Computer 'bible' sets out IT rules

It's a bible of biblical proportions.

The Computer Society's new code of practice offers hundreds of tips to guide IT professionals and organisations through situations and disciplines such as conflicts of interest, acting professionally and managing workloads.

The code advises professionals and businesses embarking on large-scale IT projects to ensure that they understand the requirement, scope, issues, constraints and risks of the project and constructively challenge their client if the requirement is unrealistic.

Large-scale IT projects have assumed a fearsome reputation in New Zealand following the public failure of the $107 million Incis police project in 1999.

IT industry group NZICT has embarked on a mission to improve the image of the industry, concerned that projects such as Incis had distorted public impressions of the sector.

Chief executive Brett O'Riley says it will look to develop a code of conduct for IT firms to complement the society's code, with an emphasis on best practices for interacting with clients, including government departments.

IT suppliers should "talk a lot more about outcomes and a lot less about technology" when dealing with customers, he says.

The society's code advises professionals to avoid technical jargon and express themselves clearly.

Advice ranges from encouraging people to "exercise a sense of social responsibility for the implications of your work" to the mundane.

People should "check that the layout of the training room provides trainees with visibility of the trainer and visual aids" when preparing training facilities.

Chief executive Paul Matthews says all those involved in IT should study the code.