Authors :
Dr. W. A. Lakdimuthu Pasinda Weerasuriya; Dr. Senarath Mudiyanselage Nirodha Rupasinghe; Dr. J. H. U. S. Bhatiya Tissera; K. A. Achintha Chamara Lakshan; Dr. M. A. Tharaka Pathum Sankalpa
Volume/Issue :
Volume 10 - 2025, Issue 11 - November
Google Scholar :
https://tinyurl.com/5hcb96xv
Scribd :
https://tinyurl.com/yhx9awzb
DOI :
https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/25nov808
Note : A published paper may take 4-5 working days from the publication date to appear in PlumX Metrics, Semantic Scholar, and ResearchGate.
Note : Google Scholar may take 30 to 40 days to display the article.
Abstract :
The role of the Full-Stack Software Developer (FSD) is often ambiguously defined, primarily focusing on broad
implementation skills across front-end and back-end development. This report addresses this definitional crisis by rigorously
analyzing the Sri Lankan National Competency Standard for Full Stack Software Development (K72T004). The K72T004
standard mandates a two-tiered progression: NVQ Level 5 (Implementation Baseline) and NVQ Level 6 (Governance). Our
analysis reveals that Level 6 competencies, encompassing comprehensive system integration management, holistic security
ownership, and robust process governance, elevate the FSD beyond a mere generalist coder. We assert that the FSD, as
defined by K72T004, functions as a System Cohesion Architect, responsible for designing and governing the integrity of data
flow, security models, and quality pipelines across the entire application stack. This redefinition, grounded in a nationally recognized vocational standard, provides a clear framework for professionalization, mitigating architectural friction and
aligning global industry expectations with the strategic value of an FSD possessing both deep implementation empathy and
crucial architectural oversight.
References :
- Tertiary & Vocational Education Commission (TVEC), National competency standard for full stack software development (competency standard code: K72T004). Sri Lanka, 2024.
- Tertiary and Vocational Education Commission (TVEC), Full stack software development supervisor NVQ level 5. Career One – Connecting competencies with opportunities. 2025, (https://www.careerone.gov.lk/career-guidance/career-information/contents/details/NTE=)
- Talent500, Top 10 full stack developer frameworks in 2025. https://talent500.com/blog/top-full-stack-developer-frameworks/
- IBM / Coursera, IBM full stack cloud developer professional certificate. 2025, https://www.coursera.org/professional-certificates/ibm-full-stack-cloud-developer
- Tertiary and Vocational Education Commission (TVEC), Sri Lanka's TVET system: pathways to competency and career progression. 2025, https://tvec.procons.lk/trainee/
- Asian Development Bank (ADB), Framework for training reform in Sri Lanka. 2025, https://www.adb.org/sites/default/files/publication/28291/framework-training-reform-sri.pdf
- Prezi, Understanding the national vocational qualifications (NVQ) framework: pathways to competency and career progression. 2025, https://prezi.com/p/kr3vpyd_aqvb/understanding-the-national-vocational-qualifications-nvq-framework-pathways-to-competency-and-career-progression/
- Amazon Web Services (AWS), What is full-stack development? 2025, https://aws.amazon.com/what-is/full-stack-development/
- Spotterful, Integration architect responsibilities and required skills. 2025, https://spotterful.com/blog/job-description-template/integration-architect-responsibilities-and-required-skills
- Wow Remote Teams, Full-stack developer job description: roles, responsibilities, and skills. 2025, https://wowremoteteams.com/blog/full-stack-developer-job-description/
- Microsoft Support, Create a UML component diagram. 2025, https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/create-a-uml-component-diagram-aa924ecb-e4d2-4172-976e-a78fa157b074
- IBM Docs, Component diagrams in UML. 2025, https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/dma?topic=diagrams-component
- Black Duck, what is threat modeling? 2025, https://www.blackduck.com/glossary/what-is-threat-modeling.html
- Vfunction, Software architect vs. Software engineer. 2025, https://vfunction.com/blog/software-architect-vs-software-engineer/
- Index.dev, The ultimate checklist for releasing your full-stack web application. 2025, https://www.index.dev/blog/full-stack-web-application-release-checklist
- Abhinowww (Dev.to), Difference between DevOps and Full-Stack Engineer roles. 2025, https://dev.to/abhinowww/difference-between-devops-and-full-stack-engineer-roles-responsibilities-and-key-skills-1dcl
- Geeksfor Geeks, Requirements to become a full stack developer. 2025, [https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/hr/requirements-to-become-a-full-stack-developer/] (https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/hr/requirements-to-become-a-full-stack-developer/)
- National Security Agency (NSA), Enforce secure automated deployment practices through Infrastructure as Code. 2025, (https://media.defense.gov/2024/Mar/07/2003407857/-1/-1/0/CSI-CloudTop10-Infrastructure-as-Code.PDF)
- OWASP Cheatsheet Series, Infrastructure as Code security cheatsheet. 2025, (https://cheatsheetseries.owasp.org/cheatsheets/Infrastructure_as_Code_Security_Cheat_Sheet.html)
The role of the Full-Stack Software Developer (FSD) is often ambiguously defined, primarily focusing on broad
implementation skills across front-end and back-end development. This report addresses this definitional crisis by rigorously
analyzing the Sri Lankan National Competency Standard for Full Stack Software Development (K72T004). The K72T004
standard mandates a two-tiered progression: NVQ Level 5 (Implementation Baseline) and NVQ Level 6 (Governance). Our
analysis reveals that Level 6 competencies, encompassing comprehensive system integration management, holistic security
ownership, and robust process governance, elevate the FSD beyond a mere generalist coder. We assert that the FSD, as
defined by K72T004, functions as a System Cohesion Architect, responsible for designing and governing the integrity of data
flow, security models, and quality pipelines across the entire application stack. This redefinition, grounded in a nationally recognized vocational standard, provides a clear framework for professionalization, mitigating architectural friction and
aligning global industry expectations with the strategic value of an FSD possessing both deep implementation empathy and
crucial architectural oversight.