The turnover issue in EDP personnel

The data processing professional is a valued asset in every established computer facility. The critical shortage experienced by many installaticns has been attributed to the increase in the demand for qualified data processing persons and a high degree of turnover. While demand is generally related to the steady increase in the number of computers installed, turnover is a unique issue. It is a major factor contributing to the rise in EDP personnel costs. Poor system maintenance and documentation are often the result of frequent changes in personnel. Thus, turnover as a multifaceted issue, warrants serious study. What causes turnover among EDP personnel? What are the indicators of turnover? These and other questions can only be answered in the context of a controlled setting, using objective criteria. The objective of this panel is to (1) review the empirical literature that addresses the turnover issue in EDP personnel, (2) investigate the causes and incidence of turnover based in part on the panelists' experience in their respective organizations, and (3)suggest guidelines for stabilizing analysts and programmers at work. Preliminary findings of a recent empirical study of turnover in the MIS division of two major industries will be reviewed.