1. Today's IT/IS Professional & the Role of the BCS in Career Development Queen Mary University of London 25 th November 2003 Professor David J Parsons BCS Regional Operations Manager North

2. Agenda Today’s Business / Technology Environments The Need for Professionalism The ‘Perceived’ Performance of Today’s IS/IT Professionals Information Systems Engineering as a Career The Importance of CPD Role of the BCS in Career Development Conclusions

3. We live in an increasingly complex environment President of the World Future Society said in his 1996 annual report : 'the global network of interconnected computers and telecommunications links is already the biggest machine ever built..... but it will likely become bigger and more powerful in the coming decades. This monster machine will fundamentally transform human life as we know it today.‘ This is the CAREER ENVIRONMENT facing today’s IS Professional © David J. Parsons 2003

4. Definitions ( NOD ) PROFESSIONAL - “of or belonging to a profession....... involving training....... showing appropriate skill........ maintaining proper standards....... competent.... expert....." CAREER – “ an occupation undertaken for a significant period of a person’s life and with opportunities for progression ”

5. The Business Environment faced by today’s IS Professional Change the only constant factor Pressures on costs and revenues Intensive competition - traditional markets under attack Markets - global, location independent, customer focused Customers - more demanding Increasing range of technology related opportunities IT becoming essential to compete © David J. Parsons 2003

6. The Technology Environment faced by today’s IS Professional Change / pace of change Huge amounts of storage Ever increasing processing power Increasing amounts of networking bandwidth Better - faster - smaller - cheaper Pervasive / ubiquitous computing Mobile / portable everything 'E' / ‘M’ everything Technology driven Information / 'cyber' age © David J. Parsons 2003

7. The ‘Martini’ Scenario Anytime - anyplace - anywhere Technology that will allow ANY user : ANY where ANY time ANY how Authorised access to :ANY products ANY services ANY information Available from ANY information or service provider Located :ANY where ANY distance from the user

8. The ‘Martini’ Scenario - the ‘right’ one Technology that will provide the RIGHT user : Authorised access to :the RIGHT products the RIGHT services the RIGHT information At the RIGHT location In the RIGHT format At the RIGHT time For the RIGHT price

9. The need for Professionalism Are IS / IT Professionals getting it RIGHT ? Remember the old adage : PERCEPTION IS REALITY Some surveys suggest that the performance of the IS /IT Industry leaves much to be desired. Scientific American Survey - 1994 Gartner / Standish Surveys - 1998 OASIG Survey – 1998 © David J. Parsons 2003

10. The Need for Professionalism Survey Results - 1 Scientific American 1994 25% of all large scale developments cancelled Gartner / Standish 1998 Almost 33% of the projects failed altogether OASIG 1998 About 40% of developments fail or are abandoned © David J. Parsons 2002

11. The Need for Professionalism Survey Results - 2 Gartner / Standish 1998 Almost 75% of IT projects exceeded their budgets & schedules OASIG 1988 About 80% of systems are delivered late and over budget © David J. Parsons 2002

12. IS Industry Performance – 3 What about something more up to date ? Standish 2002 * 31% of projects cancelled before completion 88% of projects exceed deadline, budget or both For every 100 starts, there are 94 restarts Average cost overrun – 189% Average schedule overrun – 222% * IT Project Management : On Track from Start to Finish Joseph Philips ( McGraw Hill ) 2002 © David J. Parsons 2003

13. IS Industry Performance – 3 What about nearer home ? Computing 26 th Sept. 2002 “More project skills for civil servants” 3 rd Oct. 2002 “Trials begin on Child Support IT system” Computer Weekly 3 rd Oct. 2002 “ National insurance number errors not taxpayers fault “ © David J. Parsons 2003

14. IT Professionalism – some questions ?? As Career IS / IT Professionals - is this level of performance acceptable ? Would a situation in other branches of engineering be accepted if, for example : 4 bridges in 10 failed ?? 4 out of 10 miles of new highway were unusable ?? Are there differences between Information Systems Engineering and other branches of Engineering ? What can be learnt that will help the Career IS /IT Professional ? © David J. Parsons 2003

15. The Need for Professionalism Computing - 7 th August 2003 “IT failures show lessons have not been learnt” POST ( Parliamentary Office of Science & Technology ) Report on GOVERNMENT IT PROJECTS – July 2003 © David J. Parsons 2003

16. Report on GOVERNMENT IT PROJECTS – July 2003 Technology Issues – specific to IT : Rapidly changing technology User requirements Complexity Oversight Project Issues : Relations with Suppliers Project management © David J. Parsons 2003

17. Professional – a definition ( NOD ) PROFESSIONAL - “of or belonging to a profession....... involving training....... showing appropriate skill........ maintaining proper standards....... competent.... expert....."

18. The Information Systems Engineering Career Key words Taken from the Definition of Information Systems Engineering agreed between the BCS and the Engineering Council : Creation, use and support of information systems for the solution of practical problems. Specification, design, construction, testing, bringing into service, maintenance and enhancement Quality assurance Design, development and use of standards and tools Fitness for purpose, range of functionality, economy and efficiency, reliability, cost-effectiveness, security and safety, and life cycle support. © David J. Parsons 2003

19. Where do we need to develop our professional skills, to be expert, competent etc. in our Careers ? Technical skills associated with our profession : Programming, systems, operations, support etc.... Other skills essential to most ( including our ) professions People Project Personal © David J. Parsons 2003

20. Professional Career Responsibilities – ‘people’ examples Dealing with : Users, individuals, management, colleagues, customers, clients etc. Remembering Systems impact people : considering our impact on work & working practices Ensuring fitness for purpose : meeting users’ / clients’ needs Looking after team matters : leading, coaching, advising © David J. Parsons 2003

21. Professional Career Responsibilities – ‘Project Management’ examples Meeting Requirements – care & diligence ( including legal issues ) Solutions – ensuring designs meet requirements Carrying out Risk Analysis – security, restart, recovery Task / time / skills / resource scheduling / management ( Meeting schedules within budgets ) Ensuring quality at all stages of systems life cycle © David J. Parsons 2003

22. Professional Career Responsibilities – ‘personal’ examples Taking responsibility for own actions & those of subordinates including our CPD - ( Continuing Professional Development ) Maintaining our knowledge & understanding Developing our competence & expertise If necessary, identifying actual / potential personal conflicts of interest © David J. Parsons 2003

23. So we will have : Career Issues, Pressures, Challenges, Opportunities associated with : Business Pressures / challenge of change Technical challenges & opportunities People issues Project ( including legal issues ) Personal professionalism - keeping ‘up to date’ & maintaining high standards of personal behaviour © David J. Parsons 2003

24. Professional & Career Issues Sources of help We have briefly discussed how systems impact & issues related to: people, projects, personal professionalism Is there a source of help ? Can the Professional Societies provide any useful help and guidelines ? © David J. Parsons 2003

25. Professional Societies – a source of help ? What can they do / what do they do ? Accredit individual professional competence and integrity Advise the UK Government on IS-related matters, examine & initiate debate on topical IS issues Represent profession on issues of importance Set standards for education and training Provide opportunities for networking through branch and specialist groups IMPORTANTLY they set standards for professional conduct etc. etc..... © David J. Parsons 2003

26. Professional Society - Codes of Conduct Define rules of Professional & Personal Conduct ( i.e. behaviour ) ( in the case of the BCS the professional standards required as a condition of membership ) Allow evaluation of what should be expected from members of their profession. Provide clear definitions of what is acceptable and what is unacceptable behaviour © David J. Parsons 2003

27. British Computer Society Code of Conduct & Practice The BCS Introduced Revised Codes of Conduct and Practice in January 2002. The revised Code of Conduct covers : The Public InterestRules 1 - 6 Duty to Relevant AuthorityRules 7 - 9 Duty to the ProfessionRules 10 - 13 Professional Competence & IntegrityRules 14 – 17 Copies can be ‘downloaded’ from the BCS WEB Site © David J. Parsons 2003

28. British Computer Society Code of Conduct & Practice Code of Practise covers : Maintaining ‘standards’ of competence & Members’ Duty of Professional Care Upgrading/ maintaining personal knowledge / skill Maintaining awareness of relevant : technological developments procedures standards Encouraging sub-ordinates to do the same © David J. Parsons 2003

29. To help to respond to the issues / pressures : Professional Societies can provide : Some useful guidelines e.g. through Codes of Conduct / Practice Support e.g.Career Advice Branches & Specialist Groups CPD Schemes etc.. © David J. Parsons 2003

30. CPD – Continuing Professional Development The basis of Career Planning Engineering Council Definition - October 1994 “ The systematic maintenance, improvement and broadening of knowledge and skill and the development of personal qualities necessary for the execution of professional and technical duties throughout the individual's working life ” © David J. Parsons 2003

31. CPD – Continuing Professional Development The basis of Career Planning Why important ? Help ensure continuing employability Career paths shorter & less predictable Greater mobility between organisations Increased job insecurity Cannot always rely on employers to identify & meet development needs To demonstrate continuing commitment to profession To regularly review needs & plan relevant learning & development activities © David J. Parsons 2003

32. CPD – Continuing Professional Development The basis of Career Planning Sources of Help ? Professional Society publications / schemes Professional Society codes / rules of conduct Organisational development / training schemes Personal job appraisals / development discussions Learning / specialist groups Mentors. coaches, role models © David J. Parsons 2003

33. CPD – Continuing Professional Development The basis of Career Planning How to Start – a suggested approach Develop a log book - Professional society, organisational or personal Use it - keep it up to date Useful to record : Personal informationWork experience – e.g. projects, Academic informationachievements, responsibilities Reviews / PlansTraining records Development plansExtra mural activities etc. etc. Continually updated CV & personal profile / record. © David J. Parsons 2003

34. CPD – Continuing Professional Development The basis of Career Planning Some Conclusions Change and complexity will not go away Career paths shorter & less predictable Greater mobility between organisations Increased job insecurity Cannot always rely on employer to identify & meet development needs Ongoing need to develop new skills & capabilities Need to take personal responsibility for continuous lifelong learning and development © David J. Parsons 2003

35. CPD – Continuing Professional Development The basis of Career Planning Summary of Suggestions Develop recording system for your own professional development Determine personal & professional objectives Develop a portfolio / log - personal profile, achievements, skills etc. Identify sources of feedback - coach, mentor, role model etc. Identify / review where you are now & plan where you want to be Document your objectives Develop your strategy for achievement © David J. Parsons 2003

36. Some Conclusions for IS/IT Professionals Putting the CAREER ISSUES in context Information systems are here to stay ! Technology is becoming all pervasive Technology & associated information systems are becoming / have become essential to most / many businesses Businesses will demand more of the technology & information systems investments e.g. quality, reliability, functionality Individuals planning to become involved with IS/IT will ALL need to plan their professional careers Perhaps Professional Societies like the BCS can help. © David J. Parsons 2003

37. What can / does the BCS do to help ? EXAMPLES - details will be found on the BCS WEB Site Career Planning Advice Industry Structure Model Career Development Framework / accreditation Professional Accreditation & Qualifications – including relevant examination based qualifications Network of Branch and Specialist Groups CPD – Schemes – including mentoring © David J. Parsons 2003

38. The increasingly complex information & technological infrastructure - a challenge President of the World Future Society : 'the global network of interconnected computers and telecommunications links is already the biggest machine ever built..... but it will likely become bigger and more powerful in the coming decades. This monster machine will fundamentally transform human life as we know it today.‘ This comment was made in 1996 – it is just as relevant today as individuals consider their career options. What have others said ? © David J. Parsons 2003

39. What have others said ? George Barnard Shaw : “ The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want and, if they can't find them, make them. ” Galileo : “ You cannot teach a man anything. You can only help him discover it himself. ” Abraham Lincoln : “ Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other one thing. ” Dominic Cadbury : “ There is no such thing as a career path, there is only crazy paving and you have to lay it yourself. ” Some thoughts for you to ponder ? © David J. Parsons 2003

40. The FUTURE ? What other issues do IS Professionals need to be considering as they progress their careers? These are some of my thoughts / questions : Are we becoming excessively reliant on IT ? Any there morally/ethically objectionable uses of IT ? What will be the social impact of incessant growth of IT ? Will DATA be the next major pollutant ? Are we developing a digital divide – separating the information haves from the information have nots. I leave them with you - no doubt you can and will add your own thoughts to this list ! © David J. Parsons 2003

41. Thank You