Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
an explicit objective “ to provide leadership in industry, government and
trade and regulatory associations ” (British Computer Society n.d.b). It
therefore appears that there is a readiness on the part of the BCS to engage
with the kind of change which would result in more successful ICT devel-
opments. Its objective to 'Encourage creativity' also has important rele-
vance for a change process where new ideas and new ways of doing things
will be key to success. One more piece of evidence of the preparedness of
the IT professionals represented by the BCS to fully engage in achieving
the proposed shift is the existence of the BCS Sociotechnical Specialist
Group. This group is concerned with human and organizational issues that
arise in developing, implementing, using and evaluating information sys-
tems and in the wider use of ICTs. The aims of the group are to integrate
the social and technical aspects of ICTs, and of systems more generally,
and to promote sociotechnical principles, methods and ways of thinking.
The BCS Sociotechnical Group promotes the view that in developing, us-
ing and studying ICT systems, it is essential to give due weight to both
social and technical factors.
Since IT professionals are such key stakeholders in ICT developments
they are of course well positioned to support and encourage the engage-
ment of citizens at all stages of design decision making. Many will be well
placed to be influential role models by engaging with citizens/users them-
selves and following good practice to achieve a good experience of par-
ticipation and worthwhile outcomes.
10.3.4 Starting the Dialogue
Identification of some of the key players to engage in debating the issues
and possibilities associated with the major change proposed is a first step
towards planning action. The next consideration is how to begin a dialogue
on the merits of the case for achieving a shift in the focus of ICT design.
The initial task here is to persuade a number of influential individuals that
there is a worthwhile issue to consider in some depth and in an informed
consultation. To this end, we hope we have developed through the course
of this topic a sufficiently convincing case for a sociotechnical focus of
ICT design and associated participation/engagement of citizens/users. In
particular we hope we have convinced our readers that there is real value
and benefit to derive from enabling citizens to inform ICT design decisions
that profoundly affect their lives.
Assuming there is a nucleus of interested relevant parties, the next step
is to decide how to host and conduct such a consultation. There are excel-
lent precedents for creating the 'spark' which ignites a process of systemic
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