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Computer and Information Systems Managers

Description

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as electronic data processing, information systems, systems analysis, and computer programming.

Tasks

  • Review project plans to plan and coordinate project activity.
  • Manage backup, security and user help systems.
  • Develop and interpret organizational goals, policies, and procedures.
  • Develop computer information resources, providing for data security and control, strategic computing, and disaster recovery.
  • Consult with users, management, vendors, and technicians to assess computing needs and system requirements.
  • Stay abreast of advances in technology.
  • Meet with department heads, managers, supervisors, vendors, and others, to solicit cooperation and resolve problems.
  • Provide users with technical support for computer problems.
  • Recruit, hire, train and supervise staff, or participate in staffing decisions.
  • Evaluate data processing proposals to assess project feasibility and requirements.
  • Control operational budget and expenditures.
  • Review and approve all systems charts and programs prior to their implementation.
  • Direct daily operations of department, analyzing workflow, establishing priorities, developing standards and setting deadlines.
  • Assign and review the work of systems analysts, programmers, and other computer-related workers.
  • Evaluate the organization's technology use and needs and recommend improvements, such as hardware and software upgrades.
  • Prepare and review operational reports or project progress reports.
  • Purchase necessary equipment.

Knowledge

Computers and Electronics
Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Administration and Management
Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
Mathematics
Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Clerical
Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
Telecommunications
Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
Personnel and Human Resources
Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labor relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems.

Skills

Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Systems Evaluation
Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.
Monitoring
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Writing
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Active Learning
Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Abilities

Oral Expression
The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Oral Comprehension
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Written Comprehension
The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
Written Expression
The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
Problem Sensitivity
The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
Deductive Reasoning
The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
Inductive Reasoning
The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).

Work Activities

Interacting With Computers
Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
Thinking Creatively
Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
Analyzing Data or Information
Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
Making Decisions and Solving Problems
Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Getting Information
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates
Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
Coaching and Developing Others
Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
Developing and Building Teams
Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.

Work Context

Electronic Mail
How often do you use electronic mail in this job?
Telephone
How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?
Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
How often does this job require working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions?
Structured versus Unstructured Work
To what extent is this job structured for the worker, rather than allowing the worker to determine tasks, priorities, and goals?
Contact With Others
How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?
Work With Work Group or Team
How important is it to work with others in a group or team in this job?
Freedom to Make Decisions
How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer?
Spend Time Sitting
How much does this job require sitting?
Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results
How do the decisions an employee makes impact the results of co-workers, clients or the company?
Responsibility for Outcomes and Results
How responsible is the worker for work outcomes and results of other workers?

Interests

Enterprising
Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
Conventional
Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
Investigative
Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
Realistic
Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
Artistic
Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
Social
Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.

Work Style

Integrity
Job requires being honest and ethical.
Dependability
Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Adaptability/Flexibility
Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
Attention to Detail
Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Cooperation
Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Analytical Thinking
Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
Independence
Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
Leadership
Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.
Concern for Others
Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
Initiative
Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.

Work Values

Working Conditions
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
Support
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
Achievement
Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
Recognition
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.
Independence
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
Relationships
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.

Related Occupations

Lay Titles

Business Analyst
Business Intelligence Systems Manager
Chief Information Officer
Chief Technical Officer
Chief Technology Officer (CTO)
Computer Operations Manager
Computer Programming Manager
Computer Project Manager
Computer Systems Director of Information
Computing Services Director
Data Center Manager
Data Processing Manager
Data Systems Manager
Data Warehouse Architect
Database Development and Administration Project Manager
Director of Application Development
Director of Data Operations
Director of Information Technology
Director of Network
Director of Technology
Document Control Specialist
Enterprise Integration Manager
Enterprise Resource Planner
Financial Engineer
Head of Computer Operations/Technical Services
Head of Information Systems and Data Processing
Head of Systems Applications Programming
Health Information Administrator
Health Information Technologist
Information Security Manager
Information Services Manager
Information Support Project Manager
Information Systems Administrator
Information Systems Director (IS Director)
Information Systems Manager (IS Manager)
Information Systems Planner
Information Systems Supervisor (IS Supervisor)
Information Technology Administrator (IT Administrator)
Information Technology Analyst (IT Analyst)
Information Technology Consultant (IT Consultant)
Information Technology Coordinator (IT Coordinator)
Information Technology Director (IT Director)
Information Technology Manager (IT Manager)
Information Technology Planning and Policy Analyst
Information Technology Project Manager
Information Technology Specialist (IT Specialist)
Information Technology Systems Director (ITS Director)
Interactive Media Project Manager
Internet and E-Business Project Manager
Internet Technology Manager
IT Account Manager (Information Technology Account Manager)
IT Auditor (Information Technology Auditor)
IT Program Management Specialist (Information Technology Program Management Specialist)
Knowledge Manager
Management Information Systems Coordinator (MIS Coordinator)
MIS Director (Management Information Systems Director)
MIS Manager (Management Information Systems Manager)
MIS Specialist (Management Information Systems Specialist)
Network Manager
Network Services and Operations Project Manager
Network Software Manager
Network Support Manager
Networking Administrator
Planning or Project Management Information Technology Specialist
Programming and Software Development Project Manager
Programming Manager
Project or Systems Management Computer Consultant
Quality Assurance Manager (QA Manager)
Reporting Analyst
Software Project Manager
Supervisory Information Technology Specialist (Supervisory IT Specialist)
System Development Manager
Systems Administrator
Systems Development Manager
Systems Manager

National Wages and Employment Info

Median Wages (2008):
$58.15 hourly, $120,950 annual.
Employment (2008):
309,740 employees