Role profile library
Predefined role profile
Programmers and software development professionals
The behaviours this profile measures, drawn from the great{with}talent job library and occupational research. Download the full competency-based interview guide to assess them.
The full interview guideCompetency-based questions, follow-up probes and a 1–5 rating form for each behaviour — ready to print or run on screen.
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Behaviours assessed — 5 priority competencies
1
Technical Capability
Has the necessary knowledge, skills and proficiency to conduct their role. Demonstrates mastery in their area of technical capability. Stays up to date with advances in their field and commits to their continuous development.
Why this matters for Programmers and software development professionals: SFIA Programming/software development (PROG), Software design (SWDN) and Systems design (DESN) all require deep technical mastery. DDaT Software Developer skills cover programming and build, prototyping, system design, systems integration, and testing. BCS chartered status is assessed against SFIA. The technical floor is high and continuously evolving.
2
Analytical Skills
Breaks a problem down into its core elements. Draws on different data sources to inform their thinking, identifying the most pertinent issues within this. Incorporates the emotive elements of a situation into their thinking, before making sound inferences based on the available information.
Why this matters for Programmers and software development professionals: SFIA Problem management (PBMG) and the verify dimension of PROG centre debugging, root-cause analysis, and reasoning from logs and data. Breaking complex problems into elements is the daily craft.
3
Collaborative Working
Looks to understand others’ perspectives and objectives. Respects different styles/approaches, whilst adapting their own style to enable them to work effectively with others.
Why this matters for Programmers and software development professionals: SFIA Level 4 generic responsibility characteristics include business skills (communicates fluently, contributes to wider business understanding) and the modern software profession is paired/squad-based, agile, multi-disciplinary. DDaT user focus reinforces this.
4
Innovation
Willing to challenge existing mind-sets and ways of operating, exploring alternative ways to address a problem. Generates a range of options and ideas, whilst building on the ideas of others. Prepared to take a degree of risk in implementing new ideas.
Why this matters for Programmers and software development professionals: SFIA Level 4 expects 'creates new value for customers'; DDaT modern standards approach explicitly emphasises continuous improvement, adoption of new techniques, and challenging existing ways of working. The role is creative, not just executive.
5
Dependability
Conscientious and thorough in their approach to work, delivering what they promise to the necessary standard. Behaves in line with the organisation’s values and ethical principles.
Why this matters for Programmers and software development professionals: SFIA Level 4 generic — accountable for own work; DDaT — quality and standards. Code reliability, build integrity, peer-review discipline. Personal accountability for what ships matters and is framework-supported.