Developing IT Professionalism

Chapter 19

19-1© 2009 Pearson Education, Inc.  Publishing as Prentice Hall

© 2009 Pearson Education, Inc.  Publishing as Prentice Hall

Some thoughts on “Un-professionalism”

Catching train rather than going to meeting at 4 pm

“What can you do for me?”

Arrogant - “I don't want to wear a pager”

Apathetic – “I don’t really care for the business”

Cc’ing the whole world to get a point over

Are older staff stuck in a comfort zone?

Do new staff understand professionalism?

Can Professionalism be taught say at NAIT and the University of Alberta?

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Professional vs. Professionalism

Profession – characterized by a systematic body of theory, recognized professional authority, community sanctions, a regulative code of ethics; and a culture of norms, values, and symbols. (Greenwood, 1965, Caplow, 1966)

Professionalism – refers to a person’s attitude to, behavior on, and capabilities in the job. 19-3

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Professional Behaviors Include … (Belilos, 1998; Boushka, 1998, Chial, 1998)

“Treat your peers with respect and consideration”

“Behave with integrity at all times”

“A professional does not make hateful or threatening statements about others”

“A professional does not behave in a bizarre manner”

“A professional shows up on time and is prepared”

Question: In groups from the above, provide examples of un-professionialism?

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Professionalism Involves…

Behaviors towards an employer – loyalty, following strategic vision

Behaviors towards clients – commitment, enthusiasm, solving problems

Behaviors towards peer groups – maintaining skills

Adherence to ethical standards

Ability to manage job commitments

Ability to deal with cultural diversity

Ability to cope with change19-5

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Imperatives of the Association of Computer Machinery (ACM) Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct

General moral imperatives (Allowing proper credit for IP and honour confidentiality (Non-disclosure))

Specific professional responsibilities (maintaining professional competence)

Organizational leadership imperatives (A goal to enhance the IT solution for the companies benefit)

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Principles of Managing for Professionalism

Corporate values and behavior can promote or discourage professionalism.

Companies get the behavior they actually expect, not the behavior they say they want.

Expectations of professionalism should be consistent from the top down and through all parts of the organization.

Much professional behavior is caught not taught.

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Tips for IT ManagersIdentify your corporate values and live them.

Measure and reward what you value.

Model professionalism for your staff. (Integrity)

Seek out and eliminate inconsistencies (Disparancy) between company values and actual HR and management practices.

Provide mentoring and training in professional attitudes and behavior.

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Principles of Professionalism for IT Workers – Behaviour’s

1. Comportment

2. Preparation

3. Communication

4. Judgment

5. Attitude19-9

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Principles of Professionalism for IT Workers – Behaviour 1 -

ComportmentPrinciple 1:

An IT worker’s professionalism is often judged by his or her dress and manner towards others.

Tip:When in doubt, an IT worker should model the comportment of the best exemplar in the office and dress as well as one’s immediate supervisor.

Use 7 - habit tips for mannerism! – Courtesy and respect. Try not to take it personally

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Principles of Professionalism for IT Workers – Behaviour 2 -

PreparationPrinciple 2:

Professionalism means that others can trust what an IT worker says and does. This comes from being prepared and organized.

Tips:Take time to interact informally with users

Take time to get to know the business. (Take the holistic view approach)

Seek out and utilize any resources that help you get organized (PMO)

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Principles of Professionalism for IT Workers – Behaviour 3-

CommunicationPrinciple 3:

Good communication skills are essential to building professional relationships.

Note:

Communication is extremely important in any discipline. It is a social phenomena. Once mastered is extremely beneficial to all!

Tips:Seek advice from other professionals (maybe a mentor)

Use resources that will improve written communications (Spell-Checker, Grammar checker or even ask someone for assistance)

Document commitments and promises and ensure they are met.

Use Effective listening skills i.e. “Active”

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Principles of Professionalism for IT Workers – Behaviour 4 - Judgment

Principle 4:

Professionalism means making the right choices for the organization as a whole, not just a specific area.

Tips:Make sure of all facts first then make a conscience decision.

Maintain a ‘service’ orientation.

Be familiar with corporate standards and laws regarding computing.

Be flexible, find a negotiated way forward.

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Principles of Professionalism for IT Workers – Behaviour 5 - Attitude

Principle 5:

Professionalism means a positive attitude ‘caring’ toward work, other people, and one’s employer.

Tips:Seek opportunities for personal growth.

Save highly critical remarks for private communication.

Attitude and demeanor will be used to judge.

Some verbs:

Passion, without arrogance, ‘I can do it’, extra mile, accept criticism and coaching for personal growth, calm, stable no temper, serving

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Advice for IT Managers

Get consensus on the meaning of professionalism. – Meetings with this agenda

Articulate values. – making the right judgment on corporate values

Provide resources to support professionalism. – forms of training

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Advice for IT Managers Continued

Grow professionalism in small steps.

Offer intensive mentoring for staff who are willing to change.

Help people find their niche.

Weed out people whose attitudes are destructive. – Those that wont change 19-16

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ACM Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct 1992

1. General Moral ImperativesI will1.1 contribute to society and human well-being.1.2 avoid harm to others.1.3 be honest and trustworthy.1.4 be fair and take action not to discriminate.1.5 honor property rights including copyrights and patents.1.6 give proper credit for intellectual property.1.7 respect the privacy of others.1.8 honor confidentiality.

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ACM Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct 1992 Continued

2. Personal ResponsibilitiesI will2.1 strive to achieve the highest quality, effectiveness, and dignity in both the process and products of professional work.2.2 acquire and maintain professional competence.2.3 know and respect existing laws, pertaining to professional work.2.4 accept and provide appropriate professional review.2.5 give comprehensive and thorough evaluations of computer systems and their impacts including analysis of possible risks.2.6 honor contracts, agreements, and assigned responsibilities.2.7 improve public understanding of computing and its consequences.2.8 access computing and communication resources only when authorized to do so.

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ACM Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct 1992 Continued

3. Organizational Leadership ImperativesI will3.1 articulate social responsibilities of members of an organizational unit and encourage full acceptance of those responsibilities.3.2 manage personnel and resources to design and build information systems that enhance the quality of working life.3.3 acknowledge and support proper and authorized users of an organization’s computing and communication resources.

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ACM Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct 1992 Continued

3. Organizational Leadership ImperativesI will3.4 ensure that users and those who will be affected by a system have their needs clearly articulated during the assessment and design of requirements; later the system must be validated to meet requirements. 3.5 articulate and support policies that protect the dignity of users and others affected by a computing system.3.6 create opportunities for members of the organization to learn the principles and limitations of computer systems. 19-20

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IT Professional Standards and Professionalism [Department of Computer Science, University of Virginia]

CensorshipCommunity valuesComputer ethics and social impact in schoolsCopyrights, patents, trademarks, intellectual propertyCrimeDisabilitiesDiscrimination and harassmentEthicsFraud and dishonesty in business

Freedom of speechGreen machinesHackingHistory of computingImpactLiabilitiesNetiquettePrivacyRelationshipsResponsibilitiesSafety critical systemsVirusesWorld codes

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Professionalism and Standards should be exercised in the following areas:

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Conclusion

Professionalism constitutes a set of behaviors over and above the technical requirements of the job.

Comportment (mannerism), preparation, communication, judgment, and attitude are as important to getting a job done as technical skill.

Professionalism of the IT staff will impact the effectiveness of the IT department.

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