COMP 6099 Research Skills Professional Issues in Practice

COMP 6099 Research Skills & Professional Issues in Practice University of Manchester 12 th March 2008 Prof. David J Parsons

Professional Issues in Practice Today we will seek to : Review the material covered in my earlier lecture on Professional Issues context Relate the Professional Issues addressed in that lecture to the practical world of IT / Computing Examine some future challenges facing the IS / IT computing professional © David J Parsons 2008

Professional Issues in Context – What did we covered ? Business / Technical Challenges facing the Professional Our perceived professional performance Some specific issues – people, project, personal. Professions, the role of the Professional Society © David J Parsons 2008

Professional Issues in Context We looked at : Some ideas Some concepts Some theories BUT much of what we discussed is : PRACTICAL and Relevant to the SOCIETY BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT TECHNOLOGY ENVIRONMENT In which we as existing / potential IS / IT / Computing Professional Practitioners find ourselves in what is now sometimes referred to as Information Systems Engineering. © David J Parsons 2008

Information Systems Engineering – what is it ? Some key words extracted from a Definition agreed between the British Computer Society & the Engineering Council in 1989 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. The FULL Definition from a PRACTICAL point of view…………. © David J Parsons 2008

Information Systems Engineering ( definition agreed between the British Computer Society & the Engineering Council in 1989 ) Information Systems Engineering is the application of engineering principles, founded on appropriate scientific and technological disciplines, to the creation, use and support of information systems for the solution of practical problems. As with other branches of engineering, this primarily involves the activities of specification, design, construction, testing, bringing into service, maintenance and enhancement, together with quality assurance applied to all of these. The scope includes hardware components ( such as processors, networks and interface devices ) and software components ( including operating systems software, information structure software, communications protocol and application software ). It also includes the design, development and use of standards and tools essential for the engineering of information systems. The users of information systems require them to exhibit observable attributes of any properly engineered system or artefact including fitness for purpose, range of functionality, economy and efficiency, reliability, costeffectiveness, security and safety, and life cycle support. © David J. Parsons 2008

ISE definition 1 – its PRACTICAL nature Application of engineering principles & founded on appropriate scientific and technological disciplines To the creation use and support of information systems For the solution of practical problems PRACTICAL ( New Oxford Dictionary ) ‘. . of or concerned with the actual doing or use of something, rather than with theory and ideas. . . ’ PRACTICE ( New Oxford Dictionary ) ‘. . the actual application or use of an idea, belief or method as opposed to theories about such application or use. . . ’ © David J. Parsons 2008

ISE definition 2 – the systems methods we need to develop solutions Involves the activities of : PRACTICAL systems life cycle aspects : specification identifying, understanding users needs design solutions / alternatives to meet those needs construction building agreed solution to meet users needs testing ensuring solution ‘works’ as required bringing into service introducing into existing user environment maintenance and enhancement ensuring solution can be enhanced to meet additional requirements & if necessary, corrected quality assurance applied to all of the above © David J. Parsons 2008

ISE definition – 3 – the hardware / software systems we use Scope includes PRACTICAL Examples : hardware components processors, networks and interface devices software components operating systems software, information structure software, communications protocols and application software standards and tools their design, development and use I. E. The PRACTICAL tools, methods, etc that we are going to use to develop PRACTICAL solutions that will operate on the required hardware and software systems to meet the user’s needs © David J. Parsons 2008

ISE definition 4 – to meet our users’ needs Business users of information systems requirements - The observable attributes of any properly engineered system or artefact This includes PRACTICAL aspects fitness for purpose, Meeting users needs range of functionality, Providing appropriate solution economy and efficiency, Optimising performance requirements reliability, Consistent, trustworthy in operation cost-effectiveness, Achieving financial / technical ‘balance’ security and safety, and Data, processing, Health & Safety life cycle support. Capable of upgrade, change, correction © David J. Parsons 2008

ISE Definition 5 – relating the WHAT to the HOW This ISE definition helps us look at and remind ourselves of some of the PRACTICAL aspects of …… WHAT we need to consider as Professional Information Systems Practitioners Let’s now look EXAMINE and remind ourselves of some PRACTICAL aspects relating to ……. . HOW we need to ‘implement’ the WHAT as Professional Information Systems Practitioners © David J. Parsons 2008

Practical Professional Responsibilities – examples of HOW In my earlier lecture we briefly touched on aspects under the headings People Project Legal Personal Let me remind you of some of the matters we reviewed © David J. Parsons 2008

Practical Professional Responsibilities – examples of HOW - 1 People matters – what we do as professionals affects : Users Groups Impacts individuals – other professionals organisation – management their work & working practices When Team leading we may be involved with : Planning other people’s time Technical guidance leadership Coaching, advising, developing Simple approach – treat others as we would like them to treat us © David J. Parsons 2008

Practical Professional Responsibilities – examples of HOW - 2 Project Management matters requires us to consider : Understanding requirements functions schedule Managing / scheduling resources tasks Risk Analysis / management security, restart, recovery Quality Management everywhere ! People Management subordinates, ourselves !!! © David J. Parsons 2008 financial priorities time skills

Practical Professional Responsibilities – examples of HOW - 3 As Professionals we all have a professional obligation to comply with the laws and regulations which exist bin the countries in which we are working or in which our systems are operating. So we MUST ensure that our designs comply with any LEGAL and/or REGULATORY requirements : – e. g. Health & Safety - Critical Systems Data Protection – to ensure requirements enshrined in the Data Protection principles are implemented Intellectual Property - especially when using ‘packages’ / licensed software Computer Misuse – to ensure that appropriate ‘security’ is designed in to prevent / detect misuse …… and many more …. . © David J. Parsons 2008

Practical Professional Responsibilities – examples of HOW - 4 At a personal level we need to address matters such as : Maintaining knowledge & understanding To cope with new technologies different systems etc Developing our competence & expertise To be able to use / exploit different / new methods, tools Personal behaviour Maintaining high professional / ethical standards Communications skills Reports / presentations Setting examples and taking personal responsibility for our own & subordinates actions including ongoing CPD © David J. Parsons 2008

Practical Professional Responsibilities – other areas Examples of other Professional Disciplines which we might encounter as Professional Information Systems / Computing Practitioners include : Aspects of PLANNING & CONTROL related to : CHANGE MANAGEMENT PROJECT MANAGEMENT PEOPLE MANAGEMENT RESOURCE MANAGEMENT TIME MANAGEMENT COMMUNICATIONS SKILLS – written, oral BEHAVIOUR MANAGEMENT RISK MANAGEMENT QUALITY MANAGEMENT SUPPLIER MANAGEMENT These are all additional to the skills, knowledge and experience relating to the TECHNICAL aspects of our roles & they all impact “how we behave as IS / IT Professionals” © David J. Parsons 2008

How we behave as IS / IT Professionals So we need to study and understand matters such as : Ethical Principles and Practice The Obligations facing us as IS / IT / Computing Professionals The role of the Professional Society Codes of Conduct / Ethics / Good Practice All these areas can help us understand / guide Professional Behaviour / Professional Conduct. © David J. Parsons 2008

How we behave as IS / IT Professionals ETHICS Definitions New Oxford Dictionary ‘Moral principles that govern a person’s behaviour or the conducting of an activity ‘ ETHICS & COMPUTING – a definition Robert Ayers : Professional Issues in Computing “Ethics is concerned with questions of right and wrong, good and bad, and determining how people should behave in particular situations” © David J. Parsons 2008

PRACTICAL Computer Ethics ( Behaviour ) reminders NOT academic philosophical study BUT Practical issues relating to behaviour - e. g. Dealing with personal uncertainties Dealing with conflicts of opinion What choice should I make in this situation? Is the action I am considering unfair ? Source : Duncan Langford Practical Computer Ethics Practical issues In the workplace – client site, office, university Whatever we are working on – systems analysis, programming, documentation etc. Recognising any potential outcomes of ‘unethical’ behaviour © David J. Parsons 2008

Professional Behaviour Why should we be ethical ? A reminder…. Discussions held with Computer Science undergraduates suggest these points : TRUST as a reliable IS / IT Professional SECURITY guarding against unexpected outcomes COMFORT peace of mind Source : Duncan Langford – Practical Computer Ethics © David J. Parsons 2008

Professional Behaviour – which action should I take? Ethics Check / Ethical Decision Making Checklists Questions We looked at several approaches including the one taken from Blanchard & Peale The Power of Ethical Management ( modified by DJP ) Is it LEGAL ? Will it violate either civil law or company policy ? Is it BALANCED ? Is it fair to all concerned - short and long term ? Does it promote win-win relationships ? How will it make me feel about myself ? Will it make me feel proud ? Would I feel good if my decision were published ? Would I feel good if my family knew about it ? Will it pass the BATHROOM MIRROR test ? © David J. Parsons 2008

Professional Issues Professional Behaviour – I asked were there sources of help Given the challenges / issues relating to: people, projects, personal professionalism Given the need for professional compliance with legal / regulatory matters personal integrity and high standards of personal behaviour professional Ethics in the Workplace Are there any sources of help ? Can the Codes of Conduct / Practise of the Professional Societies provide useful guidelines to help us address / deal with the challenges we face ? © David J. Parsons 2008

Starting to summarise – the challenges we looked at ? Business / Technology environments faced by the Professional Why Information Systems are Important Need for Professionalism & the ‘performance’ of our industry Professional’s responsibilities – e. g. people, projects, legal, personal Professional behaviour – ‘ethics’ & codes of behaviour / conduct Why is it so important …… remember the surveys / reports …… © David J. Parsons 2008

Perception is Reality The Need for Professionalism 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 ( Mc. Graw Hill ) 2002 © David J. Parsons 2008

Report on GOVERNMENT IT PROJECTS – July 2003 Perhaps we can learn some lessons and avoid / prevent some of these Causes of Project Failure : Lack of clear link between project and organisations priorities Lack of clear senior management ownership Lack of effective engagement with project stakeholders Lack of project / risk management skills Lack of understanding / contact with supply industry Evaluation driven by price NOT value for money Too little breakdown of projects into manageable steps Inadequate resources and skills to deliver requirements … and understanding and recognising why factors such as these cause problems can help us all be a professional in the practical world in which we live and work ………… © David J. Parsons 2008

Being an IS / IT / Computing Professional in the PRACTICAL world As IS / IT / Computing / IS Professionals we need to be aware that : OUR designs will impact other professionals & end users WE are expected to be professional i. e. – expert, competent, etc. OUR work may well have legal, social & other implications WE are part of a relatively 'new' profession and there is / can be still considerable mistrust and ignorance of IS / IT issues © David J. Parsons 2008

Some Conclusions for us as IS / IT / Computing Professionals Putting the PRACTICAL ISSUES in context Information systems are here to stay ! Technology is becoming all pervasive Technology & associated information systems are becoming essential to most / many organisations These organisations will demand more of the technology & information systems investments Quality, reliability, functionality, effectiveness, efficiency. . . etc. will all be demanded As individuals involved with IS/IT studying the implications of the technology and the many issues raised by technology will help us all to be professional and act professionally But what else will we need to think about in the future…. © David J. Parsons 2008

Some Conclusions for us as IS / IT / Computing Professionals Looking at the FUTURE …. . What else will we need to think about in the future…. Some BIG ISSUES Some IMPORTANT QUESTIONS Some REAL CHALLENGES ……………. . © David J. Parsons 2008

Professional – I asked if there a need for an enhanced definition ? PROFESSIONAL ( NOD ) - “of or belonging to a profession. . . . involving training. . . . showing appropriate skill. . . . maintaining proper standards. . . . competent. . expert. . . " Do we need extend to include a mix of : competency ( e. g. relevant up to date skills appropriate to the tasks being carried out ) and integrity (e. g. a commitment to a recognised code of ethical behaviour which identifies obligations and responsibilities ( and which may, in certain circumstances overcall contractual obligations ) ) The BCS believes such an enhanced definition is necessary – what do you think ? © David J Parsons 2008

Some questions about the IS / IT / COMPUTING Profession Should the computing profession become more regulated ? Should the computing profession become a licenced profession ? Should those working in the profession need to be ‘registered’ as qualified and competent to carry out their role / fulfil their professional obligations in the same way as doctors and lawyers are registered ? If the answer to all or some of the above is YES, what would be involved ? Would a regulated ‘licenced’ computing profession prevent some of the errors and failures that have occurred ? © David J Parsons 2008

The FUTURE ? Likely IT Developments over next 10 years Taken from The Future of Law – Richard Susskind - 2002 Global telecommunications Information industries Virtual private networks Computing power increases Convergence of computers & television Smarter technologies Multi-media growth Usability developments Interpersonal & inter organisational computing WEB as the ‘first port of call’ We are already seeing many of these implemented. No doubt we could all add our own ideas to this list ! © David J. Parsons 2008

The TOP 10 Challenges for IT Professionals - 1 IET Information Professional – October / November 2006 1. CHARTERED STATUS : gaining in the GRAVITAS stakes 2. TEAM MANAGEMENT : keeping the best people 3. ENTERPRISE SECURITY : threats from inside 4. BALANCING ACT : IT – Business Alignment 5. ENTERPRISE MOBILITY : Where all the users going ? © David J. Parsons 2008

The TOP 10 Challenges for IT Professionals - 2 IET Information Professional – October / November 2006 6. WORK / LIFE BALANCE : stressing the importance 7. MANAGEMENT SKILLS : finding room at the top 8. OUR WAY : what the high achievers say 9. INTERPRISE SECURITY : guarding against outside threats : while they’re busy it’s time to catch up on your reading. 10. USER POWER © David J. Parsons 2008

The FUTURE What else do Information Systems Professionals need to be considering ? Some of my thoughts : 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 ? Are we developing a digital divide – separating the information haves from the information have nots. Will DATA be the next major pollutant ? No doubt you can and will add your own thoughts to this list ! © David J. Parsons 2008

Where I started - 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. ‘ Such technology developments / innovations surely HAVE and surely WILL continue so to do. That is why an understanding of PROFESSIONAL and related PRACTICAL ISSUES is so important to us all. THANK YOU for allowing me to share my thoughts with you. © David J. Parsons 2008