As every standard professional knows, the integrity and excellence of standards development lies in the competence and expertise of the individuals engaged in the process.

In a move designed to foster a highly skilled and proficient workforce, ISO in collaboration with its members, has created the Competency Framework for Standards Development Professionals. This framework provides valuable insights and tools for those involved in the standards development process to remain adaptable and responsive in an ever-changing world.

This first-of-its-kind initiative aims to support standards professionals worldwide. It offers a structured process designed to develop skills, outlines how to be effective in a given role, and underscores important processes that  help build a skilled, engaged and adaptable workforce that drives success and growth.

The competency framework

A valid, industry-accepted process was adopted to develop the competency framework, including the use of job task analysis (JTA). The customizable framework is the result of hours of deliberation, discussion and analysis by many practitioners, including subject matter experts, managers, employees and other stakeholders.

What is a competency framework?

A competency framework is a structured and comprehensive outline of the knowledge, skills, abilities, behaviours and attributes required for successful performance in a particular role or profession. It serves as a tool for defining, assessing and developing the competencies needed to achieve individual and organizational objectives.

Detailed in full in the final report, the robust process involved:

1. Research to identify documents useful for the project. Works evaluated included research into existing competency frameworks and standards development, as well as a review of relevant ISO documents.
2. Following a review of all resource documents, a specific timeline of activities was developed along with a project plan.
3. Experts were identified and invited from developing economies to participate. Reflecting the variability in national standards bodies within developing economies, a matrix of possibilities was developed.
4. A list of characteristics was identified to ensure demographic representation of the participants for the JTA and ISO posted a solicitation of interest.
5. A three-day meeting was held to identify the tasks and associated knowledge, skills and attributes (KSAs) needed for standards development to create a draft DACUM JTA chart.
6.  Results were refined from the first meeting. Outputs included an online survey, which was published and the data collected and analysed.
7. Two virtual meetings were then held to review the results of the validation survey. The original DACUM JTA committee members were invited to participate in one of the two meetings held. Participants considered tasks, reviewed comments, and tabulated knowledge ratings and the results of the skill ratings.  
8. After the final survey meetings, the KSAs were further refined and organized, and the competency framework was developed. This also included the development of an examination blueprint, which may be used to develop a certification programme for standards development experts