New classifications and future trends for computer specialists

The need for a standardized classification system for computer specialists has become increasingly apparent in recent years for those in government, industry, and academia. Rapid growth in the field of computers and high technology has resulted in a proliferation of computer specialities occupations. Unfortunately, occupational titles in the field are not well-defined and job descriptions have not kept pace with the expansion. In response to the need for more comprehensive and compatible data, the Division of Science Resources Studies (SRS) of the National Science Foundation (NSF), sponsored a study by the American Federation of Information Processing Societies (AFIPS) for development of an expanded taxonomy of computer specialist occupations. The resultant taxonomy provides a contemporary, standardized set of classifications and definitions.Other government agencies, besides NSF, such as the Department of Labor and Department of Commerce, which use standardized sets of occupational categories, are interested in the taxonomy. For the principal system in use by Federal agencies, the Standard Occupational Classification (SOC), which was last updated in 1980 and which covers the entire United States work force, does not contain extensive detail in the important area of computer occupations. Members of these Federal agencies, along with computer specialists from industry, academia, and Federal laboratories served on an Advisory Panel to AFIPS throughout the development of the new taxonomy. In addition, staff work, field surveys and preparation of the final report were conducted by Edward Perlin Associates, management consultants with expertise in the data processing industry. The project was conducted in the following stages: Research of existing sources and analysis of target populationsDevelopment of an initial taxonomy and establishment of survey proceduresEstablishment of an initial taxonomy/questionnaire and selection of pretest and survey participantsPretest of the taxonomy and revision of the initial taxonomySurvey of public and private sector representativesData analysis and summarizationThe new classification system developed in the process outlined above meets NSF's needs in that it is easy to understand and use, functional in providing accurate data on actual jobs in the economy, flexible to allow for future modifications, more complete than existing taxonomies and consistent in design with other taxonomies currently used by NSF.While the taxonomy has been systematically evaluated by the Advisory Panel and other experts in the field, any new classification system must be scientifically validated before it can be implemented into the Foundation's large-scale statistical surveys. The NSF staff, therefore, are currently developing tests of validation for the taxonomy. Once completed, the new taxonomy will be included in the Division of Science Resources Studies' survey questionnaires. These instruments are used to collect the data from which the numbers and characteristics of the Nation's scientific and engineering labor force are produced.As to the future, occupational trends in the computer field are no easier to project today than they were ten years ago. Scenarios regarding emerging computer occupational specialties will be explored, as they develop, with particular emphasis on the impact of advanced - generation languages and telecommunications. The ability of the newly-developed computer specialities occupational taxonomy to accommodate these changes will be a matter of continual interest.These are the topics that will be discussed during the Panel session “New Classifications and Future Trends for Computer Specialists.”