Qualifications Framework - Education Bureau

1. Strategic Management (SM)

Strategic Management (SM) involves formulating ICT strategies to align with existing organization's objectives and suggesting new ICT strategies to increase organization's competitiveness. It may also involve adopting appropriate information and communication technologies and ideas in product development management and ICT management. This also includes developing and involving the ICT organization, people and process in support of the business strategy.

Competency Matrix

Integrated Competencies

QF Level

Function/Name

Code

Credit

Level 5

Brand Management
Manage product/services brand through the use of IT		ITSWSM508A	4

Contingency Management
Manage contingency situations		ITSWSM505A	7

Human Resources and Staff Management [Generic Skills]
Recruit, retain and develop IT staff		ITSWGS521A	8

Information Management
Collect and distribute disseminate information	ITSWSM506A	2
Manage information life cycle	ITSWSM507A	3

IT Governance
Monitor the IT governance process		ITSWSM501A	3

IT Planning and Budgeting
Formulate IT business model	ITSWSM502A	4
Formulate IT plan	ITSWSM503A	4
Prepare a budget based on the IT plan	ITSWSM504A	6

Resources management [Generic Skills]
Utilize the given IT and related resources		ITSWGS520A	4

Risk management [Generic Skills]
Acquire and protect the copyrights and IP rights related to IT		ITSWGS523A	4

Level 6

Contingency Management
Develop business continuity plans and disaster recovery plans related to IT		ITSWSM609A	7

Financial Management [Generic Skills]
Establish a business case for an IT investment		ITSWGS617A	11

Human Resources and Staff Management [Generic Skills]
Develop and maintain succession plans for human resources related to IT		ITSWGS615A	8

Information Management
Transform information into business knowledge and value	ITSWSM610A	2
Set policy to control data security and privacy	ITSWSM611A	4

IT Consulting and Champion
Identify and evaluate information technologies that support the objectives of an organisation	ITSWSM612A	2
Select appropriate information technologies for business purposes	ITSWSM613A	1
Understand Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC) and software development process	ITSWGS619A	4
Understand IT operations and IT processing	ITSWGS620A	4
Understand IT project management	ITSWGS621A	4
Understand organisational and project quality assurance	ITSWGS622A	3
Adopt and adapt international standards concerning information security as appropriate	ITSWGS623A	3
Comply with relevant laws and regulatory requirements	ITSWGS624A	1

IT Governance
Establish the IT governance framework and process	ITSWSM607A	4
Evaluate and review the execution of the approved IT plans	ITSWSM608A	4

Relationship Management [Generic Skills]
Manage and maintain the portfolio and relationship with business partners		ITSWGS618A	4

Resources management [Generic Skills]
Allocate and prioritize IT and related resources		ITSWGS614A	4

Risk Management [Generic Skills]
Identify and assess the risk factors related to IT	ITSWGS609A	4
Develop risk mitigation strategies and plans related to IT	ITSWGS610A	4
Review risk factors related to IT, and execute and monitor risk mitigation plans	ITSWGS611A	3

Strategic Execution and Review
Formulate relevant tactical plans based on the approved IT strategies and policies	ITSWSM604A	5
Execute, monitor and review the approved IT strategies and plans	ITSWSM605A	5
Evaluate the effectiveness of the execution of the approved IT plans	ITSWSM606A	5

Strategic Formulation
Formulate vision and mission statements	ITSWSM601A	3
Formulate the business strategies and policies	ITSWSM602A	4
Formulate IT strategies and policies	ITSWSM603A	4

2. Project Management (PM)

Project Management (PM) applies the knowledge, skills, tools and techniques to project activities to meet project requirements. It involves management of software projects and/or professional services so as to deliver quality products/services to stakeholders according to the project scope, schedule, cost, quality and any other agreed terms and conditions, and if necessary, to manage changes in an effective manner.

Competency Matrix

Integrated Competencies

QF Level

Function/Name

Code

Credit

Level 4

Project Communications Management
Establish project communications documentation requirements	ITSWPM403A	2
Perform information distribution	ITSWPM404A	2
Implement project time reporting	ITSWPM405A	1
Communicate with stakeholders at project checkpoints	ITSWPM406A	2

Project Time Management
Prepare the project schedule	ITSWPM401A	1
Execute and manage the project schedule	ITSWPM402A	1

Level 5

Project Communications Management
Establish a preliminary project communications plan	ITSWPM515A	1
Develop a project communications plan	ITSWPM516A	2
Conduct project performance reporting	ITSWPM517A	2
Conduct project closure with respect to project communications	ITSWPM518A	2

Project Cost Management
Articulate the project costing requirements	ITSWPM506A	2
Execute and manage the project cost	ITSWPM507A	2
Monitor and control the project cost	ITSWPM508A	2

Project Human Resources Management
Define the organizational structure of a project	ITSWPM511A	3
Establish organizational plan	ITSWPM512A	3
Establish and develop the project team	ITSWPM513A	4
Manage project team	ITSWPM514A	2

Project Procurement and Contract Management
Conduct solicitation planning	ITSWPM521A	7
Conduct solicitation	ITSWPM522A	5
Conduct source selection and/or contract development	ITSWPM523A	5
Award Contract	ITSWPM524A	4
Conduct contract administration and contract monitoring	ITSWPM525A	5
Conduct contract closeout	ITSWPM526A	5

Project Quality Management
Manage the execution of a project quality management plan	ITSWPM509A	2
Monitor and control the project quality	ITSWPM510A	1

Project Risk Management
Execute the risk management and response plans	ITSWPM519A	2
Monitor and control the risks of a project	ITSWPM520A	2

Project Scope Management
Define project scope	ITSWPM501A	4
Execute and manage the project scope	ITSWPM502A	2

Project Time Management
Articulate the product-based planning as needed for time and effort requirements	ITSWPM503A	1
Monitor, control and update project schedule	ITSWPM504A	2
Conduct project closure with respect to time	ITSWPM505A	1

Level 6

Project Cost Management
Prepare a preliminary cost model	ITSWPM610A	2
Develop the project cost	ITSWPM611A	4
Conduct cost review upon project completion	ITSWPM612A	2

Project Human Resources Management
Conduct Project Closure with respect to project team		ITSWPM616A	2

Project Integration Management
Perform an initial project feasibility study	ITSWPM601A	2
Prepare a project charter and kick-off package as well as information	ITSWPM602A	1
Prepare initial project plan	ITSWPM603A	2
Execute the project plan	ITSWPM604A	1
Monitor and control project execution	ITSWPM605A	1
Conduct project closure with regard to integration	ITSWPM606A	1

Project Procurement and Contract Management
Establish preliminary procurement policies and procedures	ITSWPM621A	5
Conduct project procurement planning	ITSWPM622A	6

Project Quality Management
Determine quality policies and define quality requirements for a project	ITSWPM613A	3
Develop a project quality management plan for project execution	ITSWPM614A	4
Conduct project closure with regard to quality	ITSWPM615A	2

Project Risk Management
Establish a risk management approach and process for a project	ITSWPM617A	2
Develop a risk management plan	ITSWPM618A	2
Develop a risk response plan	ITSWPM619A	2
Conduct project closure with respect to project risk management	ITSWPM620A	1

Project Scope Management
Monitor and control the project scope	ITSWPM607A	2
Conduct project closure with regard to project scope	ITSWPM608A	3

Project Time Management
Develop a project schedule		ITSWPM609A	4

3. Architecture (AR)

Architecture (AR) refers to the knowledge and skills required for the activities and professional practices undertaken by its practitioners in the design of fundamental organization of a software system, embodied in its components and building blocks. It includes the various considerations given to the inter-relationship of these components and the environment under which they need to operate and function to meet their design goals. It also defines the sets of principles governing the evolution of these architecture components and the way by which they must be fitted together to serve the agreed system objectives.
The following are the core functions and knowledge areas in Software Architecture:
a. Architecture Framework and Vision
b. Business Architecture
c. Data Architecture
d. Technical Architecture
e. Network Architecture
f. Application Integration Architecture
g. Application Software Architecture
h. Embedded Software Architecture
i. Security Architecture (See Information Security functional area)

Competency Matrix

Integrated Competencies

QF Level

Function/Name

Code

Credit

Level 4

Application Software Architecture
Maintain a library of reusable application components		ITSWAR402A	1

Network Architecture
Document the abstracted layer design of the network architecture		ITSWAR401A	2

Level 5

Application Integration Architecture
Establish guidelines on adoption of application integration architecture	ITSWAR515A	1
Ensure operable application integration architecture is in place	ITSWAR516A	1
Manage application integration architecture life cycle	ITSWAR517A	1
Application Software Architecture
Understand key characteristics of various application software architecture models	ITSWAR518A	1
Develop application software architecture models	ITSWAR519A	2
Keep in-house practices in line with industry best practices	ITSWAR520A	2

Architecture Framework and Vision
Evaluate and select architecture design options and related architecture artefacts	ITSWAR501A	2
Review and make improvements to the relevant architecture development initiatives	ITSWAR502A	2
Define and develop various architecture design building blocks (components) for an organisation	ITSWAR503A	2

Business Architecture
Perform gap analysis of the current business architecture against the target business architecture	ITSWAR504A	5
Define metrics and methodologies to measure business performance of applying new technologies	ITSWAR505A	3
Promote and explain the new business architecture to stakeholders in an organisation	ITSWAR506A	2

Embedded Software Architecture
Understand key characteristics of embedded software systems		ITSWAR521A	2

Network Architecture
Define, review and validate network architecture principles	ITSWAR509A	2
Develop a network technology architecture model	ITSWAR510A	5
Perform gap analysis of the current network architecture against the business requirements	ITSWAR511A	3
Design and construction of network architecture	ITSWAR512A	3
Model and analyse network architecture	ITSWAR513A	3
Perform lifecycle management of the network architecture	ITSWAR514A	3

Technology Architecture
Model technology architecture	ITSWAR507A	4
Define metrics to ensure that a technology architecture meets the business goals	ITSWAR508A	3

Level 6

Application Integration Architecture
Recommend application integration architecture models	ITSWAR617A	2
Develop application integration architecture resources	ITSWAR618A	2

Architecture Framework and Vision
Define, prioritise and document architecture vision and principles for an organisation	ITSWAR601A	4
Advocate and explain the adopted architecture design methodology to stakeholders	ITSWAR602A	2
Establish processes to monitor the adopted architecture principles, design guidelines and resultant designs	ITSWAR603A	2
Establish processes to manage the implementation of adopted architecture designs	ITSWAR604A	2

Business Architecture
Review the current baseline and develop a target business architecture for an organisation	ITSWAR605A	5
Capture, analyse and model various viewpoints of a business architecture	ITSWAR606A	5
Review, design and re-engineer business processes to form a new business architecture	ITSWAR607A	3

Data Architecture
Define data management policies and architecture principles	ITSWAR608A	3
Build a data architecture registry	ITSWAR609A	6
Define and establish a data architecture	ITSWAR610A	3
Construct a data architecture for an information system	ITSWAR611A	5
Check usability of a target data architecture	ITSWAR612A	5
Enforce compliance of the enterprise data standards	ITSWAR613A	3

Embedded Software Architecture
Recommend embedded software architecture models	ITSWAR619A	6
Determine technology mix for the design and development of embedded software systems	ITSWAR620A	3
Decompose embedded software system model into manageable layers	ITSWAR621A	6
Maintain a common library of reusable embedded software components	ITSWAR622A	6
Exercise lifecycle management on the adopted embedded software architecture	ITSWAR623A	5

Technology Architecture
Define, review and document a technology architecture baseline	ITSWAR614A	5
Build, evaluate and review a target technology architecture reference model	ITSWAR615A	5
Manage technology architecture life cycle	ITSWAR616A	3

4. Information Security (IS)

Information Security (IS) refers to the protection of information from a wide range of threats in order to ensure business continuity, minimize business risk, and maximize return on investments and business opportunities. It involves providing advice and counsel to senior management to establish information security requirements and appropriate corporate-wide policies as well as managing the execution of information security programs within an organization.

Competency Matrix

Integrated Competencies

QF Level

Function/Name

Code

Credit

Level 4

Risk Management
Report significant changes in risks		ITSWIS401A	1

Information Security Governance
Ensure information security procedures and guidelines support information security policies		ITSWIS402A	2

Information Security Programme Management
Maintain plans to implement information security governance framework	ITSWIS403A	3
Support and implement information security practices and procedures	ITSWIS404A	2
Implement information security awareness programme	ITSWIS405A	2

Response Management
Conduct drills according to response and recovery plans		ITSWIS406A	2

Level 5

Business Continuity Planning
Establish a business continuity planning strategy	ITSWIS519A	2
Prepare full set of business continuity planning documentation	ITSWIS520A	2
Conduct drill test on business continuity planning	ITSWIS521A	4
Provide awareness training program to staff dealing with business continuity planning	ITSWIS522A	2

Forensics
Provide advice on computer forensics	ITSWIS515A	3
Manage computer forensics evidence	ITSWIS516A	3
Investigate an information security case	ITSWIS517A	5
Prepare and present forensics investigation report	ITSWIS518A	3

Information Security Governance
Establish reporting and communication channels	ITSWIS502A	2
Maintain information security policies	ITSWIS523A	2

Information Security Management
Develop information security practices and procedures	ITSWIS506A	2
Evaluate and assess effectiveness of corporate information security practices	ITSWIS507A	3
Ensure availability, integrity and confidentiality of information systems	ITSWIS508A	2
Develop information security awareness programme	ITSWIS509A	2

Information Security Programme Management
Develop methods to satisfy information security policy requirements	ITSWIS505A	4
Promote accountability in managing information security risks	ITSWIS524A	3
Minimize information security risks	ITSWIS525A	3

Information System Audit
Enact information system security audit plan	ITSWIS513A	3
Prepare and deliver information system security audit report	ITSWIS514A	4
Evaluate and follow up on the recommendations in the information system security audit report	ITSWIS526A	4

Response Management
Manage the execution of response and recovery plans	ITSWIS511A	3
Establish procedures for documenting security incident	ITSWIS512A	2

Risk Management
Ensure risk management related activities are integrated into life cycle processes	ITSWIS503A	1
Define strategies and prioritize options to mitigate risk	ITSWIS504A	2

Level 6

Business Continuity Planning
Plan and maintain business continuity solutions		ITSWIS620A	4

Crisis Management
Facilitate cross functional teams for crisis management	ITSWIS616A	1
Prepare a crisis management plan and perform life cycle management of the plan	ITSWIS617A	3

Information Security Governance
Establish and maintain information security policies	ITSWIS601A	4
Develop a business case and perform an enterprise value analysis	ITSWIS603A	3
Develop information security strategy and obtain management buy-in	ITSWIS621A	2

Information Security Management
Develop, propose and promulgate an enterprise’s information security policies	ITSWIS611A	4
Establish corporate information security standards	ITSWIS612A	2

Information Security Programme Management
Create and maintain plans to implement information security governance framework	ITSWIS606A	4
Integrate information security programme requirements into an enterprise’s life cycle activities	ITSWIS607A	4
Establish metrics to manage information security governance framework	ITSWIS609A	4

Information System Audit
Develop an information system security audit plan		ITSWIS618A	4

Response Management
Devise processes for detecting, identifying and analysing security incident	ITSWIS613A	2
Develop response and recovery plans	ITSWIS614A	3
Manage post-event reviews	ITSWIS615A	3

Risk Management
Develop a risk management process	ITSWIS604A	3
Identify and evaluate risks	ITSWIS605A	2

5. Design, Development, and Maintenance (DM)

Design, Development, and Maintenance (DM) refers to the design, development and maintenance of appropriate software applications for stakeholders. It is considered as the traditional core activities in the software lifecycle from gathering requirements, proposing design solutions, developing program modules, and maintaining software operations when the software is in production.

Competency Matrix

Integrated Competencies

QF Level

Function/Name

Code

Credit

Level 4

Software Decommissioning
Identify components that need to be managed in software decommissioning	ITSWDM406A	1
Verify and validate the remaining software are functioning properly	ITSWDM407A	1

Software Deployment and Migration
Verify and validate the deployed / migrated software and the existing software are functioning properly		ITSWDM405A	1

Software Quality Assurance
Perform testing activities to facilitate different levels of testing	ITSWDM401A	2
Report discrepancies between software and its related documents	ITSWDM402A	1
Debug a program	ITSWDM403A	1
Perform software audit	ITSWDM404A	1

Level 5

Requirements
Formulate, analyse, and develop requirements for the development of software products / services	ITSWDM501A	8
Verify and validate requirements for the development of the software product	ITSWDM502A	6

Software Decommissioning
Monitor the decommissioning plan and processes		ITSWDM511A	2

Software Deployment and Migration
Identify the Standard Operating Environment (SOE) and related issues for a software to be deployed/migrated		ITSWDM510A	2

Software Development (Programming) and Related Activities
Develop program modules of the software based on its design documents	ITSWDM504A	6
Manage and maintain the program source	ITSWDM505A	2

Software Maintenance
Identify extra functional requirements of an existing software	ITSWDM508A	1
Identify extra non-functional requirements of an existing software	ITSWDM509A	1

Software Quality Assurance
Perform inspection for the program code and software documents	ITSWDM506A	2
Develop test plans for various levels of testing	ITSWDM507A	2

Software/Systems Design
Verify and validate the relevant design documentations of the software/system		ITSWDM503A	1

Level 6

Software Configuration Management
Develop and implement the change control policy	ITSWDM604A	1
Develop and implement software configuration management plan	ITSWDM605A	1

Software Decommissioning
Define software decommissioning policy and plan		ITSWDM613A	4

Software Deployment and Migration
Perform risk assessment on software deployment and migration	ITSWDM610A	2
Define a software deployment / migration plan	ITSWDM611A	4
Monitor the deployment / migration process	ITSWDM612A	2

Software Releases & Control
Identify the requirements for software releases and control	ITSWDM606A	2
Perform risk assessment on software releases and control	ITSWDM607A	4
Define software releases and control plan	ITSWDM608A	4
Execute and monitor the software releases and control plan	ITSWDM609A	4

Software/Systems Design
Propose an architecture design (AD) of the software/system	ITSWDM601A	1
Propose a high level design (HLD) of the software	ITSWDM602A	1
Propose a detailed level design (DLD) of the software	ITSWDM603A	1

6. Operations and Support (OS)

Operations and Support (OS) refers to the operations and support of Software Products and Software Services (SW) branch in their day-to-day running. It covers the management and provision of operations and support services for all related ICT operation activities such as change management services, system/server operations, configuration management services, and disaster recovery services.

Competency Matrix

Integrated Competencies

QF Level

Function/Name

Code

Credit

Level 2

Configuration Management Services
Perform stock-take of IT assets		ITSWOS201A	1

Level 3

Field Support Services
Deliver field support services	ITSWOS306A	3
Recover failed hardware and software components	ITSWOS307A	2
Apply technical changes and patches to the hardware and software components	ITSWOS308A	2

Help Desk Service
Deliver Help Desk services	ITSWOS301A	3
Maintain the help desk knowledge database	ITSWOS302A	4

Problem Management Service
Maintain the problem management knowledge database		ITSWOS303A	1

System Operations
Monitor and control the system operation services	ITSWOS304A	3
Deliver the system operations services	ITSWOS305A	2

Level 4

Availability Management Services
Deliver availability management services		ITSWOS406A	2

Change Management Services
Deliver the change management services		ITSWOS405A	3

Configuration Management Services
Deliver configuration management services		ITSWOS408A	1

Database Administration and Support
Deliver the database operations services		ITSWOS413A	14

Field Support Services
Analyse and fix the hardware and software failure		ITSWOS423A	2

IT Service Continuity Management
Ensure continuous operations of the computing environment	ITSWOS410A	3
Conduct tests and drills to support the Disaster Recovery Plan	ITSWOS411A	3

Problem Management Service
Deliver the problem management services		ITSWOS403A	1

Release Management Services
Deliver the release management services	ITSWOS407A	3
Monitor and control the release management services	ITSWOS419A	3

Security Management Services
Maintain the security control documents		ITSWOS418A	2

Service Level Management
Deliver service level management services	ITSWOS420A	3
Manage the day-to-day operations of service delivery	ITSWOS421A	3

System Operations
Establish and maintain the system operations process		ITSWOS422A	4

System Support Services
Deliver system support services	ITSWOS424A	6
Monitor and control system support services	ITSWOS425A	7

Level 5

Availability Management Services
Recommend availability improvement plans	ITSWOS505A	3
Monitor and control of the service level fulfilment	ITSWOS506A	3
Establish and maintain the availability management process	ITSWOS526A	3

Change Management Services
Maintain a change schedule	ITSWOS503A	2
Manage the day-to-day operation of a change management process	ITSWOS504A	2
Establish and maintain the change management process	ITSWOS525A	2

Configuration Management Services
Monitor and control of the configuration management services		ITSWOS511A	1

Database Administration and Support
Monitor and control of the database operations services		ITSWOS517A	8

Help Desk Service
Monitor and control of the higher severity service request	ITSWOS501A	4
Establish and maintain the help desk process	ITSWOS523A	3

IT Service Continuity Management
Monitor and control of the implementation of Disaster Recovery Plan		ITSWOS512A	2

Performance and Capacity Management Services
Deliver performance and capacity management service	ITSWOS508A	3
Prepare capacity upgrade plan	ITSWOS509A	3
Monitor and control of the performance and capacity management services	ITSWOS510A	3

Problem Management Service
Monitor and control of the problem management services	ITSWOS502A	2
Establish and maintain the problem management process	ITSWOS524A	2

Release Management Services
Establish and maintain the release management process		ITSWOS527A	4

Security Management Services
Deliver the security services for operations	ITSWOS521A	3
Define operational security protection processes	ITSWOS522A	2
Conduct operation security risk assessment and audit	ITSWOS530A	2

Service Level Management
Manage the service relationship with the customers and suppliers		ITSWOS514A	3

System Operations
Manage the exceptional system operations services		ITSWOS528A	3

System Support Services
Establish and maintain system support services process		ITSWOS529A	8

Level 6

Change Management Services
Manage the emergency change request		ITSWOS605A	2

Configuration Management Services
Establish and maintain configuration management process		ITSWOS610A	2

Database Administration and Support
Manage exceptional database operations process	ITSWOS615A	8
Establish and maintain database operations process	ITSWOS616A	14

Help Desk Service
Manage the highest severity incident request		ITSWOS601A	3

IT Service Continuity Management
Perform disaster impact assessment and mitigation		ITSWOS611A	3

Performance and Capacity Management Services
Establish and maintain the performance and capacity management processes		ITSWOS609A	4

Problem Management Service
Manage the exceptional problems		ITSWOS603A	2

Security Management Services
Conduct security investigation		ITSWOS619A	2

Service Level Management
Establish and maintain the service level management process		ITSWOS612A	3

System Support Services
Manage the complex system support services		ITSWOS617A	7

7. Quality Assurance (QA)

Quality Assurance (QA) refers to the knowledge and skills required for assuring the quality of the software products developed by the organizations and / or software services provided by them. The purpose of QA is to provide an independent evaluation of software products/services with respect to the adherence to the intended objectives, processes and standards. QA activities refer to those activities that are used to assure the quality of software products/services are of appropriate standards subject to the quality, scope, cost and time requirements/constraints of the project. QA activities fall into two categories, namely the organizational level QA and the project level QA. The organizational level QA governs the policies, standards, processes, procedures and work that have to be followed by all software products/services whereas the project level QA governs those that are specifically related to and, perhaps, catered for each individual software product/service.

Competency Matrix

Integrated Competencies

QF Level

Function/Name

Code

Credit

Level 4

Product Level QA
Perform quality assurance (QA) activities of a software product	ITSWQA401A	2
Evaluate the quality of a software product	ITSWQA402A	2

Software QA
Perform testing activities to facilitate different levels of testing	ITSWDM401A	2
Report discrepancies between software and its related documents	ITSWDM402A	1
Debug a program	ITSWDM403A	1
Perform software audit	ITSWDM404A	1

Level 5

Organizational Level QA
Implement quality assurance (QA) policies and procedures	ITSWQA501A	4
Assist in quality assurance (QA) certification and international standards adoption	ITSWQA502A	4
Plan and execute organizational quality initiatives	ITSWQA503A	4
Plan and conduct training for quality assurance (QA) activities	ITSWQA504A	4

Product Level QA
Prepare quality assurance (QA) requirements of a software product	ITSWQA505A	2
Plan quality assurance (QA) activities of a software product	ITSWQA506A	3

Software Quality Assurance
Perform inspection for the program code and software documents	ITSWDM506A	2
Develop test plans for various levels of testing	ITSWDM507A	2

Level 6

QA Governance
Establish a quality assurance (QA) entity	ITSWQA601A	4
Formulate quality assurance (QA) policies and procedures	ITSWQA602A	4

Project Quality Management
Determine quality policies and define quality requirements for a project	ITSWPM613A	3
Develop a project quality management plan for project execution	ITSWPM614A	4
Conduct project closure with regard to quality	ITSWPM615A	2

8. Generic Skills (GS)

Generic Skills (GS) refer to the skills that are common to other functional areas. This involves soft skills like ethics, professionalism (e.g., lifelong learning, continuous professional development, and issues related to data privacy, copyright laws as well as intellectual property), communication skills (oral and written; English and Chinese – Cantonese and Putonghua), people and team skills, and management skills (both business and personal) and leadership skills.

Competency Matrix

Integrated Competencies

QF Level

Function/Name

Code

Credit

Level 4

Business Acumen
Manage operation based on existing environment and routines		ITSWGS401A	4

Communication Skills
Communicate (oral and written) information with team members and clients	ITSWGS402A	4
Listen to clients and team members effectively	ITSWGS403A	2
Present effectively to team members and clients	ITSWGS404A	2

Level 5

Business Acumen
Identify business opportunities	ITSWGS508A	3
Review and adjust business strategies and policies	ITSWGS524A	4

Business Ethics
Protect intellectual property rights and data privacy, and observe relevant laws		ITSWGS505A	4

Contract Management
Manage contract		ITSWGS518A	5

Communication Skills
Communicate (oral and written) technical information	ITSWGS512A	1
Listen to all stakeholders effectively	ITSWGS513A	1
Present effectively	ITSWGS514A	1

Continuous Professional Development
Collect and digest ICT development and application information	ITSWGS506A	3
Acquire new knowledge and skills	ITSWGS507A	3
Human Resources and Staff Management
Recruit, retain and develop IT staff	ITSWGS521A	8
Manage staff performance and appraisal	ITSWGS522A	7

Procurement Management
Manage Procurement		ITSWGS519A	5

Management of Ethics and Professionalism
Develop policies and guidelines for the appraisal of the enactment of professionalism	ITSWGS501A	3
Define and establish an appraisal mechanism for the enactment of professionalism	ITSWGS502A	4
Monitor the defined appraisal mechanism for the enactment of professionalism	ITSWGS503A	4
Review and improve the existing appraisal mechanism of the enactment of professionalism	ITSWGS504A	3

Resource Management
Utilize the given IT and related resources		ITSWGS520A	4

Risk Management
Acquire and protect the copyrights and IP rights related to IT		ITSWGS523A	4

Sales and Marketing
Develop sales and marketing strategies	ITSWGS510A	4
Manage product/services brand	ITSWGS511A	4

Social Skills
Team building	ITSWGS515A	2
Interpersonal and people networking skills	ITSWGS516A	1
Negotiate with all stakeholders effectively	ITSWGS517A	2

Level 6

Business Acumen
Formulate vision and mission statements	ITSWSM601A	3
Formulate the business strategies and policies	ITSWSM602A	4
Forecast and monitor business performance	ITSWGS607A	4
Identify opportunities to increase, strengthen, and enhance the competitive advantage	ITSWGS608A	4
Capture market and competitor intelligence	ITSWGS625A	4

Change Management
Manage changes		ITSWGS613A	5

Financial Management
Establish a business case for an IT investment		ITSWGS617A	11

Human Resources and Staff Management
Develop and maintain succession plans for human resources related to IT		ITSWGS615A	8

IT Consulting and Champion
Understand Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC) and software development process	ITSWGS619A	4
Understand IT operations and IT processing	ITSWGS620A	4
Understand IT project management	ITSWGS621A	4
Understand organisational and project quality assurance	ITSWGS622A	3
Adopt and adapt international standards concerning information security as appropriate	ITSWGS623A	3
Comply with relevant laws and regulatory requirements	ITSWGS624A	1

Personal Attribute
Lead and motivate a team	ITSWGS604A	6
Apply analytical methods and techniques in problem solving	ITSWGS605A	6
Delegate responsibilities	ITSWGS606A	3

Relationship Management
Manage and maintain the portfolio and relationship with business partners		ITSWGS618A	4

Resource Management
Allocate and prioritize IT and related resources		ITSWGS614A	4

Risk Management
Identify and assess the risk factors related to IT	ITSWGS609A	4
Develop risk mitigation strategies and plans related to IT	ITSWGS610A	4
Review risk factors related to IT, and execute and monitor risk mitigation plans	ITSWGS611A	3

Specific Professional Responsibilities
Adopt and adapt international standards as appropriate	ITSWGS601A	5
Comply to organizational policies and procedures, relevant laws and regulatory requirements	ITSWGS602A	5
Seek and provide professional peer review	ITSWGS603A	4

Level 7

Business Acumen
Lead and motivate a team to attain extraordinary goals and accomplish incredible task		ITSWGS701A	12

Note:

The draft SCS has been moderated by the Hong Kong Council for Academic Accreditation (HKCAA) on its cross-industry level consistency.

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