Write up notes from our first expert workshop on the Capability challenge held on 16th May 2016

1. BCS Challenges: Capability
Workshop 1
16 May 2016

2. Good people, in the right role, as part of a good team, to
do good things for society
We want those making the decisions that affect all of us to do this with
knowledge of the impacts, and the right intentions.
We want them to be capable of turning those intentions into outcomes.
We want those employing or commissioning them to be able to do so
with trust.
We want a better environment for everyone as a result.
Mission Statement:

3. The ecosystem

4. The Systemic Approach
Do you agree with the
ecosystem we have
presented for the links
between individuals,
organisations and society?
Is our overarching
campaign message
effective and
representative of BCS’
overall mission and aims?
Change is a central
concept to the
Challenge, we need a
“Dynamic System” that
adapts and is sensitive to
the change
Size and Complexity of
Organisation.
Be mindful of different
approaches necessary
for different types and
scale of organisationOrganisations at the
heart of the model.
Organisations are the key
agency in delivering
tangible change to the
system

5. Key issues
Ethical Support –
support and enable
people to refuse to
undertake “improper
work”
Develop People over
time – support people
over time throughout the
duration of their careers
Good Person =
Ethical, Professional,
Accountable

6. Key issues
Realism –
Organisations need to
be more realistic about
what they expect from
the marketplace
Transient nature of Roles – Right
Role may be a better label, the
Role changes as the employee
develops their skills (SFIA) and
their role within an organisation
should be constantly adapting to
their ultimate user need
Multi-Dimensional –
Employers need to go
beyond “buzzwords of the
day” and recognise
transferable and
interpersonal skills

7. Key issues
Multi-Disciplinary
Teams – Recognition
that the IT team needs to
bring in other disciplines
to be fully functional
Diversity – Diversity should
not be just a tick box
exercise and recognition
necessary to demonstrate
why it ultimately helps deliver
the best outcome to the end
user
Investment over
time – Need to invest
time in allowing team
to grow together

8. Key issues
Outcome over Outputs –
Particularly in Central
Government, we need to
maintain focus on Outcome
over Outputs and actually
empower people and team to
work to these outcomes
Measures of Success –
Personal and
professional ethics go
beyond being law-
abiding
Project Management –
Focus on being on time
and in budget should not
cloud the ultimate
objective being to solve a
real world problem

9. Feedback on the day
This is how it looked!

10. What could BCS focus on?
Transforming
the existing
workforce
Ecosystem
for CPD
Research –
what makes a
Good IT team
Better defined
outcomes,
success criteria &
benefits
Champion
‘good’ –
compelling
human stories
The good we
can do, not
how good we
are
Social
impact
Recruitment
processes Diversity &
Inclusion
(ageism)
Accessibility
by Design
Organisationa
l Code of
Conduct?

11. What next?
• We’ll update the Challenge document and revisit the ecosystem model
based on feedback from today and circulate it to you for comment
• We’ll delve into what we’ve discovered today and plan a programme of
work and events
• Member engagement will be extended through our BCS Voices
programme
• We’ll keep you informed and invite you to participate and work with us
on future events in Capability
….and don’t forget to keep in touch – capability@bcs.uk