e-Learning Course on Green ICT Strategies: Part 5 SFIA and learning objectives

In part four I described the use of social networking for coordinating the ACS Computer Professional Education Program (CPE Program) with staff of for ACS Education. Now I need to details some learning objectives aligned with SFIA for a new e-learning course on "Green IT Strategies". The most relevant SFIA categories are: Procurement & Management support and Strategy & planning.

Strategy & planning

The Strategy & planning seems more high level, so I will start with that. What I need are responsibility and accountability at SIFA Level 5: "ensure, advise: Broad direction, supervisory, objective setting responsibility. Influences organisation. Challenging and unpredictable work. Self sufficient in business skills".

Strategy & planning	Information strategy	Information management
	Advice and guidance	Consultancy
		Technical specialism

The first subcategory is "Information strategy" with skill "Information management" but this has no level 5 and does not seem that relevant. Similarly, "Advice and guidance" Consultancy has no level 5 and "Technical specialism" is proposed for deletion from the next version of SFIA, so there seems no point in using it.

Business/IS strategy and planning	Research
	Innovation
	Business process improvement
	Strategic application of information systems
	Business risk management
	Information security
	Information assurance

Research would be relevant for a university orientated course, but not for a practical one like CPEP. Business process improvement has the potential to provide significant environmental improvements, by replacing energy and materials consuming processes with more efficient ICT ones:

The identification of new and alternative approaches to performing business activities. The analysis of business processes, including recognition of the potential for automation of the processes, assessment of the costs and potential benefits of the new approaches considered and, where appropriate, management of change, and assistance with implementation.

SFIA 3: Use of this skill at this level

Analyses business processes; identifies alternative solutions, assesses feasibility, and recommends new approaches. Contributes to evaluating the factors which must be addressed in the change programme. Helps establish requirements for the implementation of changes in the business process. ...

From: Business process improvement: Level , SFIA Foundation, 2008

Strategic application of information systems can be used to translate environmental business vision, goals and strategy for the enterprise's future state. The SFIA version 3 description for this seems a bit short and vague, and I prefer the expanded proposed version 4:

Contributes to the creation and review of a systems capability strategy which meets the strategic requirements of the business. Develops models and plans to drive forward the strategy, taking advantage of opportunities to improve business performance. Takes responsibility for investigative work to determine requirements and specify effective business processes, through improvements in information systems, data management, practices, procedures, organisation and equipment.


From: Enterprise Architecture (replaces "Strategic Application of Information Systems"): Level 5 Proposed for SFIA 4, SFIA Foundation, 2008

Technical strategy and planning	Systems architecture
	Emerging technology monitoring
	Continuity management
	Software development process improvement
	Network planning
	Methods and tools

Systems architecture seems a little all encompassing for just Green ICT. Emerging technology monitoring is the first skill which looks relevant:

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 to the organisation. The promotion of emerging technology awareness among staff and business management.

SFIA 3: Use of this skill at this level

Monitors the market to gain knowledge and understanding of currently emerging technologies. Identifies new and emerging hardware and software technologies and products based on own area of expertise, assesses their relevance and potential value to the organisation, contributes to briefings of staff and business management. ...

From: Emerging technology monitoring: Level , SFIA Foundation, 2008

Those working on Green ICT will need to know what new sustainable technologies are available.

Continuity management might be relevant where new green data centres are being planned, but is a peripheral issue. Similarly Software development process improvement might be used to make more efficient applications which therefore need less hardware to run on and less energy and Network planning could be used for greener networks, but these are also not central to the course.

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.

SFIA 3: Use of this skill at this level

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

From: Methods & tools: Level 5, SFIA Foundation, 2008

Procurement & management support

	Supply management	Procurement
		Supplier relationship management

Procurement appears central to the Green ICT issues. One of the primary ways to make ICT sustainable is to use different criteria in the procurement of hardware, software and services. This looks like it might be the most important skill needed.

The management, or provision of advice on, the procurement of goods and services.

SFIA 3: Use of this skill at this level

Clarifies specifications for key products and services. Investigates the technical and commercial options for fulfilling the requirements, including possible sources of supply, and agrees the preferred options and potential suppliers with the business. Ensures that suppliers are approved in accordance with company procedures. Manages the tender, evaluation and acquisition process with expert assistance as required. Negotiates with preferred suppliers, drafts contracts and technical schedules, develops acceptance procedures and criteria. Places contracts. Implements, maintains and disseminates procurement strategy, policy, standards, methods and processes.

Proposed for SFIA 4: Use of this skill at this level

Clarifies specifications for key products and services. Investigates the technical and commercial options for fulfilling the requirements, including possible sources of supply, and agrees the preferred options and potential suppliers with the business. Ensures that suppliers are approved in accordance with company procedures. Manages the tender, evaluation and acquisition process with expert assistance as required. Typically as part of a wider commercial and legal team, assists with negotiations with preferred suppliers, drafting contracts and technical schedules, and developing acceptance procedures and criteria. Places contracts. Implements, maintains and disseminates procurement strategy, policy, standards, methods and processes. ...

From: Procurement: Level 5, SFIA Foundation, 2008

Supplier relationship management seems less relevant.

Quality management	Quality management
	Quality assurance
	Quality standards
	Compliance audit
	Safety assessment

The quality management Subcategory is relevant, in that there are many similarities between the software quality standards used in ICT and the ISO 14000 series environmental management standards. The Skill Compliance audit specifically refers to ISO 14,000:

The independent assessment of the conformity of any activity, process, deliverable, product or service with the criteria of specified standards, such as ISO 27001, local standards, best practice, or other documented requirements. May relate to, for example, asset management, network security tools, firewalls and internet security, real-time systems and application design.

SFIA 3: Use of this skill at this level

Evaluates and independently appraises the internal control of automated business processes, based on investigation evidence and assessments undertaken by self or team. Ensures that independent appraisals follow agreed procedure and advises others on the audit process. Provides advice to management on ways of improving the effectiveness and efficiency of their control mechanisms. Compliance activity can include safety assessments of the design, testing and validation and verification methods used in given safety-related systems. Involves the identification and evaluation of associated risks and how they can be reduced. ...

From: Compliance review (Replaces "Compliance audit"): Level 5, SFIA Foundation, 2008

Safety assessment looks less relevant as it refers mostly to human safety, not that of the entire planet.

Resource management	Project office
	Asset management
	Information System co-ordination
	Client services management
	Professional development
	Resourcing

Resource management looks a little too operational for Green ICT.