HKITPC Competency Definition

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HKITPC Competency Definition for the Certification

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: [email protected] 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.

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HKITPC Competency Definition for the Certification

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.

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HKITPC Competency Definition for the Certification

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 Competency Domain (that is also called Competency Category or L1), followed by Competency Elements (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.

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JOB TITLE: HKITPC (PD) and HKITPC (APM)

Competency Domain Competency Element

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.

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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

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JOB TITLE: HKITPC (PD) and HKITPC (APM)

Compliance to local procurement law Contract development

Contract legal admin Conduct compliance check

Conduct Closing Compliance Review C Other business

management knowledge

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 D ICT foundation and

knowledge

Relationship of Knowledge management and project management Content and tools of Knowledge management

Fundamentals of Strategic management Process of Strategic management

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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

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JOB TITLE: HKITPC (SA)

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

6 Application Integration 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

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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 Perform QA Activities of Software Project

4 Quality Measurements and Improvements

Quality Metrics and Measurements 5 Quality Training and

Development

Plan and conduct training for QA activities 6 Key Business Management

Knowledge and Professional Ethics

Knowledge management

Strategic management Professional ethics 7 IT Governance and Control

Practices

Governance framework Review and audit 8 Software Engineering and

Support Processes

Software environments Engineering processes

Program and project management Other Software Support Processes 9 Information and

Communication Technologies

The information systems knowledge

Computer Network Systems and Information Security Knowledge

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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

Establish reporting and communication channels Maintain information security policies

4 Information Security Management

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

5 Information Security Programme Management

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

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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

Assist problem resolution after production implementation D ICT foundation and

knowledge

Relationship of Knowledge management and project management Content and tools of Knowledge management

Fundamentals of Strategic management Process of Strategic management