The Operative Professional is a public law higher professional qualification in the German education system and forms the second career level of the IHK professional qualification track, it is meant to be an alternative to an academic bachelor. This advanced training prepares the trainee for accountability of middle management and so the Operative Professional has extended know how and responsibility.

Within the European Qualifications Framework the Operative Professional lies at Level 6. Unlike a real bachelor degree, it is not part of the academic qualification track, but the professional qualification track and thus does not qualify the holder for masters studies. It does, however, enable access to bachelor studies at a technical college or university.

They design technical optimised IT solutions in line with the market. They plan, manage and monitor IT development projects and take part in the leadership of employees.

They lead independently and self-dependent IT projects. They are responsible for specific aims like chronological, financial, and human resources. They take part in the leadership of employees.

They counsel companies in questions of analysis, definition of aims, development and implementation of IT concepts. They consolidate the company by finding potential for development, helping to be competitive and expanding business opportunities. They also take part in the leadership of employees.

They supply technically optimised market-conform IT solutions, lead the marketing and purchasing of IT products and IT services. They support the company decisions with strategic information in trading and economical terms. They take part in the leadership of employees.

For the further education “Operative Professional” you need the following requirements (§2 IT-RVO).

The qualification of IT-specialists is separated into 14 profiles. You find these profiles in the IT-Fortbildungsverordnung^{[clarification needed]}.