Module Information
Course Delivery
Delivery Type | Delivery length / details |
---|---|
Other | Delivered by open learing |
Seminars / Tutorials | Introductory tutorial, with further two tutorials, one for each assignment |
Assessment
Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
---|---|---|
Semester Assessment | Coursework report 2,500 word essay equivalent | 50% |
Semester Assessment | Coursework report 2,500 word essay equivalent | 50% |
Supplementary Assessment | Resubmission of failed element(s) of coursework |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
- describe and apply techniques for identifying the strategic impact of information technology on an organisation;
* describe how the costs and benefits of an information technology or information systems investment should be appraised ;
* explain the development of soft and participative methodologies;
* select and apply appropriate soft systems techniques;
* discuss and define approaches to business process modelling;
* apply business process modelling techniques and diagrams to a business problem;
* explain the rationale for structured systems approaches and development of object oriented analysis;
* formulate and draw a range of UML diagrams, and structured systems diagrams;
* discuss the legal and ethical risks in systems procurement;
* formulate appropriate procurement approaches, including consideration of outsourcing;
* discuss and justify approaches to project management;
*demonstrate some project management techniques.
Brief description
The module covers a variety of techniques that may be used throughout the planning and implementation of new information systems. New information systems often upset current ways of working and therefore considerable emphasis is placed in the module on the techniques that analysts and users can use to help in planning for a new information system, analysing the current data and information flows and business processes so that discussion of system and process improvements can be productive. Students will compare various methodologies ? `recipes? ? for systems analysis and project management to help understand why systems failures occur, how they can be avoided, and how projects can be managed better, from planning through procurement and implementation to evaluation of the completed project and realisation of benefits.
Content
Unit 1: Information strategy, strategic planning tools, benefits appraisal
Unit 2: Soft and participative methodologies, techniques used in soft systems analysis (e.g. cognitive mapping, repertory grids, conceptual modelling), information systems philosophies
Unit 3: Business process modelling (approaches, techniques such as RIVA activity diagrams and process architecture)
Unit 4: Structured approaches to systems analysis, SSADM diagramming, object oriented analysis (principles, diagramming techniques, working with users)
Unit 5: Procurement of information systems, strategic procurement issues, standards and methods for procurement, trust and collaborative procurement, outsourcing
Unit 6: Project management risks, approaches to implementation, organisational change, user acceptance, human-computer interaction principles, training and testing, project management software, project management methodologies, project evaluation, programme management principles.
Module Skills
Skills Type | Skills details |
---|---|
Application of Number | Through understanding of the principles of cost-benefit analysis |
Communication | Through practice with different methods of presenting information flows, and processes |
Improving own Learning and Performance | By appreciation of their own likely preferred roles within a team |
Information Technology | Through practice with use of project management software |
Personal Development and Career planning | By acquisition of a range of practical skills that can be applied to organisational problems, appreciation of project management that can be applied to their own career planning |
Problem solving | Through practical work on systems analysis and business process modelling techniques |
Research skills | By critical appraisal of the evidence for the factors affecting the success or failure of projects |
Subject Specific Skills | a) Systems analysis b) Business process analysis c) Project management d) Research skills |
Team work | By appreciation of the factors that affect project performance, including the factors affecting successful team working |
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 7