D3 Department · Career Framework v1.1
How we grow at D3
Clear levels, clear paths, clear support. Find your role, see how you progress, and what's expected at each level.
Org structure
Department Leader
Delivery Manager
Management Team
Project Team
Find your role
Project Manager
4 levels
Runs sub-team delivery end-to-end. Owns plan, risks, client communication.
PM1 → PM2 → PM3 → PM4 → ODC Lead
Business Analyst
3 levels
Daily face of D3 to client. Elicits, documents, farms the relationship.
BA1 → BA2 → BA3 (2 sub-tracks)
Quality Assurance
3 levels
Refuses to ship defects. Owns test strategy, sign-off, and quality signal.
QA1 → QA2 → QA3 (Analyst / SDET)
Software Engineer
5 levels
Ships features, writes quality code, designs systems. Mgmt + IC tracks.
L1 → L2 → L3 → L4 → L5 · IC track from L4+
How we operate
Sprint Operating Runbook
Agile model: 5 phases, 12 ticket states, 5 ceremonies, 6 quality gates, level × state map. For T&M and staff-aug projects.
Fixed-Price Project Runbook
Milestone-driven model: 6 phases, Change Request workflow, 5 quality gates, risk + reserve management. For fixed-scope contracts.
How career growth works at D3
Behavior, not tenure
You move up by demonstrating the next level's behaviors. Years served don't promote — observable work does.
No surprise re-leveling
First 6 months are a Grandfathering Window. Calibration is shared privately. Titles don't change without conversation.
Alternative tracks exist
Strong on tech but not on client? On automation but not on manual? Each role has parallel tracks at the same comp band.
Common questions
How do I find out my level?
Self-assess using your role's worksheet, then confirm with your supervisor in your next 1-on-1. During the Grandfathering Window, this is informational only — your title doesn't change.
What if I disagree with my calibration?
Bring concrete evidence — specific incidents, work examples — to a follow-up conversation. If you and your supervisor still disagree, request a review by the Head of D3 plus one peer at the level you're claiming.
Can I switch roles or tracks?
Yes. Each role has alternative tracks designed for different strengths. Movement requires supervisor + Head of D3 approval and goes through a 1-sprint shadow + 1-sprint contribute trial. See your role page for details.
How does comp connect to level?
Comp bands are aligned to level bands with overlap zones. During the Grandfathering Window, comp does not move regardless of calibration outcome. After the window closes, comp adjustment follows the next regular comp cycle.
Why did the framework change?
Our unit survey surfaced that many people don't know their level or how to progress. The framework makes the rules explicit — the same rules apply to everyone, and they're written down so supervisors and team members can have grounded conversations.