Building the IT Professionalism Model

Although it has made great strides since its inception, in comparison to the more established professions the IT profession is still in its infancy. Questions such as what is the scope of the IT profession in terms of practitioner competencies and what is the body of knowledge are slowly being addressed. IP3's ambition is to help create a mature IT profession with clearly defined professional standards that will stand comparison with the established professions.

What defines a profession?

There are many definitions of what constitutes a profession. Typically they all refer to a disciplined group of individuals who adhere to high ethical standards and are accepted by the public as possessing special knowledge and skills in a widely recognized, organized body of learning derived from specialized education and training. Inherent in this definition is the idea that the responsibility for the welfare, health and safety of the community takes precedence over personal considerations.

What defines a professional?

A professional is a practitioner who has specific skills rooted in a broad base, has appropriate qualifications from a recognized body, undergoes continuous development and operates to a code of conduct.

Benefits of a More Mature Profession

Analysts’ studies on the evolution and progress of the effectiveness of IT investment for years have confirmed that most IT projects are still failing at an alarmingly high rate. The causes can be traced back to many different factors, but the main reasons appear to be behind the core components that define most professions: competence (including knowledge and skills), and integrity (including a public obligation and accountability).

IP3 is committed to creating a business focused IT profession that is defined through globally recognized and valued standards and that has the ability to play a full part at all stages of IT enabled business change.

Advancing the broader concepts of a profession and professionalism in IT will result in:

• An improved ability for organizations to exploit the full potential of IT effectively and consistently;

• Create a profession that is respected and valued;

• Create a source of real pride and aspiration for IT practitioners.