kSIST-TP FprCEN/TR 16234-2:2020

e-Competence Framework (e-CF) - A common European Framework for ICT Professionals in all sectors - Part 2: User Guide

This document supports understanding, adoption and use of EN 16234 (all parts) e-Competence Framework (e-CF) - A common European Framework for ICT Professionals in all sectors which provides a common reference of 41 ICT professional competences as required and applied in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) professional work environment, using a common language for competences, skills, knowledge and proficiency levels that can be understood across Europe.
This document supports Information and Communication Technology (ICT) stakeholders dealing with ICT professional competences from multiple perspectives, in particular:
-   ICT service, demand and supply organisations;
-   ICT professionals, managers and human resource (HR) departments;
-   educational institutions, learning program and certification providers of all types including Vocational and Educational Training (VET), Higher Education (HE) and Continuous Professional Development (CPD);
-   social partners (trade unions and employer associations);
-   professional associations, accreditation, validation and assessment bodies;
-   market analysts and policy makers;
-   other organisations and stakeholders in public and private sectors across Europe,
to adopt, apply and use the framework in their environment.

E-Kompetenz-Rahmen (e-CF) - Ein gemeinsamer europäischer Rahmen für IKT-Fach- und Führungskräfte in allen Branchen - Teil 2: Nutzerleitfaden

Référentiel des e-Compétences (e-CF) - Référentiel européen commun pour les profession-nels des technologies de l’information et de la communication dans tous les secteurs d’activité - Partie 2 : Guide de l’utilisateur

Krovni seznam e-usposobljenosti (e-CF) - Skupno evropsko okolje za strokovnjake na področju informacijske in komunikacijske tehnologije v vseh sektorjih - 2. del: Vodilo za uporabnike

Standards Content (sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
kSIST-TP FprCEN/TR 16234-2:2020
01-december-2020
Krovni seznam e-usposobljenosti (e-CF) - Skupno evropsko okolje za strokovnjake

na področju informacijske in komunikacijske tehnologije v vseh sektorjih - 2. del:

Vodilo za uporabnike
e-Competence Framework (e-CF) - A common European Framework for ICT
Professionals in all sectors - Part 2: User Guide
E-Kompetenz-Rahmen (e-CF) - Ein gemeinsamer europäischer Rahmen für IKT-Fach-
und Führungskräfte in allen Branchen - Teil 2: Nutzerleitfaden
Référentiel des e-Compétences (e-CF) - Référentiel européen commun pour les

profession-nels des technologies de l’information et de la communication dans tous les

secteurs d’activité - Partie 2 : Guide de l’utilisateur
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: FprCEN/TR 16234-2
ICS:
03.100.30 Vodenje ljudi Management of human
resources
35.020 Informacijska tehnika in Information technology (IT) in
tehnologija na splošno general
kSIST-TP FprCEN/TR 16234-2:2020 en,fr,de

2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

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kSIST-TP FprCEN/TR 16234-2:2020
FINAL DRAFT
TECHNICAL REPORT
FprCEN/TR 16234-2
RAPPORT TECHNIQUE
TECHNISCHER BERICHT
October 2020
ICS 35.020 Will supersede CEN/TR 16234-2:2016
English Version
e-Competence Framework (e-CF) - A common European
Framework for ICT Professionals in all sectors - Part 2:
User Guide

Référentiel des e-Compétences (e-CF) - Référentiel E-Kompetenz-Rahmen (e-CF) - Ein gemeinsamer

européen commun pour les professionnels des europäischer Rahmen für IKT-Fach- und

technologies de l'information et de la communication Führungskräfte in allen Branchen - Teil 2:

dans tous les secteurs d'activité - Partie 2 : Guide de Nutzerleitfaden
l'utilisateur

This draft Technical Report is submitted to CEN members for Vote. It has been drawn up by the Technical Committee CEN/TC

428.

CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,

Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway,

Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and

United Kingdom.

Recipients of this draft are invited to submit, with their comments, notification of any relevant patent rights of which they are

aware and to provide supporting documentation.

Warning : This document is not a Technical Report. It is distributed for review and comments. It is subject to change without

notice and shall not be referred to as a Technical Report.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION
EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG
CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels

© 2020 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. FprCEN/TR 16234-2:2020 E

worldwide for CEN national Members.
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Content Page

European foreword ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 4

Introduction ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... 5

1 Scope ......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 7

2 Normative references ........................................................................................................................................................................ 7

3 Terms and definitions ........................................................................................................................................................................ 8

4 Executive overview ............................................................................................................................................................................. 8

4.1 EN 16234-1 (e-CF) scope and target groups .................................................................................................................. 8

4.2 EN 16234-1 (e-CF) a fundamental pillar of ICT professionalism for Europe .................................................... 8

4.3 EN 16234-1 (e-CF) structure, content and application opportunities ................................................................. 9

4.3.1 EN 16234-1 (e-CF) overview: structure, content ................................................................................................ 9

4.3.2 EN 16234-1 (e-CF) alternative view – the conceptual perspective .......................................................... 13

4.3.3 EN 16234-1 (e-CF) alternative view – the application perspective ......................................................... 14

4.4 The e-CF as a standard: normative versus informative elements ...................................................................... 16

4.5 Entry start points for using the EN 16234-1 (e-CF) ................................................................................................. 17

4.5.1 Competences ................................................................................................................................................................... 17

4.5.2 Transversal aspects ...................................................................................................................................................... 18

4.5.3 CWA 16458 European ICT Professional Role Profiles ................................................................................... 19

4.5.4 Deliverables ..................................................................................................................................................................... 21

4.6 Purpose and target groups of this user guide ............................................................................................................. 21

5 e-CF for multiple application across multiple target groups .......................................................................................... 22

5.1 Applying the e-CF in the ICT organisation: HR and ICT departments ............................................................... 22

5.1.1 People are more important than things: The e-CF giving shape to the value and investment in

human capital ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 22

5.1.2 Basic factors for successful implementation ...................................................................................................... 22

5.1.3 Roles and job profile building .................................................................................................................................. 23

5.1.4 Support ICT strategy development with personnel and competence planning .................................. 24

5.1.5 Competence gap analysis and identifying training needs ............................................................................ 24

5.1.6 Personnel/talent development and learning ..................................................................................................... 25

5.1.7 Recruitment support .................................................................................................................................................... 25

5.1.8 Enhancement of communication internal and externally ............................................................................ 25

5.1.9 EN 16234-1 (e-CF), related to other ICT frameworks and standards ..................................................... 25

5.2 Applying the EN 16234-1 (e-CF) in an education and training context ........................................................... 26

5.2.1 Comparing the e-CF to the EQF ................................................................................................................................ 27

5.2.2 Relevance of EN 16234-1 (e-CF) to Vocational Education and Training (VET), Higher Education

(HE) and private training providers ......................................................................................................................................... 27

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5.2.3 Developing curricula based on the EN 16234-1 (e-CF) ................................................................................. 30

5.2.4 Recognition/validation .............................................................................................................................................. 30

5.3 EN 16234-1 (e-CF) application by individuals, ICT students and professionals .......................................... 31

5.3.1 CV and self-promotion ................................................................................................................................................. 31

5.3.2 Assessment and recognition of competences .................................................................................................... 31

5.4 EN 16234-1 (e-CF) applied in ICT labour market research................................................................................... 32

5.4.1 A common reference for market observation ................................................................................................... 32

5.5 EN 16234-1 (e-CF) in policy and digital skills strategy development............................................................... 32

5.5.1 Setting digital skills priorities .................................................................................................................................. 32

5.5.2 Procurement processes .............................................................................................................................................. 32

5.5.3 EN 16234-1 (e-CF) adoption as an indicator of digital maturity ............................................................... 33

5.5.4 Implementing EN 16234-1 (e-CF) in European instruments: Europass, Desi, Ovate ....................... 33

5.6 Making combined use of frameworks ............................................................................................................................ 35

5.6.1 Some basics for introduction .................................................................................................................................... 35

5.6.2 e-CF interfaces provided by EN 16234-1 Annex B: EQF, ESCO, DigComp, SFIA, P21, CWA 16458,

ISO standards...................................................................................................................................................................................... 35

5.6.3 EN 16234-1 (e-CF)connecting with multiple ICT market standards: DIGIFRAME ............................ 36

5.6.4 How to create further framework interfaces: the general approach ....................................................... 36

5.6.5 . How to create further framework interfaces: practical steps ................................................................... 37

Annex A (normative) e-Competence levels e-1 to e-5 from EN 16234-1 (e-CF)............................................................ 39

Table A.1 — e-Competence levels 1 to 5 from EN 16234-1 ................................................................. 39

Annex B (informative) Examples of deliverables related to e-CF competences ............................................................. 40

Annex C (informative) Creating further framework interfaces: Example EN 16234-1 (e-CF) and Euro-Inf ...... 48

Annex D (informative) Overview of CEN/TR 16234-4 - Case Studies illustrating e-CF usage in practice ........... 53

Bibliography ................................................................................................................................................................................................. 57

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European foreword

This document (FprCEN/TR 16234-2:2020) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 428 “ICT pro-

fessionalism and digital competences”, the secretariat of which is held by UNI.
This document is currently submitted to the Vote on TR.
This document will supersede CEN/TR 16234-2:2016.

In comparison with the previous edition, the following technical modifications have been made:

• Review of all previously existing clauses and content in the light of the EN 16234-1:2019 and benefitting

from multiple e-CF user experiences gathered and application feedback received.

This standard for ICT professional competence outlines the minimum requirements of competence (i.e. a

threshold) in the work context. It includes typical knowledge and skills examples that are not standardized but

provided to support orientation and understanding. When applying the standard, this approach must be recog-

nized to clearly distinguish between which elements are mandatory and which are merely examples (repre-

sented by, shall versus should/may/can, etc.).
This European standard is made up of four parts:

• EN 16234-1 e-Competence Framework (e-CF) - A common European Framework for ICT Professionals in

all sectors - Part 1: Framework. It provides the e-Competence Framework (e-CF) published as a European

Norm (EN).

• CEN/TR 16234-2 e-Competence Framework (e-CF) - A common European Framework for ICT Profession-

als in all sectors - Part 2: User Guide. It provides the e-CF User guide published as a CEN Technical Report

(TR).

• CEN/TR 16234-3 e-Competence Framework (e-CF) - A common European Framework for ICT Profession-

als in all sectors - Part 3: Methodology. It provides the e-CF Methodology published as a CEN Technical

Report (TR).

• CEN/TR 16234-4 e-Competence Framework (e-CF) - A common European Framework for ICT Profession-

als in all sectors - Part 4: Case Studies. It provides a series of Case Studies illustrating e-CF practical use

from multiple ICT sector perspectives published as a CEN Technical Report (TR).
Part 1 is fully standalone, and part 2, 3 and 4 rely on part 1.
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Introduction

EN 16234 e-Competence Framework (e-CF) - A common European Framework for ICT Professionals in all sec-

tors was established as a tool to support mutual understanding and provide transparency of language through

the articulation of competences required and deployed by Information and Communication Technology (ICT)

professionals.

In the complex environment of ICT professional skills development and management there is a need for clarity

and simplification. Existing organisational processes have often been established in an ad hoc way over many

years and lack connectivity to the wider community. The e-CF offers a way out of this dilemma, providing a

neutral solution to overcome inertia and to establish a structured approach to ICT professional competence

development.

This Technical Report offers direction on how to adopt the e-CF approach from multiple user perspectives.

Clause 4 provides the executive overview of e-CF scope, target groups, underlying principles, concepts and

structure, including entry points for using the e-CF (4.5). Clause 5 provides practical guidance for multiple ap-

plications of the standard among multiple target groups and from different stakeholder perspectives. Compel-

ling reasons for adopting the e-CF are given in 5.1.2 (basic factors for successful implementation). Annex D of

this document gives an overview of Case Studies published in a complementary document illustrating examples

of e-CF practical application.

To support users and guide developers of applications of EN 16234-1 (e-CF), the following narrative provides

an overview of the underpinning philosophy and principles adopted during the document’s construction and

maintenance. Understanding these guiding principles is equally important for applying the EN 16234-1 (e-CF)

across multiple environments concerned with ICT professionalism.
EN 16234-1 (e-CF) Guiding Principles:

This standard is an enabler; it is designed to be a tool to empower users, not to restrict them. It provides

structure and content for application by many users from organisations in the private and public sector, ICT

user or ICT supply organisations, educational institutions including higher education and private certification

providers, social partners and individuals. Across this broad application context, this standard is designed to

support common understanding, not to mandate the use of each and every word used within it.

This standard expresses ICT competence using the following definition: ‘Competence is a demonstrated abil-

ity to apply knowledge, skills and attitudes for achieving observable results’. This holistic concept directly re-

lates to workplace activities and incorporates complex human attitudes and resultant behaviours. Behaviour

and attitude are important influences that facilitate successful knowledge and skills application. Within each

competence, embedded attitudes are reflected in behaviour and enable the successful integration of knowledge

and skills.

Competence is a durable concept and although technology, jobs, marketing terminology and promotional

concepts within the ICT environment change rapidly, this standard remains durable requiring maintenance

approximately every three years to maintain relevance.

A competence can be a component of a job role, but it cannot be used as a substitute for similarly named

job titles, for example; the competence, E.2. ‘Project and Portfolio Management’ does not represent the com-

plete content of a ‘Project Manager’s’ job role. Competences can be aggregated, as required, to represent the

essential content of a job role or profile. On the other hand, one single competence may be assigned to a number

of different job profiles.

Competence is not to be confused with process or technology concepts such as, ‘Cloud Computing’ or ‘Big

Data’. These descriptions represent evolving technologies and in the context of this standard, they may be inte-

grated as knowledge and skills examples in Dimension 4.

This standard does not attempt to cover every possible competence deployed by an ICT professional

nor are the included competences necessarily unique to ICT. This standard articulates competences asso-

ciated with ICT professional roles including some that may be found in other professions but are very important

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in an ICT context; examples include, C.4. ‘Problem Management’ or E.3. ‘Risk Management’. However, to main-

tain an ICT focus, this standard avoids generic competences such as ‘Communications’ or ‘General Manage-

ment’. Although very applicable these generic competences are comprehensively articulated in other struc-

tures. Selecting competences for inclusion within this standard is therefore a pragmatic rather than an exhaus-

tive process. The selection was based on engagement with a broad cross-section of stakeholders who prioritize

competence inclusion based upon industry knowledge and experience.

This standard is structured across four dimensions. e-Competences in Dimensions 1 and 2 are presented

from the organisational perspective as opposed to an individual’s perspective. Dimension 3 defines e-Compe-

tence levels and relates to the European Qualifications Framework (EQF), it provides a bridge between organ-

isational and individual competences. Dimension 4 provides examples of knowledge and skills in the e-Compe-

tences of Dimension 2; they are not intended to be exhaustive but included for inspiration and orientation.

This latest version of the standard incorporates a new element, transversal aspects; these recognize the

relevance of a number of important cross-cutting aspects and provide additional generic ICT related descriptors

for successful application of e-CF competences in the workplace. Accessibility, Ethics and Security are examples

of transversal aspects that may be applied flexibly to match the application context.

This standard has a sector specific relationship to the EQF; competence levels within this standard provide

a consistent and rational relationship to levels defined within the EQF. The relativity between EQF learning

levels and the e-competence work proficiency levels of this standard has been systematically established to

enable consistent interpretation of the EQF in the ICT workplace environment. It should be noted that an exact

equivalency is not possible due to the different purposes and contexts of the EQF and the e-CF, but relevant

relationship information is provided.

Continuity of this standard is imperative; following maintenance updates, it is essential that users are pro-

vided with a simple upgrade path. Users of this standard invest considerable time and resources to align pro-

cesses or procedures to it. Organisations deploying these downstream activities are reliant upon this standard

and need to be confident of the continued sustainability of their processes. Updates to this standard must re-

spect this requirement and ensure continuity by enabling continued use of the existing standard until conven-

ient to upgrade to the latest version.

This standard is neutral; it does not follow the specific interests of a few major influencers, it is developed

and maintained through an EU-wide balanced multi-stakeholder agreement process, under the umbrella of the

European Committee for Standardization. This standard is a key component of the European Digital Agenda for

ICT professionalism; it is designed for use by any organization or individual engaged in ICT Human Resource

planning and competence development.
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1 Scope

This document supports understanding, adoption and use of EN 16234 (all parts) e-Competence Framework

(e-CF) - A common European Framework for ICT Professionals in all sectors which provides a common refer-

ence of 41 ICT professional competences as required and applied in the Information and Communication Tech-

nology (ICT) professional work environment, using a common language for competences, skills, knowledge and

proficiency levels that can be understood across Europe.

This document supports Information and Communication Technology (ICT) stakeholders dealing with ICT pro-

fessional competences from multiple perspectives, in particular:
— ICT service, demand and supply organisations;
— ICT professionals, managers and human resource (HR) departments;

— educational institutions, learning program and certification providers of all types including Vocational and

Educational Training (VET), Higher Education (HE) and Continuous Professional Development (CPD);

— social partners (trade unions and employer associations);
— professional associations, accreditation, validation and assessment bodies;
— market analysts and policy makers;

— other organisations and stakeholders in public and private sectors across Europe,

to adopt, apply and use the framework in their environment.
2 Normative references

The following documents are referenced in such a way that some or all of their content constitutes require-

ments of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest

edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.

EN 16234-1:2019, e-Competence Framework (e-CF) — A common European Framework for ICT Professionals in

all sectors - Part 1: Framework

CEN/TR 16234-3:2021, e-Competence Framework (e-CF) — A common European Framework for ICT Profession-

als in all sectors - Part 3: Methodology

CEN/TR 16234-4:2021, e-Competence Framework (e-CF) — A common European Framework for ICT Profession-

als in all sectors - Part 4: Case Studies

CWA 16458-1:2018, European ICT Professional Role Profiles — Part 1: 30 ICT profiles

CWA 16458-2:2018, European ICT Professional Role Profiles — Part 2: User Guide

CWA 16458-3:2018, European ICT Professional Role Profiles — Part 3: Methodology documentation

CWA 16458-4:2018, European ICT Professional Role Profiles — Part 4: Case studies
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3 Terms and definitions

For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in EN 16234-1 apply.

ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:

• IEC Electropedia: available at http://www.electropedia.org/
• ISO Online browsing platform: available at http://www.iso.org/obp
4 Executive overview
4.1 EN 16234-1 (e-CF) scope and target groups

The EN 16234-1 (e-CF) provides a reference of 41 competences as required and applied in the Information and

Communication Technology (ICT) professional work environment, using a common language for competences,

skills, knowledge and proficiency levels that can be understood across Europe.
The EN 16234-1 (e-CF) was created for application by:
— ICT service, demand and supply organisations;
— ICT professionals, managers and human resource (HR) departments;

— educational institutions, learning program and certification providers of all types including Vocational and

Educational Training (VET), Higher Education (HE) and Continuous Professional Development (CPD);

— social partners (trade unions and employer associations);
— professional associations, accreditation, validation and assessment bodies;
— market analysts and policy makers;

— other organisations and stakeholders in public and private sectors across Europe,

to adopt, apply and use the framework in their environment.
4.2 EN 16234-1 (e-CF) a fundamental pillar of ICT professionalism for Europe

The EN 16234-1 (e-CF) provides a common European language for ICT workplace-related competences, skills

and proficiency levels as required and applied by organisations and professionals. In this way, all sector stake-

holders, including public and private sector and individuals, have access to a shared reference.

In particular, the e-CF supports the articulation, definition and description of:

• jobs, role profiles, recruitment offers and needs and other types of competence specifications;

• training courses, qualifications, certifications and higher education curricula;

• career paths and professional development needs;
• formal and non-formal learning paths;
• competence gaps analysis at the individual, team or organisational level;
• education and training needs at the individual, team or organisational level;
• criteria for competence assessment and market-trend analysis, etc.;
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• a shared reference to gather and present ICT professional competence need information, e.g. at national or

large corporation level.

The EN 16234-1 (e-CF) and its supporting technical reports are an integrated component of the four ICT pro-

fessionalism pillars for Europe. Figure 1 positions this standard with regard to the foundations required for the

establishment of an ICT European Profession. It illustrates the connectivity between the four key elements; e-

competences from the e-CF, education and training, professional ethics and the Body of Knowledge.

Figure 1 — EN 16234 (e-CF) and TRs an essential pillar of ICT professionalism for Europe

CEN/TC 428 “ICT Professionalism and digital competences” is responsible for all aspects of standardization

related to maturing the ICT Profession in all sectors, public and private. It harmonises activity related to the

four major building blocks of ICT Professionalism: (1) competences represented by the e-CF (2) education and

training, (3) Code of Ethics and (4) Body of Knowledge (BoK).

In the context of CEN/TC 428 continuous work is taking place to support the ICT Profession in Europe with

solid references and standards around all four basic pillars of ICT Professionalism. The EN 16234 (e-CF) series

is consistently connected in concept and definitions with all the other deliverables published in CEN/TC 428

context (e.g. WI00428010 “European Foundational Body of Knowledge for the ICT Profession”, the “ICT Profes-

sional Ethics Framework”), and the CWA 16458 European ICT Professional Role Profiles.

4.3 EN 16234-1 (e-CF) structure, content and application opportunities
4.3.1 EN 16234-1 (e-CF) overview: structure, content

The EN 16234-1 (e-CF) is structured across four dimensions. The dimensions reflect areas of business and hu-

man resource planning and incorporate job and work proficiency guidelines specified in the Table 1.

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EN 162
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