TS 13167

TS 13167 is a professional standard for the system programmer occupation and for the professional who performs that work. It brings together the job definition, classification, the minimum tools, equipment and hardware used in practice, and the basic attributes expected from the role, together with how those attributes are measured and evaluated. In other words, it defines not just a title, but the technical and occupational shape of the role in the workplace.

What system programming means

System programming is the specialist area concerned with software that supports how computer systems operate. Unlike application software, it focuses on lower-level operating concerns such as operating systems, system utilities, resource management, user and access structures, performance monitoring, and system integrity. A system programmer helps ensure that software and hardware resources work together efficiently within an organisation’s computing environment.

What this standard covers in occupational terms

The core focus of this standard is the definition of the system programmer occupation and the minimum equipment needed to carry it out. It also includes how occupational qualities are to be measured and evaluated. In general technical terms, that implies capabilities such as analytical thinking, structured working methods, debugging-oriented problem solving, an understanding of software-hardware interaction, and the ability to adapt to changing system requirements.

• Definition and classification of the occupation
• Minimum tools, equipment and hardware needed for the job
• Measurement and evaluation of occupational attributes
• The professional framework of the system programmer role