Complete thesis - Murdoch University

• the process of analysis is primarily cognitive in nature - all the other skills facilitatethis cognitive process.9.2.2 Practitioner perspective on competencyPractitioner studies have suggested that, assuming appropriate technical knowledge, formaleducation does not address their needs for competent professionals. This is borne out in thelocal context both in discussion between practitioners on the RE-online list (Zowghi, 2004)(excerpts of which are discussed in Chapter 2), and, even more locally, in the context of theSEF (Software Engineering Forum 1 ). The work described in this thesis has been the subjectof several meetings, most recently in September 2006, discussing issues in training competentRE practitioners.Competence in any domain requires, in addition to domain knowledge,physical skills – constituting physical expertise of the procedural tasks, including appropriatetool use. These, due to their external visibility, are seen as relatively easier toacquirecognitive skills – concerned with the cognitive processes of analysis, interpretation anddecision-making required for the carrying out of procedural tasks. Cognitive skillsrequire a more sophisticated learning process.Competence also assumes the ability to apply higher order thinking – this is a function ofthe interaction between cognitive strategies – to support and regulate the constructionof knowledge; metacognition – in particular strategic knowledge and domain-specificknowledge – pertinent to the problem situation. In its turn, higher order thinking is seen asaddressed, within learning taxonomies, at a post-foundational level (eg Bloom et al (1956)’slevels 4, 5 and 6), implying advanced learning.Another aspect of competency addresses the affective and generic attributes required bya discipline, including interpersonal and organisational skills and a capability for lifelonglearning.If we apply the Professional Capability Framework of Scott and Wilson (2002) what hasbeen identified as lacking in education for RE professionals are in the dimensions of Stance1 this is a group of invited SE practitioners and academics who meet monthly to discuss topics of interest,either from the industry perspective seeking academic input, or from the academic perspective seekingindustry input. The group operates under the umbrella of the ITEE College of Engineers Australia. Thepurpose of the ‘invitation only’ is to ensure no one group (or agenda) dominates393