© ITWF Team
Christine V. Bullen, Ph.D.Christine V. Bullen, Ph.D.Stevens Institute of TechnologyStevens Institute of Technology
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Motivation for Studying the IT WorkforceMotivation for Studying the IT Workforce
Consistent top concern of IT
management
Changing times Lowered university IT enrollments
Pending baby boomer retirements
Migrating skills
Clients increased use of providers -
2005 study
© ITWF Team
TECHNICALTECHNICAL•Systems AnalysisSystems Analysis•Systems DesignSystems Design•ProgrammingProgramming•System TestingSystem Testing•Database Database Design/MgtDesign/Mgt•IT Architecture/StdsIT Architecture/Stds•Voice/Data Voice/Data TelecommTelecomm•Operating SystemsOperating Systems•Server HostingServer Hosting•SecuritySecurity•Mainframe/LegacyMainframe/Legacy•OperationsOperations•Continuity/Disaster Continuity/Disaster RecoveryRecovery•Desktop Desktop Support/Help DeskSupport/Help Desk
BUSINESS BUSINESS DOMAINDOMAIN•Industry KnowledgeIndustry Knowledge•Company Specific Company Specific KnowledgeKnowledge•Functional Area Functional Area Process KnowledgeProcess Knowledge•Business Process Business Process Design/ReengingDesign/Reenging•Change Mngment/ Change Mngment/ Orgl ReadinessOrgl Readiness•Managing Managing Stakeholders Stakeholders •CommunicationCommunication
PROJECT PROJECT MANAGEMENTMANAGEMENT•Project Planning, Project Planning, Budgeting, Budgeting, SchedulingScheduling•Project Risk Project Risk ManagementManagement•Negotiation Negotiation •Project LeadershipProject Leadership•User Relationship User Relationship ManagementManagement•Working with Working with Virtual TeamsVirtual Teams•Working GloballyWorking Globally•Capability Maturity Capability Maturity Model UtilizationModel Utilization
SOURCINGSOURCING•Sourcing StrategySourcing Strategy•Third Party Provider Third Party Provider SelectionSelection•Contracting and Contracting and LegalLegal•Managing 3rd Party Managing 3rd Party ProvidersProviders•Managing Customer Managing Customer RelationshipsRelationships•Customer SelectionCustomer Selection•Go-to-market Go-to-market StrategyStrategy
© ITWF Team
Phase 1 – Client Firms - 77Phase 1 – Client Firms - 77IndustryIndustry ShareShare
Professional ServicesProfessional Services 21%21%
Financial ServicesFinancial Services 21%21%
Heavy IndustryHeavy Industry 26%26%
Other ServicesOther Services 33%33%
RevenueRevenue
Fortune 500+ Fortune 500+ (over $3 billion)(over $3 billion) 41%41%
Large Large ($500 million – $3 billion)($500 million – $3 billion) 22%22%
SME SME (less than $500milion)(less than $500milion) 37%37%
© ITWF Team
Client Critical Capabilities
Functional Process KnowledgeFunctional Process Knowledge
Project Planning/Scheduling/BudgetingProject Planning/Scheduling/Budgeting
Business Process Redesign/reengineeringBusiness Process Redesign/reengineering
Industry KnowledgeIndustry Knowledge
Company KnowledgeCompany Knowledge
Project LeadershipProject Leadership
Systems AnalysisSystems Analysis
Managing Stakeholder ExpectationsManaging Stakeholder Expectations
User Relationship ManagementUser Relationship Management
Project Risk ManagementProject Risk Management
Systems DesignSystems Design
Change ManagementChange Management
Project IntegrationProject Integration
Capabilities Clients Source
ProgrammingProgramming
System TestingSystem Testing
Desktop Support/HelpdeskDesktop Support/Helpdesk
Systems DesignSystems Design
Systems AnalysisSystems Analysis
TelecommunicationsTelecommunications
Database DesignDatabase Design
Server HostingServer Hosting
OperationsOperations
Continuity/Disaster RecoveryContinuity/Disaster Recovery
IT Architecture and StandardsIT Architecture and Standards
Operating SystemsOperating Systems
Technical = orange Business Domain = blue Project Management = green
Phase one – Clients only – Critical TodayPhase one – Clients only – Critical Today
© ITWF Team
Mission Change for ITMission Change for IT
FromFromDelivering technology-based solutionsDelivering technology-based solutions
ToToManaging the process of delivering Managing the process of delivering
solutionssolutions
© ITWF Team
Phase 2 – Provider FirmsPhase 2 – Provider FirmsTotal in sample = 126
What capabilities do IT providers seek?Not internally, but rather to serve their
clientsLooking at the “other side” of the questionLooking at staffing and career patterns in the
providers around the world
How do provider responses compare to client responses?
© ITWF Team
Demographics of ProvidersDemographics of Providers
Geographical DistributionGeographical DistributionNorth & South AmericaNorth & South America 66%66%W. Europe, E. Europe/CISW. Europe, E. Europe/CIS 17%17%Australia, IndiaAustralia, India 16%16%
RevenueRevenueF500 >$3BF500 >$3B 14%14%Large $500M-$3BLarge $500M-$3B 15%15%SME <$500MSME <$500M 71%71%
© ITWF Team
Functional KnowledgeFunctional Knowledge
BPR/ReengineeringBPR/Reengineering
Company KnowledgeCompany Knowledge
Industry KnowledgeIndustry Knowledge
IT Architecture/StandardsIT Architecture/Standards
IT GovernanceIT Governance
Managing 3PPsManaging 3PPs
SecuritySecurity
User Relationship Mgmt.User Relationship Mgmt.
Change ManagementChange Management
CommunicationCommunication
Managing Stakeholder Managing Stakeholder ExpectationsExpectations
Sourcing StrategySourcing Strategy
Working GloballyWorking Globally
Virtual TeamsVirtual Teams
Industry KnowledgeIndustry Knowledge
IT Architecture/StandardsIT Architecture/Standards
BPR/ReengineeringBPR/Reengineering
CommunicationCommunication
Change ManagementChange Management
Managing 3PPsManaging 3PPs
Project Risk ManagementProject Risk Management
SecuritySecurity
Client Emerging SkillsClient Emerging Skills Provider Emerging SkillsProvider Emerging Skills
© ITWF Team
Match between Client and Provider Match between Client and Provider Emerging CapabilitiesEmerging Capabilities
Business DomainBusiness Domain Industry Knowledge BPR Change Management Communication
TechnicalTechnical IT Architecture & Standards Security
Project ManagementProject Management No exact matches
SourcingSourcing Managing 3PPs
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Client Declining SkillsClient Declining Skills Provider Declining SkillsProvider Declining Skills
ProgrammingProgramming
Desktop Support/Help Desktop Support/Help DeskDesk
OperationsOperations
Mainframe/LegacyMainframe/Legacy
Voice/Data TelecommVoice/Data Telecomm
Server HostingServer Hosting
Continuity/RecoveryContinuity/Recovery
DB Design/ManagementDB Design/Management
Operating SystemsOperating Systems
Systems TestingSystems Testing
Systems AnalysisSystems Analysis
Mainframe/LegacyMainframe/Legacy
ProgrammingProgramming
Desktop Support/Help Desktop Support/Help DeskDesk
Operating SystemsOperating Systems
Server HostingServer Hosting
OperationsOperations
CMM UtilizationCMM Utilization
Voice/Data TelecommVoice/Data Telecomm
Systems TestingSystems Testing
Contracting & LegalContracting & Legal
© ITWF Team
Client Critical SkillsClient Critical Skills Provider Critical SkillsProvider Critical Skills
Project PlanningProject Planning
Functional KnowledgeFunctional Knowledge
Company KnowledgeCompany Knowledge
BPR/ReengineeringBPR/Reengineering
Systems AnalysisSystems Analysis
Industry KnowledgeIndustry Knowledge
Project LeadershipProject Leadership
Project Risk ManagementProject Risk Management
Systems DesignSystems Design
Change ManagementChange Management
Managing 3PPsManaging 3PPs
Industry KnowledgeIndustry Knowledge
Project LeadershipProject Leadership
Project Risk ManagementProject Risk Management
Project PlanningProject Planning
Customer Relationship Customer Relationship Mgmt.Mgmt.
Functional KnowledgeFunctional Knowledge
IT Architecture/StandardsIT Architecture/Standards
User Relationship Mgmt.User Relationship Mgmt.
Systems AnalysisSystems Analysis
Working GloballyWorking Globally
Future Critical – 3 Years Hence
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Hiring PracticesHiring Practices
What is the marketplace demanding in our graduates?
Entry Level data for both clients and providers
Mid-level data for both clients and providers
Conclusions regarding requisite skills
© ITWF Team
Client Entry Level Client Entry Level Provider Entry Level
ProgrammingProgramming
Systems AnalysisSystems Analysis
Systems TestingSystems Testing
Systems DesignSystems Design
CommunicationCommunication
Support/Help DeskSupport/Help Desk
TelecommunicationTelecommunication
IT Architecture/StandardsIT Architecture/Standards
Database DesignDatabase Design
Industry KnowledgeIndustry Knowledge
Operating SystemsOperating Systems
Functional Process Functional Process KnowledgeKnowledge
ProgrammingProgramming
CommunicationCommunication
Systems TestingSystems Testing
Functional Process Functional Process KnowledgeKnowledge
Industry KnowledgeIndustry Knowledge
Project Plan/Bdgt/SchedProject Plan/Bdgt/Sched
Systems AnalysisSystems Analysis
Working w/Virtual TeamsWorking w/Virtual Teams
Support/Help DeskSupport/Help Desk
User Relationship Mgmt.User Relationship Mgmt.
Business Process Business Process Reengineering Reengineering
© ITWF Team
Entry-Level ObservationsEntry-Level Observations
Clients rank technical skills high in entry-level
hires
Softer skills are also emerging as important
SPs show a more balanced approach
Seek technical, project management and industry
knowledge
Other than the Project Management Skills, both
clients and SPs are seeking a mixture of
technical and business domain skills
© ITWF Team
Client Mid LevelClient Mid Level
Project Plan/Bdgt/SchedProject Plan/Bdgt/Sched
Project LeadershipProject Leadership
Functional Process Functional Process KnowledgeKnowledge
User Relationship Mgmt.User Relationship Mgmt.
Project Risk ManagementProject Risk Management
Industry KnowledgeIndustry Knowledge
Communication Communication
Systems AnalysisSystems Analysis
Systems DesignSystems Design
IT Architecture/StandardsIT Architecture/Standards
NegotiationsNegotiations
Business Process Business Process Reengineering Reengineering
Provider Mid LevelProvider Mid Level
Project Plan/Bdgt/SchedProject Plan/Bdgt/Sched
Project LeadershipProject Leadership
Project Risk ManagementProject Risk Management
User Relationship Mgmt.User Relationship Mgmt.
Systems AnalysisSystems Analysis
Systems DesignSystems Design
Industry KnowledgeIndustry Knowledge
NegotiationsNegotiations
Functional Process Functional Process KnowledgeKnowledge
Project IntegrationProject Integration
Working w/Virtual TeamsWorking w/Virtual Teams
CommunicationCommunication
Working GloballyWorking Globally
© ITWF Team
Mid-Level ObservationsMid-Level ObservationsClients and SPs much closer in requirements
Both showing need for project management
skills
Very different from entry-level
More closely aligned with critical skills
Important question is how do entry-level IT
workers develop mid-level skills
© ITWF Team
Skill Category Analysis Skill Category Analysis Developed from client data
Results six categories to date
Next step is to validate categories with
vendor data
Categories begin to provide a framework of
REQUISITE SKILLS for IT Workers
Developed using thematic analysis
Examined skill rankings across questions
© ITWF Team
Non-Technical Skills Critical in-house Critical in-house Sought in new hires Sought in new hires SourcedSourced
Project Management Skills
Project Leadership
Project Planning/Budgeting/Scheduling Project Integration/Program Management Project Risk Management
Problem/Opportunity Skills
Company Specific Knowledge Functional Area Process Knowledge Industry Knowledge Business Process Design/Re-engineering Change Management/Organizational Readiness
Relationship Skills
User Relationship Management Communications Negotiation Managing Stakeholder Expectations
© ITWF Team
Technical Skills Critical in-house Critical in-house Sought in new Sought in new hires hires
SourcedSourced
Foundational Skills
Programming Entry LevelEntry Level System Testing Entry LevelEntry Level Desktop Support/Helpdesk Entry LevelEntry Level Database Design/Management Entry LevelEntry Level Operating Systems Entry LevelEntry Level Voice/Data Telecommunications Entry LevelEntry Level
Operational Skills
Operations Service Hosting Continuity/Disaster Recovery Mainframe/Legacy
Essential Skills
Systems Analysis Systems Design IT Architecture/Standards
© ITWF Team
Technical SkillsFoundational Skills
Programming
System Testing
Desktop Support/Helpdesk
Database Design/Management
Operating Systems
Voice/Data Telecommunications
Operational Skills
Operations
Service Hosting
Continuity/Disaster Recovery
Mainframe/Legacy
Essential Skills
Systems Analysis
Systems Design
IT Architecture/Standards
Non-Technical SkillsProject Management Skills
Project Leadership
Project Planning/Budgeting/Scheduling
Project Integration/Program Management
Project Risk Management
Problem/Opportunity Skills
Company Specific Knowledge
Functional Area Process Knowledge
Industry Knowledge
Business Process Design/Re-engineering
Change Management/Organizational Readiness
Relationship Skills
User Relationship Management
Communications
Negotiation
Managing Stakeholder Expectations
© ITWF Team
IT Professionals Require a Requisite Set of SkillsIT Professionals Require a Requisite Set of Skills
All six categories are important to an IT
professional’s success
Professionals may choose to focus on a
particular category or group of categories
Need some competency in all six if they are
to grow in their career
Skills categories are interdependent
Not mutually exclusive or exhaustive
© ITWF Team
Missing Entry Level SkillsMissing Entry Level Skills
Industry KnowledgeIndustry Knowledge
Project LeadershipProject Leadership
NegotiationNegotiation
IT Architecture/StandardsIT Architecture/Standards
Company KnowledgeCompany Knowledge
Project Risk ManagementProject Risk Management
Managing 3PPsManaging 3PPs
User Relationship User Relationship ManagementManagement
BPR/ReengineeringBPR/Reengineering
Process KnowledgeProcess Knowledge
Managing Stakeholder Managing Stakeholder ExpectationsExpectations
5 are business domain4 are project mgmt
© ITWF Team
24IBM “Skills for the 21st Century”
© ITWF Team
Implications for Curriculum and HiringImplications for Curriculum and Hiring Marketplace – both clients and providers – demanding new
patterns of capabilities Universities should respond with curriculum adjustments
T-shaped people – 2 versions Deep technical and broad client-facing skills (Developers and
Specialists)
Deep client-facing skills and broad technical ones (Analysts and
Managers)
Need for client-facing skills is increasing especially in high
wage areas Project management
Communication
Business domain
© ITWF Team
How should firms respond?How should firms respond?
Clarify career paths for IT Clarify career paths for IT professionalsprofessionals
© ITWF Team
Overall Employment - 2Q2008Overall Employment - 2Q2008 Yearly
Occupation Employed Increase
Computer/IS Managers 488,000 9.9% Computer Scientists/Systems Analysts 848,500 13.4% Computer Programmers 528,300 -3.6% Computer Software Engineers 969,500 9.9% Computer Support Specialists 385,500 15.9% Database Administrators 98,000 -3.9%Network/Systems Administrators 230,800 21.4% Network Systems/DC Analysts 407,300 9.3%
Source: BLS, Eric Chabrow, CIO Insight
© ITWF Team
How Are Career Paths Defined for our young How Are Career Paths Defined for our young professionals?professionals?
A plethora of pathsTechnical
Computer science Systems Development Infrastructure Help Desk
Managerial Project Management Systems Analysis Requirements Analysis
Confusion!
© ITWF Team
What Education is Valuable in the Entry-Level What Education is Valuable in the Entry-Level Hiring Process?Hiring Process?
Computer Science undergraduate degreeIT undergraduate degreeMath undergraduate degreeMusicLiberal Arts…
More confusion!
© ITWF Team
What is the purpose of a career path?What is the purpose of a career path?
Laying out a logical progression for increasing
skills that are valuable to the organization
Providing growth opportunities for individuals
Making career opportunities visible to
employees
Why is this an issue in IT?
© ITWF Team
How should firms respond?How should firms respond?Define career paths for ITDefine career paths for IT
Create alternate career paths Entry Points examples
QA/Testing entry point for analysts Help Desk/Operations entry point for managers Programmers entry point for developers
Job rotation through functional areas
Recruit from multiple degreesRecruit from multiple degrees CS predominance is not warranted given skills mixBusiness school IS/IT degrees provide the T-shaped person
skills
© ITWF Team
Future Directions and IssuesFuture Directions and IssuesContinue data collection on a regular
basis to establish longitudinal data set
Examine the impact of the financial crisis
Work with industry to design career
pathsInclude salary implicationsMap with expectations of Generation ZAnticipate retention issues
© ITWF Team
What is the Future for the IT Professional?What is the Future for the IT Professional?
Globally Integrated Organizations
The T-Shaped Person – both versions
IT is still viable & valuable option for
careers
© ITWF Team
Christine Bullen, Stevens Institute of TechnologyKeith Frampton, The Marlo Group
Kevin Gallagher, Northern Kentucky UniversityTim Goles, Texas A&M International University
Steven Hawks, University of Wisconsin - ParksideKate Kaiser, Marquette University
Judith Simon, University of MemphisCynthia Beath, University of Texas - Austin