When it comes to developing the skills of your IT team, you need to implement a timely and effective plan. Here we share our top 5 steps to achieving this. Find out more about the SFIAplus framework at http://www.bcs.org/sfiaplus

1. Steps to developing
your team’s skills
More than half the responding digital leaders indicated that they
needed to enhance IT skills within their existing workforce.
BCS Digital Leaders survey, Oct 2013

2. Understand your current skills
landscape
Before planning development, take stock of your
current skills. Determine the strengths/weaknesses
of your team, and the capabilities you need to
execute business strategy.
Skills gap analysis involves the whole team. Bring
them on board early to establish an environment of
openness and transparency.

3. Align your skills development with
the needs of the business
Implement a competency framework for consistent
planning of current and future skill requirements
across every function where IT skills are required.
The SFIAplus framework provides an industry best
practice foundation from which to define roles, align
skills to business needs, and plan development.

4. Create a culture of learning and
innovation
‘The culture of the organisation must encourage,
recognise and support the development of its IT
people,’ says Paul Jagger, Business Area Manager
for IBM Learning Development.
Nurture a community of professional practice; to
help IT practitioners develop a sense of identity and
for mentoring and knowledge-sharing.

5. Don’t forget soft skills and business
training
Even the most technically-advanced individual will
be a detriment to your team if they are socially
inept.
As the growth of agile development puts your
people out there in the business, communication
skills are just the starting point.

6. Empower your team to take charge of
their own development
IT professionals must take personal responsibility
for their progression, and not see it as just an HR
process.
A transparent career framework will engage and
motivate your people. They will be more inclined to
take control of their future if they can clearly see the
opportunities available to them and the steps they
need to take.

7. An effective skills
development plan will help
you create a team that is
capable of supporting
business growth.

8. Find out more:
+44 (0)1793 417 755
business.solutions@hq.bcs.org.uk
www.bcs.org/businesssolutions
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