (including health and safety and accessibility) of specific visual design approaches and their suitability for different audiences. Advises on what to evaluate and type of evaluation. Manages evaluation of systems, products or services, to assure that the stakeholder and organisational requirements have been met, required practice has been followed, and systems in use continue to meet organisational and user needs. Evaluates design aspects of web tenders and a proposals including wireframes and mockups. Ensures that the results of evaluations are understood by system developers. Influences design teams to take action on the findings of usability tests