comp6099 research skills & professional issues professional issues in context university of...
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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
© David J Parsons 2008
Some Personal Background – Other Interests
Music / choral singing
Books / Maps – historical cartography
Amateur Radio
‘Ben’
The FUTURE – Professional Member of the World Future Society
© David J Parsons 2008
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 ?
© David J. Parsons 2008
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 ?
© David J. Parsons 2008
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
© David J. Parsons 2008
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.
© David J Parsons 2008
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
© David J Parsons 2008
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
© David J Parsons 2008
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
© David J Parsons 2008
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
© David J Parsons 2008
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
© David J Parsons 2008
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
© David J. Parsons 2008
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 “
© David J Parsons 2008
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 “
© David J. Parsons 2008
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 ?
© David J. Parsons 2008
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
© David J. Parsons 2008
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.
© David J Parsons 2008
Report on GOVERNMENT IT PROJECTS – July 2003
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
© David J Parsons 2008
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)
© David J Parsons 2008
Report on Complex IT Projects
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.
© David J Parsons 2008
Report on Complex IT Projects
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.
© David J Parsons 2008
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 “
© David J. Parsons 2008
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 “
© David J. Parsons 2008
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 ? ”
© David J. Parsons 2008
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 ?
© David J Parsons 2008
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 ?
© David J. Parsons 2008
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
© David J Parsons 2008
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
© David J. Parsons 2008
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 !!!
* specific areas identified / implied in the list of reasons for Project Failure
© David J Parsons 2008
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
© David J. Parsons 2008
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.
© David J. Parsons 2008
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 !!!
* specific areas identified / implied in the list of reasons for Project Failure
© David J Parsons 2008
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
* specific areas identified / implied in the list of reasons for Project Failure
© David J Parsons 2008
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 ?
© David J. Parsons 2008
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.....
© David J. Parsons 2008
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
© David J. Parsons 2008
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
© David J. Parsons 2008
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
© David J. Parsons 2008
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
© 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 are 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. ENTERPRISE SECURITY : guarding against outside threats
10.USER POWER : while they’re busy it’s time to catchup on your reading.
© David J Parsons 2008
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.
© David J. Parsons 2008
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.
© David J Parsons 2008
Thank You
Next time ( 12th March 2008 ) – I will look at Professional Issues in Practice