Professionalizing IT : Articles : Professional Issues : BCS

Here’s a well-written summary of the BCS’s position on developing the “professional” aspects of IT.

As IT becomes the medium in which business progress is made, a strategic enabler and a tactical nightmare – all simultaneously! As computer literacy and management of IS/IT resources is required of every employee (from marketing to front line sales staff) there’s a point of view that holds us all to be IT people now.

The question for the BCS will be to differentiate between “skills” (eg certifiable capability in an application, coding language, architectural knowledge) and “professionalism”.
For my part I see professionalism as a code of behaviour, conduct and commitments that sit on top of an arcane body of specialist, necessary knowledge. One can have all of this knowledge without being professional, and equally act in a professional manner with a less than comprehensive knowledge.

The BCS is putting great energy into this initiative. Rightly so, since it will define the role, remit and indeed purpose of the BCS.