IT Professionalism & CIPS

1. IT Professionalism & CIPS

2. Who is accountable for ensuring a 911 telephone system has 100% availability? What is the acceptable software failure rate for the auto-pilot system in a 747 jet? How much money was lost when the Toronto Stock Exchange systems went down and trading stopped?

3. Licenses for a computer program

4. A poorly designed software-controlled baggage handling system for a major new US International Airport, combined with a poorly managed implementation project, delayed opening the airport for over 1 year. Everything else was ready.

5. Professional code of ethics

6. Design Dilemma

7. Computer-controlled crash-avoidance system

8. A Medical Association exists to ensure your liver is not taken out when you have an appendectomy. A Professional Engineers Association exists to ensure bridges that are built will withstand travel loads and nature. Who is taking responsibility to ensure that IT projects and products have predictable levels of quality, reliability, and support?

10. Building a Profession • How do we ensure our IT industry practitioners have the correct qualifications? • How do we ensure that IT professionals keep their skills current? • Who will discipline IT practitioners that are negligent in their profession? • Who will enforce the proper use of the profession’s designation? • How do we ensure the integrity of the IT profession is protected?

11. Elements of a Mature Profession • Initial Professional Education • Accreditation • Skills Development • Certification • Licensing • Professional Development • Professional Societies • Code of Ethics • Organizational Certification 1,2

12. Elements of a Mature Profession “A profession has an identity – that the professionals see themselves as part of community of like-minded individuals who care about the quality of their professional practice. This identity usually manifests itself in the form of a professional society. Most professionals belong to the society, which, mostly through volunteer efforts, promotes the development and interactions of the other components of the profession.”1

13. CIPS Professionalism Professionalism goal Define and foster the Canadian IT profession. Promoting and achieving professionalism • Code of ethics • Certification (for members) • Education Program Accreditation

14. CIPS Professionalism Requirements for becoming an I.S.P. • Based upon a combination of education and experience, sponsorship, and adherence to the Code of Ethics • University and college programs accredited by CIPS Accreditation Councils are used as benchmarks for the education component

15. 10 Steps to a Successful IT Professional Career 1. Embrace the values of Information Technology 2. Practice the professionalism of your trade 3. Re-Skill… Re-Skill… Re-Skill…. 4. Communicate well – and often 5. Develop a personal learning architecture 6. Push for real senior management commitment 7. Create a new framework for learning 8. Rethink your personal goals, often 9. Focus on the future, and on change 10. Build the future • Your Decision • Your Key Mandate • The Hard Facts • Letting Go

16. “When you’re through changing… you’re through.” Will Rogers

17. Canada’s association of information technology professionals! www.cips.ca