Development of Integrated Award Standards for Business at NFQ Levels 5-9 - Quality and Qualifications Ireland
ThreeSixtyInsights was appointed to lead the consultative development of integrated national award standards for business programmes for QQI (2023). Awards standards enable providers to demonstrate that the programmes they develop for approval and validation reflect the NFQ Level Indicators and align with expectations specific to the discipline area. An expert reference group composed of academic and industry experts in business was established for the project. The consultation process facilitated by ThreeSixtyInsights utilized an adapted Delphi method to enable alignment-based decision-making as well as online focus group discussions. The new standards developed included an increased emphasis on sustainability, EDI and digital/cybersecurity knowledge, skill and competence and were approved by QQI’s Policies and Standards Committee in 2024.