The seven SFIA levels of responsibility are characterized by five generic attributes: Autonomy, Influence, Complexity, Business Skills, and Knowledge. These attributes help to define the behaviors, values, knowledge, and characteristics expected of an individual at each level. The levels are progressive, meaning each level builds upon the previous one, demonstrating increasing responsibility, accountability, and impact.

Here's how the generic attributes relate to the SFIA levels:

• Autonomy: This attribute describes the level of ownership, accountability, and discretion an individual has in their work. At lower levels (e.g., Level 1 - Follow), individuals work under close direction with limited discretion. As they progress to higher levels (e.g., Level 7 - Set strategy, inspire, mobilize), they gain greater autonomy, initiate work, set objectives, and have authority over significant areas of work.

• Influence: This attribute reflects the level of positive impact an individual has on colleagues, clients, suppliers, partners, and the industry. At lower levels, influence is minimal, primarily within the immediate team. As individuals progress, their influence expands to include influencing decisions, leading collaborations, and building relationships with senior stakeholders across the organization and industry.

• Complexity: This attribute describes the scale, impact, and intricacy of the tasks and issues individuals handle. Lower levels involve routine activities in structured environments. As individuals progress, they tackle increasingly complex and non-routine work, apply creative thinking, and address complex issues with broader organizational impact.

• Knowledge: This attribute reflects the depth and breadth of knowledge individuals apply in their work. Lower levels require basic generic knowledge and the ability to apply newly acquired knowledge. As individuals progress, they develop a deeper understanding of their domain, industry bodies of knowledge, and business context, eventually contributing to and defining standards for others.

• Business Skills: This attribute encompasses the skills and behaviors required to operate effectively in the workplace. At lower levels, this includes basic communication skills, using systems and tools, and understanding organizational standards. As individuals progress, they demonstrate leadership, manage risks, communicate effectively with diverse audiences, promote learning cultures, and contribute to strategic decision-making.

The sources provide detailed descriptions of each SFIA level and the specific behaviors, knowledge, and skills expected within each generic attribute at that level. This detailed breakdown ensures a consistent understanding of the required competencies for each level across different professional skills. The sources also list various professional skills and the SFIA levels they are defined at. For example, the skill "Content Management" is defined across all seven levels, while "Consultancy" starts at Level 4. This suggests that the complexity and responsibility associated with different skills can vary significantly, and SFIA levels provide a standardized way to benchmark those differences.