ACS Pushes Higher Professional Standards in ICT Industry

Wednesday 5 June 2002 - The Australian Computer Society has called for higher professional standards in the information and communications technology (ICT) industry in a bid to lift the industry's reputation and improve customer satisfaction.

ACS Chief Executive Dennis Furini told the Annual Conference of the IT Service Management Forum in Sydney today that lack of adherence to standards meant a high proportion of projects continued to run late, go over budget, or fail to deliver promised functionality.

"Everyone talks about the need for technology investments to be driven by the business needs, but our industry has a bad reputation for not delivering on its promises," he said.

As the professional society for those working in the ICT industry, the ACS has a mission to advance professional excellence in IT by promoting, developing and monitoring competence in the practice of IT amongst its members and other ICT professionals. It does this by enforcing professional standards for ICT knowledge, skills, professional conduct and ethics, as well as encouraging an on-going commitment to continued training and development.

"According to a study of 30,000 IT projects by The Standish Group, 75 per cent of software development projects during the Internet era either failed, suffered from cost or time overruns or didn't meet customer expectations," said Mr Furini.

"One of the positive outcomes of the "tech wreck" and the subsequent economic downturn has been a stronger focus on business benefits and more careful monitoring of ICT expenditure by business.

"The ACS is working with its members and across the industry to increase awareness of the need for professional standards through professional development, a recognised core body of knowledge and enforceable Codes of Professional Conduct and Ethics.

"An industry-wide commitment to professionalism is the only way to run the cowboys out of town," Mr Furini told delegates. "That means not only that individuals must aspire to professional qualifications and knowledge, but that business and industry must demand that level of professionalism from their ICT practitioners."

Mr Furini said that for the ICT industry to finally cast off its reputation of not delivering on its promises, ICT professionals must demonstrate not only ICT skills, but a clear understanding of related business disciplines and communicate more effectively with customers, colleagues and management.

"Equally important is the commitment to abide by the ACS Code of Ethics, to promote standards when speaking and networking with peers, and to give something back to the community," he said.

This media release is available on the ACS Web site at http://www.acs.org.au/news/050602.htm

ENDS

About the Australian Computer Society: The ACS is the recognised association for information technology (IT) professionals, attracting a large and active membership from all levels of the IT industry and providing a wide range of services to its 16,000+ members. A member of the Australian Council of Professions, the ACS is the public voice of the IT profession and the guardian of professional ethics and standards in the IT industry, with a commitment to the wider community to ensure the beneficial use of IT. See the ACS Home Page for more information.

Media Enquiries:

Dennis Furini, ACS Chief Executive, Tel: (02) 9299 3666 or (0418) 963 980, Email: dennis.furini@acslink.net.au

Caroline New, Caroline New PR, Tel: (02) 9555 1986 or (0411) 889 456, Email: cnew@acslink.net.au