COMP6099 Research Skills & Professional Issues Professional Issues in Context University of...

COMP6099Research Skills & Professional Issues

Professional Issues in Context

University of Manchester20th February 2008

Prof. David J Parsons

Topics to be covered

Some Reminders :

Today’s Business / Technology Environments

The Role & Importance of Information Systems

The Need for Professionalism in Computing

‘Some’ Professional Issues

Is there a Role for the Professional Societies ?

Some Conclusions & Challenges

…and as we progress – several questions

But first some personal background ……

© David J. Parsons 2008

Some Personal Background - 1

Qualifications in Banking, Data Processing, Computing & Management

35 years with Barclays Bank – mixed Banking / IT Career

Executive Roles included : Head of Technical Research

Head of Networks

Advanced Technology Director

Retired 1993

© David J Parsons 2008

Some Personal BackgroundCurrent / Recent Roles

ATTC Advanced Technology Consultancy / Advisory Services

BCS 10 years as Regional Operations Manager ( contract completed 8.06 )

Academic Visiting Professor - Computer Networking & Research Telecommunications Research Group – Salford University

Other Royal Academy of Engineering Visiting Professor - SheffieldChairs Honorary Visiting Professor Metropolitan University of London

Lecturing Professional / Management Issues – UG/PG various institutionsincludes Network Systems Architectures / Design – UG/PG

Research European Commission – evaluator / rapporteur HPCNEvaluation EPSRC Peer Review College


Some Personal Background – Other Interests

Music / choral singing

Books / Maps – historical cartography

Amateur Radio

‘Ben’

The FUTURE – Professional Member of the World Future Society


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.‘

Is this comment just as relevant today as it was in 1996 ?


Professional – a definition

( NOD )

PROFESSIONAL - “of or belonging to a profession ....... involving training....... showing appropriate skill ........ maintaining proper standards ....... competent .... expert....."

Is this definition sufficient, relevant and adequate for today’sIT / IS / Computing environment when we consider some of thechallenges / issues facing us ?


The Business Challenges facing today’s IS Professional

• Change the only really constant factor• Pressures on costs and revenues• Intensive competition - traditional markets under

attack• Markets - global, location independent, customer

focused• Increasingly complex & demanding regulatory / legal

framework• Increasing range of technology related opportunities• IT becoming essential to compete• Increasing range of IT based security threats/issues


The Technology Environment faced by today’s IT/IS Professional

Change / pace of change - characterised by :Huge amounts of storageEver increasing processing powerIncreasing amounts of networking bandwidthBetter - faster - smaller – cheaper

We are in a Technology driven Information / 'cyber' age where :Computing is everywhere - pervasive / ubiquitous Everything seems to be mobile / portableDistance is ‘dead’

The ‘MARTINI’ Scenario has arrived.


The ‘Martini’ Scenario – 1What IT/IS Professionals have made possible

Anytime - anyplace - anywhere

Technology that will allow ANY user :ANY whereANY timeANY how

Authorised access to : ANY productsANY servicesANY information

Available from ANY information or service provider

Located : ANY whereANY distance from the user


The ‘Martini’ Scenario - the ‘right’ one What IT/IS Professionals should make possible

The RIGHT one !

Technology that will provide the RIGHT user :

Authorised access to : the RIGHT productsthe RIGHT servicesthe RIGHT information

At the RIGHT location In the RIGHT format At the RIGHT timeFor the RIGHT price


For IT professionals What does ‘getting it RIGHT’ mean

An example : responding to / meeting ‘USERS’ requirements / needs

This could mean :

Attacking costs / Increasing revenuesImproving management of business risksBetter customer relationships, satisfaction levelsExploiting new delivery channels for products, servicesDeveloping new products & servicesReacting to market forces & competition

Exploiting existing / new technology investments to derive business value & benefits

Achieving all this in a reliable, safe, secure way, through projects which are delivered on-time and within budget


The need for ProfessionalismAre IT/IS Professionals getting IT RIGHT ?

Remember the old adage : PERCEPTION IS REALITY

How good are we at getting IT right ?

Some surveys suggest that the performance of the IS /ITIndustry leaves much to be desired.

Scientific American Survey - 1994Gartner / Standish Surveys - 1998OASIG Survey – 1998


IS Industry Performance - 1

Scientific American 199425% of all large scale developments cancelled

Gartner / Standish 1998

Almost 33% of the projects failed altogether

Almost 75% of IT projects exceeded their budgets & schedules

OASIG 1998About 40% of developments fail or are abandoned

About 80% of systems are delivered late and over budget


IS Industry Performance – 2What about something more up to date ?

The concern does not seem to go away !!

Standish 2002 *

31% of projects cancelled before completion88% of projects exceed deadline, budget or bothFor every 100 starts, there are 94 restartsAverage cost overrun – 189%Average schedule overrun – 222%

* IT Project Management : On Track from Start to FinishJoseph Philips ( McGraw Hill ) 2002


IS Industry Performance – 3What about nearer home ?

Over the years we see headline comments such as :

Computing 26th Sept. 2002 “More project skills for civil servants”

3rd Oct. 2002 “Trials begin on Child Support IT system”

Computer Weekly

3rd Oct. 2002 “ National insurance number errors not taxpayers fault “


The On-Going Need for ProfessionalismHave things got better ?

“Typical” Press Coverage

Computing - 28th October 2004

“ Firearms database delayed once again ”

Computer Weekly – 2nd November 2004

“ Inland Revenue deletes tax records in database gaffe “

Computer Weekly – 9th November 2004

“ High-risk IT projects skipping vital review stages, reveals NAO “

“ Abbey admits Cahoot testing poor “

Computing – 11th November 2004

“ Cahoot admits to system flaw “Computer Weekly 16th November 2004

“ Magistrates £390m system faces further delays, warns project head “


IT ProfessionalismSome challenging questions ??

As IS / IT Professionals we know that many projects are successful – so is this perception of our performance acceptable ?

Why do we not hear so much about successful projects ?

Do IT / IS projects have characteristics which lead to failure, missedschedules, being over budget etc.

Are there differences between Public and Private Sector, large and smallprojects ?

What can be learnt that will help the IS /IT Professional – from bothsuccessful and less successful projects ?

What is being learnt ?


The Need for Professionalism

Computing - 7th August 2003

“IT failures show lessons have not been learnt”

POST ( Parliamentary Office of Science & Technology )

Report on GOVERNMENT IT PROJECTS – July 2003



Technology Issues – specific to IT :

Rapidly changing technologyUser requirements – often not clear and can changeComplexity of large systems / programmesOversight- non-technical management

Project Issues :

Relations with SuppliersProject management

Several actions taken and studies in progress to determine what ITprofessionals can learn from the identified experiences – but look at the stated reasons for project failure.



Causes of Project Failure :

Lack of clear link between project and organisations prioritiesLack of clear senior management ownershipLack of effective engagement with project stakeholdersLack of project / risk management skillsLack of understanding / contact with supply industryEvaluation driven by price NOT value for moneyToo little breakdown of projects into manageable stepsInadequate resources and skills to deliver requirements

Note : the lack of any mention of technology in these reasons


Report on Complex IT Projects

Royal Academy of Engineering / BCS Report on ‘Complex ITProjects’ April 2004.

Executive Summary

"A significant percentage of IT project failures, perhaps most, could have been avoided using techniques we already know

how to apply. For shame, we can do better than this." (L. Hatton)



Conclusions - 1

1. The levels of professionalism observed in software engineering are generally lower than those in other branches of engineering, although there are exceptions.

2. Education in many universities and management schools in the UK is not producing IT practitioners with the IT application and project skills they need.

3.The importance of project management is not well understood and usually under-rated and senior managers are often ill qualified to handle issues relating to complex IT projects.

4. Risk management is critical to success in complex projects but is seldom applied effectively in the case of IT and software.



Conclusions - 2

5. The vital role of the systems architect in major IT projects is frequently not appreciated and there is a shortage of appropriately skilled individuals.

6. There is an urgent need to promote the adoption of best practice amongst IT practitioners and their customers.

7.Basic research into complexity and associated issues is required to enable the effective development of complex, globally distributed systems.


The On-Going Need for ProfessionalismHave things got better ?

2004 Press Coverage

Computing - 28th October 2004

“ Firearms database delayed once again ”

Computer Weekly – 2nd November 2004

“ Inland Revenue deletes tax records in database gaffe “

Computer Weekly – 9th November 2004

“ High-risk IT projects skipping vital review stages, reveals NAO “

“ Abbey admits Cahoot testing poor “

Computing – 11th November 2004

“ Cahoot admits to system flaw “Computer Weekly 16th November 2004

“ Magistrates £390m system faces further delays, warns project head “


The On-Going Need for ProfessionalismIssues still being raised ?

2006 Press Coverage

Computer Weekly – 13th June 2006

“ Investigating why people misuse computers & how to stop them “

Computing – 17th August 2006

“ Banks seek new fraud solutions “

Computing – 24th August 2006

“ Nurses losing faith in NHS IT “Computer Weekly 19th September 2006

“ Major incidents hit NHS national systems “Computer Weekly 26th September 2006“ IT directors failing to assess risk of human error in data centre systems “


The On-Going Need for ProfessionalismIssues are still being raised ?

2007 Press Coverage

It would be great to see some “good” reports – however :

Computer Weekly – 16th October 2007

“ Revenue gears up for court battle with EDS “

Computing – 25th October 2007

“ Armed forces face pay crisis “Computer Weekly 23rd October 2007

“ Roadworks planning IT law ‘unworkable’ ”Computer Weekly 9th October 2007“ Tax systems wrongly issues fines to up to 14,000 firms ”

Computing – 25th October 2007

“ Will we ever learn from past failures ? ”


IS / IT Performance – the REALITY

It is clear that many projects are successful and deliver value

BUT

there are areas where things can and do go wrong

&

Where we as IT / IS Professionals ( and others involved ) donot always get IT right

What are some of those areas where we need to exploit andif necessary develop our professional skills ?

Do we need to re-think the definition of PROFESSIONAL ?


The BCS thinks so !Professional – an enhanced definition

( NOD )

PROFESSIONAL - “of or belonging to a profession ....... involvingtraining....... showing appropriate skill ........ maintaining properstandards ....... competent .... expert....."

The BCS believes we need 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 overcall contractual obligations )

With that in mind – what are the skills and commitment required from ITPROFESSIONALS ?


Where do we need to develop our professional skills to Get IT Right ?

Technical skills associated with our professional discipline :

Research, Programming, systems, operations, support etc....

Other skills essential to most ( including our ) professions

People

Project ( including legal issues )

Personal


Professional Responsibilities – ‘people’ examples

Systems impact people

Users, individuals, management, colleagues, customers,clients etc.

When : Considering impact of designs & decisions on work & working practices AND the PUBLIC *

Ensuring fitness for purpose – meeting users’, clients’ and the publics’ NEEDS

Addressing Team matters * – leading, coaching, advising

* specific areas identified / implied in the list of reasons for Project Failure


Professional IS/IT ResponsibilitiesProject Management examples

Our experience becomes essential in Project Management matters – e.g.

*Understanding requirements e.g. functions, financial, schedules

( including legal issues ) balancing priorities

*Managing / scheduling resources e.g. tasks, time, skills

*Risk Analysis / management e.g. security, restart, recovery

*Quality Management at all stages of systems lifecycle

*People Management subordinates, superiors, suppliers, ourselves !!!



Legal Issues A few important thoughts

We all have a duty to comply

Technology - including software is relatively new

Law not always considered adequate to deal with issues thrown up by new technology

Legal Profession has variable levels of experience as to how the law relates to IT

Legal issues can be & often are complex

Complexity increases with global operations

Find a good lawyer !!

From Colin Myers – Professional Awareness in Software Engineering


Professional Responsibilities –a few Legal examples

Health & Safety - Critical Systems

Data Protection /Freedom of Information / RIPA

Intellectual Property

Computer Misuse

Computer Contracts

Computer generated evidence

etc. etc.


Professional IS/IT ResponsibilitiesProject Management examples

Our experience becomes essential in Project Management matters – e.g.

*Understanding requirements e.g. functions, financial, schedules

( including legal issues ) balancing priorities

*Managing / scheduling resources e.g. tasks, time, skills

*Risk Analysis / management e.g security, restart, recovery

*Quality Management at all stages of systems lifecycle

*People Management subordinates, superiors, suppliers, ourselves !!!



Professional IS/IT Responsibilities‘personal’ examples

Constant change brings other personal challenges – we need to be :

* 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

Making sure we exhibit high standards of Personal behaviour

Maintaining high professional / ethical standards

Communications skills Reports / presentations



So we have :Issues, Pressures, Challenges, Opportunities associated with :

• Business Pressures / challenge of change

• Technical challenges & opportunities

• Perceptions about our project performance

• People issues

• Project ( including legal ) issues

• Personal professionalism - keeping ‘up to date’ Is there a source of help ?


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

Set standards for professional conduct

etc. etc.....


Professional SocietyCodes 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


British Computer SocietyCode of Conduct & Practice

The BCS Introduced Revised Codes in January 2002 ( CONDUCT )and September 2004 ( PRACTICE )

The Code of Conduct covers :

The Public Interest Rules 1 - 6

Duty to Relevant Authority Rules 7 - 9

Duty to the Profession Rules 10 - 13

Professional Competence & Integrity Rules 14 – 17

Copies can be ‘downloaded’ from the BCS WEB Site


British Computer SocietyCode of Practice

Code of Practice “describes standards of practice relating tothe contemporary multifaceted demands found in informationtechnology.”

Provides relevant GUIDANCE :

• Common practices of relevance to all IT professionals• Key practices specific to particular IT skills• Practices specific to particular business or education streams

Code will be regularly updated

Copies available from the BCS WEB Site


Other Relevant Professional OrganisationsCodes of Conduct & Practice

Institution of Analysts and Programmers (IAP)

Similar in structure to the BCSIncludes Duties to the Public, Profession, the IAP, Clients / Employers

ACM - Code of Ethics & Professional Conduct

Defined in terms of : General Moral ImperativesSpecific Professional Responsibilities

Organisational Leadership Imperatives

Institution of Electrical Engineers

Institution for the Management of Information Systems

There are links to these and many others from the BCS WEB Site


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 are all the users going ?


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. ENTERPRISE SECURITY : guarding against outside threats

10.USER POWER : while they’re busy it’s time to catchup on your reading.


Some Conclusions for IS/IT ProfessionalsPutting the CHALLENGES / ISSUES in context

Information systems are here to stay !

Technology has become all pervasive

Technology & associated information systems are becoming /have become essential to most organisations……….

….who will continue to demand more of the technology & informationsystems investments e.g. quality, reliability, functionality

As individuals ( whether involved with IS/IT or not ) we ALL need to be professional and act professionally

Perhaps the Professional Societies through their programmes, codes etc can help.


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.‘

The comment was made in 1996 - is it still relevant today ?

I believe it is – I believe technologies such as the WEB will continueto be a major influence & will raise important issues / challenges forus as professionals – no doubt you will have your own views.


Thank You

Next time ( 12th March 2008 ) – I will look at Professional Issues in Practice

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