TS 13171

TS 13171 is a professional standard for the system designer occupation. It focuses on defining and classifying the role, identifying class characteristics, and specifying the tools, equipment and hardware associated with the job. It also addresses how the knowledge and skills required for this occupation are measured and assessed, so the standard is not only about job title definition but also about the competence framework behind the role.

Role definition in the information systems context

At a general technical level, system design is the work of shaping how an information system will function: its components, data flow, interfaces, operating environment and technical relationships. A system designer typically sits between user needs and implementation choices, translating requirements into a structured solution. In this broader context, the role is closely connected to analysis, software architecture, hardware awareness and documentation, although this standard is identified only as covering the occupation itself and its classification.

Tools, hardware and competence assessment

The scope explicitly ties together job resources and competency evaluation. In occupational standards, this usually means describing the technical means needed to perform the work and the minimum knowledge and skill level expected for the profession. For system design work, the relevant environment commonly includes computing tools, design and documentation practices, and the ability to reason about requirements, constraints and system structure in a consistent way.

• It covers the definition and classification of the system designer occupation.
• Class characteristics and minimum professional specifications are included in the scope.
• Tools, equipment and hardware for performing the job are addressed.
• Knowledge and skill measurement and evaluation are part of the standard's subject matter.
• It describes the occupation within the wider field of information systems work.