The document outlines a digital capability framework that identifies 8 key areas of digital capability: ICT proficiency, information and data literacy, creation and innovation, communication and collaboration, learning and self-development, and digital identity and wellbeing. Each area is then mapped against how it applies to being an effective digital leader on a personal level and leading an effective digital organization. The framework provides examples of capabilities within each area for both personal and organizational application.

1. Digital Capability Framework 1
‣ICT proficiency = core skills
‣Information, media and data literacy
= critical use
‣Creation, scholarship and
innovation = creative production
‣Communication, collaboration and
participation
‣Learning and self-development
‣Identity and well-being

2. Digital Capability Framework 2
These capabilities have been mapped
against two elements of digital leadership:
• Being an effective digital
leader/manager
(personal/professional development)
• Leading/ managing an effective digital
organisation or part of an organisation
(organisational development)

3. Digital Capability Framework 3
ICT proficiency: core skills
Being an effective digital
leader/manager
(personal/professional
development)
Adopt and adapt digital devices, services and applications to meet your
professional needs.
Use digital applications/ services to manage time and tasks.
Stay up to date with organisational systems.
Know how to find work-arounds, switch devices/services/applications and
recover from technical failures.
Model confident use of digital technologies to others.
Leading/ managing an
effective digital
organisation or part of
an organisation
(organisational
development)
Develop and communicate a strategy for digital technologies.
Identify emerging technologies, opportunities and threats relevant to the
organisation.
Embed these into other strategies for which you are responsible.
(Work with specialists to) assess IT needs of the organisation.
(Work with specialists to) scope, procure, adapt/develop and implement robust
IT systems.
Establish IT policies and processes.
Lead, enable or advocate for digital change initiatives.
Negotiate and implement strategic plans.
(Specialist: Lead IT services and initiatives)

4. Digital Capability Framework 4
Information, media and data literacy: critical use
Being an effective
digital
leader/manager
(personal/professional
development)
Scope, search, find, review/ evaluate, manage and share information relevant to
your organisation and role.
Use digital systems and services to access organisational data.
Use organisational data effectively to support planning and decision making.
Use digital media persuasively to communicate within and beyond the
organisation e.g. via presentations, online reports, data visualisations, digital audio
and video.
Leading/ managing
an effective digital
organisation or part
of an organisation
(organisational
development)
Develop strategies for managing content across the organisation.
Establish processes for gathering, managing, analysing and using organisational
data.
Develop a protocol for the safe, ethical use of personal digital data by the
organisation (e.g. in learner analytics)
Establish protocols for information and data governance and compliance.
(Specialist: Lead library (services) ; lead data, content and information
services/initiatives)
Help develop a strategy for digital communication at organisational level.
(Specialist: Lead digital media services or departments)

5. Digital Capability Framework 5
Creation, scholarship and innovation: creative production
Being an effective
digital leader/manager
(personal/professional
development)
Lead or create opportunities for organisational research using digital tools and
data.
Use the outcomes of organisational research for decision making.
Lead organisational change initiatives.
Model a creative, innovative approach to digital challenges and opportunities.
Leading/ managing an
effective digital
organisation or part of
an organisation
(organisational
development)
Develop a strategy for innovation across the organisation.
Build an risk-tolerant, innovative culture.
Lead and enable change initiatives.
Build an evidence base for organisational decisions.(Specialist: Lead research
teams or centres with an awareness of the role of digital technologies in the
research process)

6. Digital Capability Framework 6
Communication, collaboration and participation
Being an effective
digital leader/manager
(personal/professional
development)
Lead, influence and participate in online communities of practice related to
your role.
Build personal networks via e.g. twitter, LinkedIn.
Leading/ managing an
effective digital
organisation or part of
an organisation
(organisational
development)
Use digital networks to:
• Build strategic partnerships
• Lead / manage consortia
• Lead / manage projects
• Lead / manage people
• Lead and manage organisations
(Specialist: Lead public engagement teams with an awareness of the role
digital technology plays in engagement; lead careers/ employability teams
(employer- facing)).

7. Digital Capability Framework 7
Learning and self-development
Being an effective
digital leader/manager
(personal/professional
development)
Plan for and undertake your own learning/professional development.
Share expertise via online communities of learning/practice.
Leading/ managing an
effective digital
organisation or part of
an organisation
(organisational
development)
Develop a strategy for e-learning and support its implementation in
departments and services.
Develop a strategy for staff digital capability.
Support, recognise and reward digital talent across the organisation.
(Specialist: Lead curriculum teams; lead learning, staff and educational
development services, with an awareness of the role digital technology plays
in the learning/ teaching process; lead careers/employability teams (student-
facing))

8. Digital Capability Framework 8
Digital identity and wellbeing
Being an effective digital
leader/manager
(personal/professional
development)
Develop a coherent, effective online identity as a leader/manager.
Contribute to creating a healthy place to work with digital technologies
Contribute to developing inclusive practices with digital technology e.g. via
accessible communications. Model good practice in minimising digital
distraction/ overload and enabling a good work-life balance.
Articulate personal values for technology use.
Leading/ managing an
effective digital
organisation or part of an
organisation
(organisational
development)
Develop a coherent organisational digital brand.
(Specialist: Lead marketing teams with an awareness of the role digital
technology plays in organisational branding).
Develop a strategy for staff/student engagement in digital initiatives
Ensure organisational health and safety policies cover digital issues.
Ensure organisational access, inclusion and equality policies cover digital
issues.
(Specialist: Lead workplace initiatives; lead student experience initiatives;
lead initiatives in access and inclusion, all with an awareness of the digital
risks and opportunities)