Module Descriptors
STRATEGIC PLANNING AND SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT (E-LEARNING)
XCOM71115
Key Facts
Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Sciences
Level 7
15 credits
Hours of Study
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities: 12
Independent Study Hours: 138
Total Learning Hours: 150
Assessment
- ASSIGNMENT weighted at 50%
- ASSIGNMENT - SECOND ASSIGNMENT weighted at 50%
Module Details
Module Learning Strategies
The module will look at IT and Business taking both research and commercial perspectives. To this end the module will base itself taking a theoretical approach to learning. Lectures will be used as orientation for the students study in that the assessments will be introduced as will an overview of topics and material given. The student is then expected early on in the module to use the material given on Blackboard and explore this further with provided research papers and personal research. Such an approach is essential for the case study and research paper aspects of the assignment. Throughout a forum will be used to discuss and share ideas as will regular seminar opportunities. In development of the case study assignment this will also involve tutor and student review part way through the module.
Online material such as lectures and business based reports and reviews will be made available to the student before lecture sessions so that the student can build up knowledge before attending.
Online material such as lectures and business based reports and reviews will be made available to the student before lecture sessions so that the student can build up knowledge before attending.
Module Additional Assessment Details
An ASSIGMT weighted at 50%. An ASSIGMT weighted at 50%.
An assignment weighted at 50%. (Learning outcomes 2 and 3). The assignment will take the form of a research paper. The objective of the research paper is to allow students to enlarge their experience of the subject by
selecting one topic, from a prescribed range of topics and exploring it in depth, reporting their findings in a technical paper. This work will normally require the search of appropriate information sources (e.g. journals, research papers, books, hardware and software), the collation and critique of ideas found therein, and the development of conclusions. Students will be expected to view their topic from a variety of perspectives and will be particularly encouraged to relate it to the context of practising designers working on real-world problems. The final report should be written at the level of a Postgraduate research paper.
An assignment weighted at 50%. (Learning outcomes 1 and 4).
The coursework is an individual piece of work that will be based on a case study. This work will normally require the search of appropriate information sources, collation and critique of ideas found therein and the development of conclusions. To help students online research papers will be provided at the start of the module on Blackboard.
An assignment weighted at 50%. (Learning outcomes 2 and 3). The assignment will take the form of a research paper. The objective of the research paper is to allow students to enlarge their experience of the subject by
selecting one topic, from a prescribed range of topics and exploring it in depth, reporting their findings in a technical paper. This work will normally require the search of appropriate information sources (e.g. journals, research papers, books, hardware and software), the collation and critique of ideas found therein, and the development of conclusions. Students will be expected to view their topic from a variety of perspectives and will be particularly encouraged to relate it to the context of practising designers working on real-world problems. The final report should be written at the level of a Postgraduate research paper.
An assignment weighted at 50%. (Learning outcomes 1 and 4).
The coursework is an individual piece of work that will be based on a case study. This work will normally require the search of appropriate information sources, collation and critique of ideas found therein and the development of conclusions. To help students online research papers will be provided at the start of the module on Blackboard.
Module Indicative Content
The changing role of IT in business: Categories and 'eras' of IS/IT application. Models of IT development and of IT planning.
The strategic impact IS/IT on businesses.
Techniques for managing the IS application portfolio and planning the IT infrastructure.
Identifying business opportunities for IS/IT: Business analysis methods, value chain and competition models of IT use.
Developing strategic thrusts and implementing IT mechanisms.
Achieving business benefits for IS/IT: Categories of benefit and techniques for assessing and maximising benefits at the operational and strategic levels.
Business transformation through IT.
An overview of system paradigms and system development methods and the investigation of alternative system possibilities.
The strategic impact IS/IT on businesses.
Techniques for managing the IS application portfolio and planning the IT infrastructure.
Identifying business opportunities for IS/IT: Business analysis methods, value chain and competition models of IT use.
Developing strategic thrusts and implementing IT mechanisms.
Achieving business benefits for IS/IT: Categories of benefit and techniques for assessing and maximising benefits at the operational and strategic levels.
Business transformation through IT.
An overview of system paradigms and system development methods and the investigation of alternative system possibilities.
Module Texts
Core Texts
Strategic Planning for Information Systems, 3rd Edition, Ward J and Peppard J, 2002, Wiley, ISBN: 0470841478
The Ward and Peppard core text is also available as an e-book.
Recommended and Background Reading
Information Systems Development, Avison D and Fitzgerald G, 2003, McGraw Hill, ISBN: 0077096266
Competitive Advantage Through IT, Callon J D, 1996, McGraw Hill, ISBN: 0071141065
Management Strategies for IT, Earl M J, 1989, Printice Hall International, ISBN: 0135516560
Strategy and the Internet, Porter M E, March 2001, Harvard Business Review, pages 63-78
Developing Web Information Systems, Vidgen et. al. 2002, Butterworth Heinemann, ISBN: 0750657634
Additional reading materials will be provided in your course pack where appropriate.
Strategic Planning for Information Systems, 3rd Edition, Ward J and Peppard J, 2002, Wiley, ISBN: 0470841478
The Ward and Peppard core text is also available as an e-book.
Recommended and Background Reading
Information Systems Development, Avison D and Fitzgerald G, 2003, McGraw Hill, ISBN: 0077096266
Competitive Advantage Through IT, Callon J D, 1996, McGraw Hill, ISBN: 0071141065
Management Strategies for IT, Earl M J, 1989, Printice Hall International, ISBN: 0135516560
Strategy and the Internet, Porter M E, March 2001, Harvard Business Review, pages 63-78
Developing Web Information Systems, Vidgen et. al. 2002, Butterworth Heinemann, ISBN: 0750657634
Additional reading materials will be provided in your course pack where appropriate.
Module Resources
Material on Blackboard
Case study materials
Research papers
Staffordshire University has subscriptions to electronic book services such as Safari Tech Books, Ebrary and Netlibrary. There are titles in each of the collections that will support students studying computer science. Staffordshire University has subscriptions to IEEExplore, ACM Digital Library, Elsevier Science Direct and Infotrac Computer Database all offering full text electronic access to journals and conference proceedings.
Case study materials
Research papers
Staffordshire University has subscriptions to electronic book services such as Safari Tech Books, Ebrary and Netlibrary. There are titles in each of the collections that will support students studying computer science. Staffordshire University has subscriptions to IEEExplore, ACM Digital Library, Elsevier Science Direct and Infotrac Computer Database all offering full text electronic access to journals and conference proceedings.
Module Special Admissions Requirements
None