 Chapter XVIII Creativity and Control in IT Professionals’ Communities Agnieszka Postuła Uniwersytet Warszawski, Poland Copyright © 2009, IGI Global, distributing in print or electronic forms without written permission of IGI Global is prohibited. AbstRAct This chapter presents and discusses two factors – creativity and control – which correspond to every organizational reality. IT specialists’ professional communities are used as an example because of char- acteristic relationships between their members and their attitude to work. The chapter describes how combination of these two phenomena may build or destroy organizations. There is also an explanation of specifc relations between IT professionals and beginning of further discussion based on these rela- tionships, as well as analysis of consequences of inappropriate management practices. Creativity and control are presented as features of every common company with their special roles in organization. Also, main characteristics of well-organized practical communities are shown. IntRoductIon The reason why IT specialists were chosen as the best example of the main topic of this ar- ticle seems quite obvious. Every IT specialist – regardless of certain specialization – should present at least a bit of creativity in his work. IT specializations are based on scientifc knowledge developed during processes of creating and innovating. Interviewees mentioned that their work may be compared to some kind of artistic activity with regard to a need of creating skills, open minded state and improvisation. However, IT professionals are ascribed in a certain reality – different organizations operating in various branches. They are embedded in complicated