Someone I know, a big-cheese software developer at a
FTSE 100 company, dreads cocktail parties. He knows that his answer
to the inevitable “what do you do?” question will immediately be
followed by a sudden glazing over of eyes.
After glazing over, those eyes will then start desperately
darting around the room for somebody, anybody else – even a
corporate lawyer – to talk to rather than the IT professional
standing before them.
The irony in the title of the Channel Four comedy programme The
IT Crowd reflects the public’s perception of those who work in
information technology: the big-haired bespectacled chap in a
terrible jumper who speaks a different language to the rest of the
company and hides away in a basement office, only venturing out to
fix computers or send e-mails about server trouble.
The reality, however, is that the IT industry is the single most
important factor in the success of the UK’s economy – the fifth
largest economy in the world – and it is at the heart of some of
the most iconic brands of our age.
Given the massive influence of mobile phone technology and the
internet, that impact is going to increase. We only have to look at
the recent havoc caused by the
70-minute glitch on the Dow Jones stock exchange, which caused
millions to be wiped off its value in a single day, to see the
massive influence technology has on commerce.
When an idea succeeds, it is put down to a business programme, a
business initiative that went well. When it does not, it is quickly
labelled an IT failure, even when the CIO has not been responsible
for failed developments.
The truth is that technology is at the heart of business to the
extent that it drives business. IT professionals working in this
business environment need to have a broad understanding of the
business case. Put plainly, they need to understand UK plc.
IT professionals need to tell the technical side of the story, and
persuade and enlighten, in language the CEO and middle managers
will understand, because managers are not suddenly going to start
talking C++.
Everybody knows somebody like this and sees them in action every
day: someone who absolutely understands the business angle, the
CIOs-to-be who will succeed in smashing the existing glass ceiling
and make it on to the board.
Being professional is not just about belonging to a membership
organisation and adhering to its code of conduct. It also involves
having business acumen, as well as ensuring your skills are up to
date. Most importantly, it means getting involved in issues that
affect the IT industry, and having your say in what the profession
is going to look like in years to come.
In short, it means recognising the profound impact IT projects
have on everybody. It is time to put the geek image to bed once and
for all and stop being embarrassed about what we do. Because what
we do affects everyone, whether they like it or not.
Adam Thilthorpe is programme manager for BCS Professionalism
in IT
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