Canada NewsWire

Attention News/Technology/Business Editors:

What's in a Name? Tech Sector battles Engineers on "software engineering"

TORONTO, June 11 /CNW/ - The professional engineers, in their on-going
dispute over use of the term, "software engineering," could restrict the
design and creation of software systems to licensed engineers. This puts
thousands of jobs at stake for information technology (IT) professionals, many
of whom are involved in software development, says the Canadian Information
Processing Society (CIPS). According to Statistics Canada, there are
approximately 469,100 information and communications technology workers
employed in Canada.(1)

CIPS, the association representing IT professionals, is urging the
Canadian Council of Professional Engineers (CCPE) to work amicably with the IT
community in resolving the dispute over the usage and practice of "software
engineering." CCPE has threatened to take legal action against those they
declare are practicing "software engineering" without a license because it
claims that "software engineering" is a branch of engineering and not computer
science.

"This is not true. Not only is "software engineering" not exclusively in
engineering, it originated in computer science and developed connections to
engineering only much later. Clearly, the consequences of strictly enforcing
the practice of "software engineering" to only licensed engineers would be
disastrous," said Paul Bassett, I.S.P., CIPS Spokesperson. "Legally enforced
measures could harm the public by excluding vital software systems expertise
and skills that thousands of IT professionals possess."

CIPS is defending the rights of "software engineers" through lobbying
efforts to the government and the IT community. It recently published a
position paper with recommendations on how to make a lasting resolution to the
"software engineering" issue.

"We need in Canada what other countries are doing to solve this dispute
between engineers and IT professionals. In Australia, for example, the
Australian Computer Society and the Institution of Engineers have set up a
joint Software Engineering Board that overseas the awarding of software
engineering degrees," said Bassett. "CIPS encourages IT professionals and
engineers to share "software engineering" programs wherever possible. It can
only be a 'win-win' for both parties in the end."
Software engineers design, construct and evolve software systems. To
date, there is no commonly accepted body of knowledge for the practice of
"software engineering." Until such a body of knowledge is developed and shown
to be essential for competent practice in the field, imposing legal
restrictions on software developers is counterproductive.

A copy of CIPS's recent position paper on "software engineering" can be
found on the CIPS national web site: http://www.cips.ca/it/position/softeng.

Founded in 1958, CIPS is Canada's association of IT professionals
representing the interests of IT professionals to industry and government.
Through the volunteer efforts of its members, CIPS is involved in a number of
initiatives relating to setting standards within the IT profession and
assisting its community. I.S.P., Information Systems Professional, is a CIPS-
administered designation awarded to IT professionals who have met the required
education and industry experience and have demonstrated a commitment to
professional ethics and standards of conduct.

1 Information and Communications Technologies in Canada: A Statistical
Profile of the ICT Sector. (2001, December) Statistics Canada, 15.

-30-

For further information: Mylene Sayo, Public Relations, CIPS National

Office, Phone: (905) 602-1370 ext. 23 or Cellular: (416) 931-0879