Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Redefining and Retooling the IT PRO
Redefining and Retooling the IT PRO
Ron Gandiza
EVP of Community Development
AgendaAgenda
Introduction
What is an IT Pro?
The Evolution of the IT Pro
The Needs of the Marketplace
The Challenge for IT Pros
How Can Academia Help
Introduction – What is CulminisIntroduction – What is Culminis
Mission: Culminis is an international, not-for-profit organization with a mission to elevate the status of IT Professionals in the workplace and the general community by assisting and growing the IT PRO user group community, while also building a long-term relationship with leading IT solution providers such as Microsoft and Intel - bringing IT together.
Scope: Six international divisions including:• United States (US)• Canada (CAN)• Europe-Middle East-Africa (EMEA)• Asia Pacific (APAC)• Latin America (LATAM)• Greater China Region (GCR)
Current Reach: 424 IT PRO user groups (Member Organizations) representing over 523,000 IT Professionals worldwide.
What is an IT Pro?What is an IT Pro?
Information Technology (IT) is a term that encompasses all forms of technology used to create, store, exchange, and use information in its various forms (business data, voice conversations, still images, motion pictures, multimedia presentations, and other forms, including those not yet conceived).
An IT Professional is defined as “Executives, managers, or staff people whose primary job function is the installation, maintenance, management, and/or support of information technology (IT) systems
IT PRO Career ClustersIT PRO Career Clusters
Database Administration
Digital Media
Enterprise Systems Analysis and Integration
Network Design and Administration
Programming/Software Engineering
Technical Support
Technical Writing
Web Administration
IT Pro Roles and ResponsibilitiesIT Pro Roles and Responsibilities
Small Business
Enterprise
Do It Yourselfer
Characteristics: • Typically in small
business• No formal IT
department• Has a non-IT full time
job, and serve as the IT expert for their company
IT Manager
Characteristics:• Managers of IT• Sample job titles: CIO,
CTO, IT Director, IT Manager, Purchasing Manager, Operations Manager
App/LOB Specialist
Characteristics:• Responsible for LOB
Applications • Example job titles: DB
Administrator, Web Administrator, Application Architect
IT Generalist
Characteristics:• Typically found in medium business• Performs multiple specialist roles, including helpdesk• Example job titles: Operations Engineer, Branch Office Administrator, IT
Systems Engineer, Computer Technician
Desktop and End User Support
Characteristics:• Responsible for desktop
deployment and end user support and training
• Sample job titles: Helpdesk Administrator, Desktop Support, Desktop Deployment Administrator
Infrastructure Specialist
Characteristics: • Responsible for operations and
infrastructure• Sample job titles: System
Architect, System Administrator, Network Administrator, Security Administrator, Storage Administrator
Complexity of Technology used by Organization
Size of Organizatio
n
Low High
Breakdown of IT Pro Roles Breakdown of IT Pro Roles
DIY9%
IT Manager27%
Infa Specialist
10%App/LOB
Spec17%
Desktop Spec12%
IT Generalist25%
IT Staffing Breakdowns by FunctionIT Staffing Breakdowns by Function
23
14
9
8
8
7
7
6
4
3
9
0 5 10 15 20 25
Average % of IT Staff Time Spent on Function
Help Desk Support
Network Management
Application Maint
Management Planning
Application Dev’t
Mainframe/Server Mgmt
Desktop Optimization
Network Optimization
Database Admin
Mainframe/Server Opt
Other
Estimated Number of IT ProsEstimated Number of IT Pros
US 8.28 million
Canada 0.35 million
United Kingdom 1.70 million
France 1.10 million
Germany 1.74 million
Japan 1.06 million
Greater China 1.02 million
Rest of Europe 2.70 million
Latin America 1.74 million
Asia Pacific 1.01 million
World Wide 20.7 million
The Evolution of the IT ProThe Evolution of the IT Pro
The increasingly critical role of the Digital Nervous System (DNS) for businesses has expanded the mission of IT Pros:
• Information technology is considered a critical strategic revenue-generating asset instead of just a tactical (operational) expense.
• IT portfolio management (management of IT assets) and IT governance (decision-making process) are part of the strategic planning of any large company.
Computer and Applications
Support
Business ProcessImprovement
Strategic Planning
Network Support
Pre-1990’s2000
Early 1990’sLate 1990’s
Key Support Areas for IT ProfessionalsKey Support Areas for IT Professionals
The IT PRO must support every business unit in a company.
The health of a “digital nervous system,” and a company’s bottom line, is ultimately dependent on:• The proper aligning of a company’s
business goals with its technology capabilities.
• The business and technical skills of the IT professional that support it.
• The business processes that wrap around the technology to produce results.
InformationFlow
BusinessOperations
KnowledgeManagement
E-Commerce
DigitalNervousSystem
The Top 10 Technical Skills Needed by IT ProsThe Top 10 Technical Skills Needed by IT Pros
1. Ability to Monitor and Report Component, Security and Connectivity Problems
2. Ability to Install, Configure and Test System Hardware and Peripherals
3. Ability to Perform System Backups and Restore Data
4. Ability to Apply Maintenance, Upgrades and Process Changes
5. Ability to Evaluate and Identify Risks as Part of Project Management
6. Ability to Produce Business and Technical Documents
7. Ability to Identify Customer Requirements for Web Development Projects
8. Ability to Develop and Implement Preventative Maintenance Plan
9. Ability to Provide Strategic Direction for Systems Configuration and Inter-operability
10. Ability to Develop and Implement a Security Plan
Six of the Top 10 Technical Skills in Demand are Actually Business SkillsSix of the Top 10 Technical Skills in Demand are Actually Business Skills
1. Ability to Monitor and Report Component, Security and Connectivity Problems
2. Ability to Install, Configure and Test System Hardware and Peripherals
3. Ability to Perform System Backups and Restore Data
4. Ability to Apply Maintenance, Upgrades and Process Changes
5. Ability to Evaluate and Identify Risks as Part of Project Management
6. Ability to Produce Business and Technical Documents
7. Ability to Identify Customer Requirements for Web Development Projects
8. Ability to Develop and Implement Preventative Maintenance Plan
9. Ability to Provide Strategic Direction for Systems Configuration and Inter-operability
10. Ability to Develop and Implement a Security Plan
Top 20 Most Popular Computing Skills in Proportion to Advertisements in the UKTop 20 Most Popular Computing Skills in Proportion to Advertisements in the UK1. Management
2. Support
3. Finance
4. Analyst
5. Design
6. SQL
7. Unix
8. Testing
9. Programming
10. Microsoft
11. Oracle
12. Java
13. Network
14. Database
15. Web
16. Degree
17. Maintenance
18. C++
19. Architect
20. Windows
Top 5 Most Popular Computing Skills in the UKTop 5 Most Popular Computing Skills in the UK
MANAGEMENT
SUPPORT
FINANCE
ANALYST
DESIGN
The IT Industry in the US Recognizes the Lack of Business Skills by IT ProsThe IT Industry in the US Recognizes the Lack of Business Skills by IT Pros
The Unites States Technology Administration recommended:
• With over 90% of IT workers performing jobs outside the IT industry, it is necessary for them to have both IT training and complementary training in their respective business sector (e.g. health care, manufacturing, financial services)
• The industry is also looking for well-developed soft skills and an “umbrella skill set” of basic, transferable IT skills.
• IT workers must acquire new skills frequently in order to maintain their labor market viability and upward mobility.
The Information Technology Association of America (ITAA) states that:
• “Personality is a major plus. In the soft skills area, interpersonal skills drew the most votes from companies of all sizes—twice as important as project management or team building.”
The Merging of Disciplines - From IT Pro to IT Solution Architect
The Merging of Disciplines - From IT Pro to IT Solution Architect
TechnicalSkills
BusinessSkills
Project ManagementSkills
The Challenge for the New IT ProThe Challenge for the New IT Pro
IT Pros must pursue both business and project management skills training, in addition to standard technical training, in order to better serve the needs of their employers and advance in their careers.
IT Pros must market their abilities to solve problems, instead of highlighting specific technologies they have learned, in order to stay competitive in the marketplace.
IT Pros must start thinking both tactically (reducing costs) and strategically (generating revenue).
IT Pros must embrace the concept of “lifelong learning” in such a dynamic industry
Who is Responsible for Helping to Train and Educate IT Pros in Supporting the Needs of the Marketplace? Who is Responsible for Helping to Train and Educate IT Pros in Supporting the Needs of the Marketplace?
The Information Technology Association of America (ITAA) 2004 Annual IT Workforce Study concluded:
• Employers still put the hiring emphasis on a solid track record. The best background for IT jobs appears to be previous experience in a related field (46 percent) and a four-year college degree (41 percent) in a related field
• Hiring managers indicated that best methods for internal advancement included participation in formal on the job training (56 percent) and certification programs (55 percent).
• Seventy-one percent of survey respondents said certification or continuing education is either important or very important for advancement
The IT Industry relies on a group of training centers for IT skills, including private IT schools, vendor-authorized training providers, corporate universities, community colleges and four-year institutions
How can Academia Support the Needs of IT ProsHow can Academia Support the Needs of IT Pros
• Increase financial stability for IT Professionals by providing expert career guidance and networking opportunities
• Increase job security for IT Professionals by providing training on leading edge IT AND business skills needed by the marketplace
• Build a sense of community among IT Professionals by providing a collaborative alumni support network
• Increase self-esteem by recognizing Information Technology as a true profession
• Encourage personal and professional growth of IT Professionals by providing learning challenges and promoting the concept of “lifelong learning”
Key QuestionsKey Questions
1. Will the academic community integrate technical and business education tracks based on the current and future needs of the marketplace and the IT industry?
2. Are leaders/faculty in the academic community willing to participate in a collaborative effort with the IT pro community and the business community to change the way we train and educate IT Pros from a linear to a holistic approach?
3. Who will step up and lead the charge for change within the academic community?
Questions?Questions?
Ron GandizaEVP – Community Development
