HKITPC Competency Definition

HKITPC Competency Definition for the Certification copyright 2011 HKITPC HKITPC Competency Definition Document Number: HKCS-CD-L1L2 Version: 1.0 Date: June 2011 Prepared by Hong Kong IT Professional Certification Hong Kong Computer Society LG1, No. 78 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon Tong,Hong Kong For query by Email: hkitpc@hkitpc.org or by phone: (852) 2319 0900 All information contained in this document shall be kept in confidence. None of this information shall be divulged to persons other than HKCS or HKITPC own staff members authorized by the nature of their duties to receive such information, or individuals or organizations authorized by HKCS or HKITPC in accordance with existing policy regarding release of information. Overview 1 / 11

HKITPC Competency Definition for the Certification copyright 2011 HKITPC 1. Introduction This competency definition is intended to cover all the key aspects of the Professional Knowledge and Performance Competencies for the respective professional title. There are unique characteristics about these professional competencies, as being developed by HKITPC. Our goal is to provide the interested parties and individuals with a clear profile, a consistent definition for their understanding of the professional s capabilities. Our development approach is based on well defined disciplines and best practices followed by contemporary ICT industry and its practitioners around the globe, with correlations to QF (Qualifications Framework - Education Bureau, see www.hkqf.gov.hk/guie/home.asp). This document cover titles of HKITPC: Project Director (PD) Systems Architect (SA) Quality Assurance Manager (QAM) Associate Project Manager (APM) Information Security Officer (InfoSec) Business Analyst (BA) 2. What is Competency? Competency based practices describe how individuals within a specific professional competency apply their knowledge, perform their skills, and apply their process knowledge within the context of the IT industry s defined work process. This competency definition will be structured to articulate the fundamental aspects of the targeted professional title s competencies, like organizing effectiveness, technical and specialty skills, knowledge management, workforce management and so on. 3. Competency Maturity Level and Performance Competencies For the HKITPC competency model, we make frequent references to the notion of competencies as the foundation for the title assessment. By definition competency is an underlying characteristic of an individual that is causally related to effective or superior performance, as determined by measurable, objective criteria, in a job or situation. A correlation exists between an individual s competency and the effectiveness in performance their job of the given professional title. This competency based model helps describe and illustrate how individuals, within a specific competency, apply their process knowledge, skills and experience, and how they implement their skills, within the context of the professional title. Competency-based processes and procedures are adopted, performed, enforced, measured and improved over time by the designated IT professionals. Overview 2 / 11

HKITPC Competency Definition for the Certification copyright 2011 HKITPC In summary, the competency description for the professional knowledge and performance aspects is a general categorization under which different best practices would be considered and applied for the understanding and capabilities assessment of the Hong Kong Professional Certification Programme. This competency model can also be used as a framework for organizations in benchmarking and measuring their staff of the given professional title, e.g. IT Project Manager, Systems Architect, Business Analyst, etc. This competency aspect definition identifies and quantifies the key people-oriented activities and processes that are critical for any given organization to understand how each individual applies their skills and experience to do their work, in a qualitative and measurable manner. From the IT Project Manager s perspective, changes in technology, business and the IT industry are driving many of the skills and job requirement of today s IT professionals, this competency model would be particularly useful for self-assessment as well as action plan development for continuous improvements and professional development. In making use of this competency definition, the individuals should review their level of proficiency for each of the given competency elements with the guideline suggested below: Not familiar with the competency element Recognize the concept but need to learn more, e.g. techniques, for the element Comfortable with the concept but need to practice in a measurable and progressive manner Can perform this competency element effectively Possess superb and expert knowledge about the competency element, with proven track-records in a measurable and quantifiable manner. 4. The Competency Model developed by HKITPC In describing this on-the-job-competency, we use a format of (that is also called Competency Category or L1), followed by s (L2), of which each is further broken down into processes and activities (L3). By definition, a SME professional is expected to perform these types of processes and activities as described within each competency domain and element as part of meeting their job responsibilities. L3 refers to the detailed process and activities which could be varied by the way how each organization would apply, such as, standards, structure, methodologies, and approach for the work produced; as this information is considered proprietary or unique to individual companies. As well L3 definition is considered proprietary to HKITPC as this would be basis where our assessment will be established. 5. Special considerations: Competency Model for PM professionals There are a number of technical/specialty knowledge categories for IT PM, or specifically PD (Project Director) and APM (Associate Project Managers). The performance criteria among the Expert Level, Specialist Level or Practitioner Level of the Project Management professionals vary by the level of experience, understanding and capabilities where the definition of the Competency Model for PM would remain the same for consistency reasons. Overview 3 / 11

JOB TITLE: HKITPC (PD) and HKITPC (APM) 1 Integration Management Identify and document project needs developing project-related product or service descriptions in accordance with the project requirements Perform an initial project feasibility study and analysis Prepare project Charter and kick-off package Identify project interfaces Organizational, processes, and technology Conduct project plan development Establish the Project Management Team, Program/Project organization and the alternative structures as needed Define Project governance and steering organization Design controls for the project Conduct Project Plan Execution Direct and manage project execution Conduct Integrated Change Control Direct a project with the focus on controlling project work Conduct Project Closure with Regard to Integration 2 Scope Management Conduct Scope Planning Conduct Scope Definition Execute project scope Manage each phase with respect to the deliverable scope and requirements Conduct Scope Verification Conduct Scope Change Control Conduct Project Closure with regard to scope 3 Time management Preliminary Planning Activities Assemble a preliminary project management plan highlighting the time aspect of the project elements Conduct Activity Definition Conduct Activity Sequencing Conduct activity Duration Estimating Conduct Schedule Development Articulate product-based planning as needed (in conjunction with activity based planning for the project) for the time and effort requirements. Implement Project Schedule Conduct Schedule Control Control progress in respect to the plan Conduct Project Closure with regard to Time 4 Cost management HL Budget Preparation Build Prelim cost model Conduct resource planning Conduct cost estimate Cost Budgeting Develop and Derive product costing Execute cost baseline Cost control Closure for project cost 5 Quality management Determine Quality Requirements Define quality for the project environment. HKITPC(PD,APM) 4 / 11

JOB TITLE: HKITPC (PD) and HKITPC (APM) Conduct Quality Planning Establish the quality path (roadmap) for the project and the project environment Define quality review techniques and the quality review procedure Conduct Quality Assurance Report quality and related issues together with documentation as needed Conduct Quality Control Conduct Project Closure with Regard to Quality, e.g. Quality Plan and the quality system 6 HR management Conduct Organizational Definition Establish the PMT (project management team), Program/Project organization Conduct Organizational Planning Conduct Staff Acquisition Conduct Team Development Manage Project Team Conduct Project Closure with Regard to HR Management 7 Communications management Preliminary Communications Planning Conduct Communications Planning Research and establish the project documentation requirements Conduct Information Distribution Implement Project Time Reporting Establish and conduct formal communication at checkpoints Conduct Project Performance Reporting Conduct Administrative Closeout 8 Risk management Conduct Preliminary Risk Planning Establish risk management approach and process for the project Conduct Risk management Plan Conduct Risk Identification Conduct Qualitative Risk Analysis Conduct Quantitative Risk Analysis Conduct Risk Response Planning Execute Risk Response Plan Conduct Risk Monitoring and Control Conduct Project Closure with Regard to Risk Management 9 Procurement management Prelim Procurement Planning Conduct procurement planning Conduct Solicitation Planning Conduct Solicitation Conduct source selection Conduct contract admin Manage contract perform Contract close out 10 Local Regulations and Practices Prelim Legal requirement planning Detailed legal requirement planning Commercial terms and conditions and local operations requirements HKITPC(PD,APM) 5 / 11

JOB TITLE: HKITPC (PD) and HKITPC (APM) C D Other business management knowledge ICT foundation and knowledge Compliance to local procurement law Contract development Contract legal admin Conduct compliance check Conduct Closing Compliance Review Concepts of the Information Systems The Construct of Information Systems Nature and the complexity of the Information Systems Projects The project life cycle of the Information Project Requirement Collections and Design Software Development and Testing Other considerations in Software Engineering Knowledge of Software Engineering Process Basic Business Process Modelling and Analysis Knowledge of Software Component Technologies Software System Structure Knowledge of Software Component Technologies Object Oriented Systems Analysis and Design and Typical Applications Integration Technologies Software Tools Internet and Intranet Network Technologies and Standards Network Exchange Technologies and equipment Integrated Wiring System Computer Room Engineering Wireless Network Technologies Information System Security and risk assessments Security Strategies and security technologies Other Considerations of Information Security Information and Digitalization The strategies of e-government, e-commerce, and their implementation The Digitalization in enterprise business The applications in enterprise business The Information Resources Management Relationship of Knowledge management and project management Content and tools of Knowledge management Fundamentals of Strategic management Process of Strategic management HKITPC(PD,APM) 6 / 11

JOB TITLE: HKITPC (SA) 1 Architecture Framework and Vision Define, prioritize and document architecture vision and principles for the organization Selecting architecture design options and related architecture artifacts Research, evaluate, adopt and make improvements to the relevant architecture development initiatives Adopt architecture framework and develop architecture design building blocks Advocate and explain the adopted architecture design methodology, its underlying principles and expected benefits Establish processes to monitor and confirm the adopted architecture principles, design guidelines and resulting designs to ensure their fitness for the purpose of the organization Establish the necessary processes to manage the implementation of the adopted architecture designs 2 Business Architecture Review, analyse and document the current baseline and develop the target business architecture Perform gap analysis of the current baseline against the target business architecture Evaluate, develop and apply appropriate tools to capture, analyse and model various viewpoints of a business architecture Define metrics and methodologies to measure business performance of applying new technologies Review, design and re-engineer business processes with new technologies to improve business performance Promote and explain the new business architecture to the stakeholders in the organization 3 Data Architecture Define architecture principles for the data assets in an organization Apply and develop appropriate tools to capture and model data assets into data architecture artefacts and to perform lifecycle management of the artefacts in the data architecture registry Evaluate, define, and apply appropriate practices and methodologies to establish the data architecture Build the data architecture from data assets Develop mappings from data assets to the target data architecture Enforce compliance of the enterprise data standards by project teams to implement systems 4 Technology Architecture Define, review, and document the technology architecture baseline, standard, policy and procedure Model the technology architecture using architecture building blocks by considering appropriate architecture viewpoints Build, evaluate and review a target technology architecture reference model Manage technology architecture life cycle Define metrics for quality assurance and confirm that the business goals and objectives are met with the technology architecture 5 Network Architecture Document the (abstracted layer) design of a network architecture Define, review and validate network architecture principles Perform gap analysis of the current baseline (current network architecture) against the business requirements HKITPC(SA) 7 / 11

JOB TITLE: HKITPC (SA) 6 Application Integration Architecture Understand, develop, and recommend network technology architecture model(s) that is/are applicable to satisfy the needs of various stakeholders Define, evaluate, and apply appropriate international, national, industry, de-facto, and corporate standards for the design and construction of network architecture Understand, evaluate, develop and apply appropriate tools for the modelling and analysis of various views of the network architecture Perform lifecycle management of the network architecture Perform trade-offs and recommend application integration architecture model Evaluate, develop and apply appropriate resources to support application integration architecture Establish standards, best practices, verification processes and guidelines Establish and define requirements for necessary application monitoring and audit functions, and implement these functions on the adopted application integration architecture Define and maintain the life cycle management policy for the Application Integration Architecture 7 Software Architecture Demonstrate clear understanding of the key characteristics of various Application Software Architecture Models Evaluate, perform trade-offs and recommend application software architecture models Develop and maintain software development methodologies, standards, practices and procedures Maintain a common library of application components 8 Embedded Software Architecture Demonstrate clear understanding of the key characteristics of embedded software systems Evaluate, choose and adopt appropriate embedded software architecture models, tools and standards Develop and formulate different options, perform necessary evaluations and trade-offs in choosing the most suitable alternative in the design and development of embedded software systems Abstract and partition the embedded software system into manageable layers as well as apply the appropriate modeling techniques Maintain a common library of reusable embedded software components Define, implement and maintain the lifecycle management policy for the adopted embedded software architecture HKITPC(SA) 8 / 11

JOB TITLE: HKITPC (QAM) 1 Organizational Quality Initiation Establish QA entity in organizational level Plan for organizational quality initiatives Certifications and international standards adoption 2 Quality Plan Development Establish organizational policies and procedures Establish quality requirements of Software Product Plan QA activities of software project 3 Quality Assurance Execution Implement Quality Plan, Policies and Procedures in an Organization 4 Quality Measurements and Improvements 5 Quality Training and Development 6 Key Business Management Knowledge and Professional Ethics 7 IT Governance and Control Practices 8 Software Engineering and Support Processes 9 Information and Communication Technologies Perform QA Activities of Software Project Quality Metrics and Measurements Plan and conduct training for QA activities Knowledge management Strategic management Professional ethics Governance framework Review and audit Software environments Engineering processes Program and project management Other Software Support Processes The information systems knowledge Computer Network Systems and Information Security Knowledge HKITPC(QAM) 9 / 11

JOB TITLE: HKITPC (InfoSec.) 1 Business Continuity Planning Establish a business continuity planning strategy Prepare full set of business continuity planning documentation Conduct drill test on business continuity planning Provide awareness training program to staff dealing with business continuity planning 2 Forensics Provide advice on computer forensics Manage computer forensics evidence Investigate an information security case Prepare and present forensics investigation report 3 Information Security Governance 4 Information Security Management 5 Information Security Programme Management Establish reporting and communication channels Maintain information security policies Develop information security practices and procedures Evaluate and assess effectiveness of corporate information security practices Ensure availability, integrity and confidentiality of information systems Develop information security awareness programme Develop methods to satisfy information security policy requirements Promote accountability in managing information security risks Minimize information security risks 6 Information System Audit Enact information system security audit plan Prepare and deliver information system security audit report Evaluate and follow up on the recommendations in the information system security audit report 7 Response Management Manage the execution of response and recovery plans Establish procedures for documenting security incident 8 Risk Management Ensure risk management related activities are integrated into life cycle processes Define strategies and prioritize options to mitigate risk HKITPC(InfoSec) 10 / 11

JOB TITLE: HKITPC (BA) 1 Organizational Requirements Analysis Understand strategic goals and directions of business Create and maintain the business architecture Identify new business opportunities to achieve business objectives Identify solutions to solve business problems Conduct feasibility studies on proposed solutions Develop business case on proposed solutions Conduct risk assessment for proposed solutions Develop decision package fro presentation to stakeholders and senior management 2 Requirements Management Determine requirements study approach Identify stakeholders and define team roles for the study Plan resources for requirements study activities Determine documentation and communication requirements Manage study and scope 3 Requirements Collection Conduct requirements collection meetings Produce lists of functions Create use-cases Produce lists of constraints 4 Requirements Analysis Organize requirements Prioritize requirements Specify and model requirements Determine assumption and constraints Verify requirements Validate requirements 5 Requirements Communication Plan Requirement Communication Resolve Requirement Conflicts Determine the format of presentation Create the requirement package Conduct a requirement presentation Review Requirements Obtain requirement signoff 6 Solution Evaluation Communicate the impact of the solution Evaluate the options available Develop test plan/strategy Support Quality Assurance activities and tracking of problems Assist the technology team with rollout strategies and adjustment to new procedures Manage change requests D ICT foundation and knowledge Assist problem resolution after production implementation Relationship of Knowledge management and project management Content and tools of Knowledge management Fundamentals of Strategic management Process of Strategic management HKITPC(BA) 11 / 11