21222 Information systems specialists

What this occupation covers

Information systems specialists analyze, test and assess systems requirements, develop and implement information systems development plans, policies and procedures, and provide advice on a wide range of information systems issues. They are employed in information technology consulting firms and in information technology units throughout the public and private sectors, or they may be self-employed.

Official main duties

The NOC profile lists 7 main duties for this code.

• Design, develop, test, implement and oversee IT systems
• Collect and analyze data to identify areas for improvement within an organization's IT infrastructure
• Review existing IT systems and internal processes
• Develop, implement and apply policies and procedures throughout the software development life cycle to maximize the efficiency, effectiveness and overall quality of software products and information systems, and to ensure that all systems and processes meet organization standards and user requirements
• Develop quality assurance procedures and tests for the development and improvement of new and existing systems
• Identify, analyze and document discrepancies and ensure that appropriate adjustments are made
• Perform preventive maintenance tasks on computer systems.

Do not copy these lines into your reference letter. The letter has to describe what you actually did, in your employer’s words. DUTYPROOF flags wording lifted from the NOC as something to review, and an officer reading a letter that mirrors the NOC reads it the same way.

What DUTYPROOF screens for

This is DUTYPROOF’s screening threshold, not IRCC’s decision. For this NOC, screening requires at least 2 of its 7 official duties to be evidenced in your own words, plus the required letter elements. IRCC asks that you performed the actions in the occupation’s lead statement and a substantial number of its main duties — so treat the duty coverage as the number that matters, not the badge.

Codes this one is confused with

The NOC profile names these itself. Choosing the wrong code of a look-alike pair is the most common way genuine work experience fails to establish eligibility.

• 20012 Computer and information systems managers
• 21311 Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers)
• 21230 Computer systems developers and programmers
• 21211 Data scientists
• 21223 Database analysts and data administrators
• 11100 Financial auditors and accountants
• 11201 Professional occupations in business management consulting
• 21232 Software developers and programmers
• 21231 Software engineers and designers
• 21233 Web designers
• 21234 Web developers and programmers

Excluded from this code

• Computer and information systems managers (See 20012 Computer and information systems managers)
• Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers) (See 21311 Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers))
• Computer systems developers and programmers (See 21230 Computer systems developers and programmers)
• Data scientists (See 21211 Data scientists)
• Database analysts and data administrators (See 21223 Database analysts and data administrators)
• Financial auditors and accountants (See 11100 Financial auditors and accountants)
• Professional occupations in business management consulting (See 11201 Professional occupations in business management consulting)
• Software developers and programmers (See 21232 Software developers and programmers)
• Software engineers and designers (See 21231 Software engineers and designers)
• Web designers (See 21233 Web designers)
• Web developers and programmers (See 21234 Web developers and programmers)

Job titles filed under this code

A title on this list does not by itself put your experience in this code — the duties in your letter decide that.

applications analyst - computer systems · cloud service management specialist · computer analyst · computer consultant · computer simulations analyst · computer systems analyst · computer systems development coordinator · data processing consultant · electronic data processing (EDP) auditor · enterprise architect - information technology (IT) · informatics applications analyst · informatics consultant · informatics quality assurance (QA) analyst · information systems analyst - computer systems · information systems contingency planner · information systems quality assurance (QA) analyst · information technology (IT) analyst · information technology (IT) auditor · information technology (IT) consultant · information technology (IT) consulting account manager · information technology (IT) engineer · information technology (IT) operations analyst · information technology (IT) project manager · information technology (IT) specialist

Employment requirements

• A bachelor's degree in computer science, computer systems engineering, software engineering, business administration or a related discipline or completion of a college program in computer science is usually required.
• Experience as a computer programmer is usually required.
• Certification or training provided by software vendors may be required by some employers.
• A professional certification such as Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA), Certified Information Security Manager (CISM), Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) or another related information technology (IT) designation.