Capacity Planner
Description
A capacity planner is responsible for ensuring that an organisation's ICT resources, that is, hardware, software and infrastructure resources will be able to cope with future demands.
A capacity planner is required to identify the resources that are currently being used, then consider the growth in demand for those resources and then use that information to make decisions about what may be needed in the future. A capacity planner will need to keep up to date on new technological advances so that the business is not investing in outdated resources.
The capacity planner must also consider the service level or operational level agreements that may be in place. These agreements give the information technology area very clear direction of the level of service the business requires from the information systems and infrastructure. Once all these factors have been taken into account, the capacity planner will then make recommendations to the business about future ICT budget and purchase requirements to support future ICT services.
A capacity planner/analyst exhibits a combination of capabilities from the Skills Framework for the Information Age (SFIA) and the Leadership competencies for Queensland.
SFIA profile
Within the SFIA profile, the capacity planner / analyst has level 5 capabilities, i.e. ensures and advises on the skills outlined below.
Refer to the framework for descriptions of the seven levels of responsibility and accountability.
 SFIA skill | SFIA skill code | SFIA skill level of responsibility | SFIA skills level descriptor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consultancy | CNSL | 5 | Takes responsibility for understanding client requirements, collecting data, delivering analysis and problem resolution. Identifies, evaluates and recommends options, implementing if required. Collaborates with, and facilitates stakeholder groups, as part of formal or informal consultancy agreements. Seeks to fully address client needs, enhancing the capabilities and effectiveness of client personnel, by ensuring that proposed solutions are properly understood and appropriately exploited. |
| Emerging technology | EMRG | 5 | Monitors the external environment to gather intelligence on emerging technologies. Assesses and documents the impacts, threats and opportunities to the organisation. Creates reports and technology roadmaps and shares knowledge and insights with others. |
| Capacity management | CPMG | 5 | Manages capacity modelling and forecasting activities. Pro-actively reviews information in conjunction with service level agreements to identify any capacity issues and specifies any required changes. Provides advice to support the design of service components including designing in flexible and scalable capacity. Works with business representatives to agree and implement short- and medium-term modifications to capacity. Drafts and maintains standards and procedures for service component capacity management. Ensures the correct implementation of standards and procedures. |
Leadership skills
Leadership competencies for Queensland describes what highly effective, everyday leadership looks like in the sector. In simple, action-oriented language, it provides a common understanding of the foundations for success across all roles. The profile describes three performance dimensions (vision, results and accountability) and 11 leadership competencies required against five leadership streams.
Leadership streams are not connected to a level or classification, but rather reflect the balance between leadership and technical skills required of an individual. Individuals can consider the value proposition of roles rather than the traditional lens of hierarchical structures or classification levels. The five leadership streams are:
- Individual contributor (Leads self and does not supervise others)
- Team leader (leads a team and typically reports to a program leader)
- Program leader (leads team leaders and/or multiple areas of work)
- Executive (leads program leaders or other executives)
- Chief executive (leads the organisation).
When developing a role description, identify the role type and then focus on the most important attributes and create a balance between SFIA skills and leadership skills.
Entry points
A degree level qualification in information technology or computer science is necessary to gain employment as a capacity planner.