Spring semester.

Unit(s) of Assessment	Weighting Towards Module Mark( %)
2 hour unseen examination	50%
Initial Group Presentation of Business Case:   In groups, students will produce a business case to propose the implementation of an Information System to solve a business problem outlined in a case study.  The case study is based upon a real-life situation and is provided by an industrial guest lecturer.   Groups should present their draft solution to the set problem, outlining the options, chosen solution and financial analysis.   To address the following learning outcomes:   Relate the theory of organisational change to practice in order to demonstrate how systems can successfully be deployed.     Apply the principles of software development to the planning and implementation of technological change within an organisation.   Devise and deliver a business case for organisational change, incorporating technological solutions, costs, benefits and risks.   This initial presentation is provided to give feedback on the solutions the groups are developing.	5%
Final Group Presentation of Business Case:   Groups should present their solution to the set problem, outlining the options, chosen solution and financial analysis.   To address the following learning outcomes:   Relate the theory of organisational change to practice in order to demonstrate how systems can successfully be deployed.   Apply the principles of software development to the planning and implementation of technological change within an organisation.   Devise and deliver a business case for organisational change, incorporating technological solutions, costs, benefits and risks.   Following on from the initial presentation, this final presentation will be part-assessed by an industrial guest lecturer and should be approached as if pitching the solution to the chief executive of a company.	15%
Group Business Case:   The final business solution should be presented as a written business case.  This should include an executive summary, situational assessment, options, detailed solution, financial analysis, management strategy and summary.  Relevant details, including costs, benefits, risks and mitigation strategies should be included, with any additional detail provided in the appendix.   To address the following learning outcomes:   Relate the theory of organisational change to practice in order to demonstrate how systems can successfully be deployed.  Apply the principles of software development to the planning and implementation of technological change within an organisation.           Devise and deliver a business case for organisational change, incorporating technological solutions, costs, benefits and risks.   Following on from the two presentations, feedback should be used to put together the final solution.  The business case will be marked per group, but an individual portion of the marks will be assigned based on how well each student worked within the group.	30%
Qualifying Condition(s)    A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module.

An Information Systems (IS) is a system used to store and disseminate information within an organisation, whether automated or manual. With the advent of Information Technology (IT), the automation of these systems has had a significant impact on the way an organisation operates, from improvement in communication and processing, through to enabling new types of business, such as e-commerce. This module will explore the role of IT within organisations in order to understand how IT can be used to enhance IS. Starting with a brief introduction to organisational theory and strategy, the module will explore approaches to eliciting requirements for change, and strategies for planning and implementation. In particular, the module will use knowledge of the Systems Development Lifecycle to approach the capture of business requirements and planning for change, realised through the specification of a business case for a real-life case study. The business case will be developed and presented in groups, and will detail a proposed solution, including a full cost, benefit and risk analysis and financial comparison of options.

None.

The aim of this module is to relate knowledge of IT gained by students during their degree programme to how it can effectively be used to support and change organisations. At the end of the module, students should have an appreciation of how IT can be used in an organisation, and be able to propose how IT solutions can be specified and implemented

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• Describe the role of IT within an organisation.
• Recognise the need to understand how an organisation operates in order to effectively apply technology.
• Relate the theory of organisational change to practice in order to demonstrate how systems can successfully be deployed.
• Apply the principles of software development to the planning and implementation of technological change within an organisation.
• Evaluate strategies for successful organisational change.
• Devise and deliver a business case for organisational change, incorporating technological solutions, costs, benefits and risks.

• The module is divided into the following areas:
• Introduction
• Information Systems in Organisations:
  • Business processes and functions
  • Organisation types and strategy
  • Management and decision making
• Organisational Analysis and Change:
  • Organisational analysis
  • Organisational change
  • Service provision
• Planning and Managing Change:
  • Planning change
  • Finance of change
  • Managing change.

30 contact hours in weeks 1-10, consisting of: 

• 21 hours of lectures, including at least 3 hours of guest lectures from industrial representatives;
• 9 hours of example classes and seminars.
  

Required Reading :

Beynon-Davies, P. (2002).  Information Systems: An Introduction to Informatics in Organisations.  Basingstoke , UK.: Palgrave Macmillan Publishers Ltd.

http://www.palgrave.com/science/computing/beynon-davies2/students/.

Recommended Reading :

Laudon, K.C. & Laudon, J.P. (2004).  Management Information Systems, 8^th Edition.  Upper Saddle River, New Jersey : Prentice Hall International, Inc.

http://myphlip.pearsoncmg.com/cw/mpbookhome.cfm?vbookid=486.

Whiteley, D. (2004).  Introduction to Information Systems: Organisations, Applications, Technology and Design.  Basingstoke , UK.: Palgrave Macmillan Publishers Ltd.

http://www.palgrave.com/science/computing/whiteley/students.htm.

Other Relevant Sources:

Laudon, K.C. & Laudon, J.P. (2004).  Essentials of Management Information Systems: Managing the Digital Firm, 6^th Edition.  Upper Saddle River, New Jersey : Prentice Hall International, Inc.

18 August 2008