IT professionals in demand are those with broad business/project/change knowledge where they can apply wide- ranging skill-set

25 January 2012

I believe this statement to be true and in fact parallels can be drawn from not just within the IT profession but across the whole of industry. From our earliest learning experiences at nursery or primary school we are all taught the basics in one or two main subjects; as we become more familiar with the concepts we are given more challenging tasks that are built on the early foundations.

The same can be said for IT professionals when they enter the corporate world. A capable line manager or trainer knows that you do not burden even the brightest of new recruits with too much information as they run the risk of information overload; based on the individuals learning style you design a programme that enforces the basics in the key areas in one of the main areas of IT; development, infrastructure, support or projects. As the individual becomes more competent you add more concepts within their core skill area. As the core skill is mastered the individual has a choice of whether to become a niche professional in this competency or to use the solid foundation and branch out into one or more new areas.

There are risks and benefits associated with both career paths.

The niche specialist can add real value and add in-depth technical knowledge to their company but does risk becoming obsolete with the advent of new technologies take for an example PICK programming or AS400 these are now outmoded languages and the individual has to go back to basics and start over in a new discipline.

The argument against the generalist that is currently en vogue is that they risk becoming a jack of all trades and master of none. I disagree with this as if the individual is agile in their thinking and learning it is possible to become, if not a subject matter expert in all disciplines at least to be well extremely well informed on a range of subjects. This person can add more value across the business and not be one dimensional and subject to tidal changes that sometimes sweep across IT.

In conclusion I believe there is a place for the generalist and the niche professional within IT. However the generalist has more to add across the business as all of their eggs are not in the one proverbial basket. Their skills are more attractive to future employers and under their tutelage new recruits can become the next generation of well rounded professionals. There is a symbiotic relationship that can work in all businesses where the generalist can draw upon the comprehensive knowledgebase of the niche and the niche can gain an understanding of business impact outside their bubble.

Lee Brook

Principal Consultant

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