ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the way computer use has modified the job requirements and roles of particular specialist staff. Changes are manifest in roles and operational ability and the growth of new specialisms. The growth of planning and advisory functions can be seen particularly clearly amongst professional staff such as accountants, statisticians, planners and quantity surveyors. Various techniques using computers have been developed to assist in survey analysis, mathematical modelling, population projection and mapping. The use of computers has added to the capabilities of many groups of staff in terms of quantity and speed of output. Computers have not simply modified existing roles, in the ways just described; they have also helped to introduce wholly new occupations into the public services. Many of the public services have introduced new occupational groups which depend on computer power for their success, both in former general management areas and in professional work areas.
