CIS 3008 Systems Planning and Management

STAFFING:

REQUISITES:

RATIONALE:

Regardless of the size and complexity of the organisation, Information Technology (IT) managers in the 21st century need to be architects of alignment, linking business and IT. IT strategy is concerned with more than technology: it involves integrating skills, processes, and structures to transform the organisation. In today's hyper-competitive global markets the effectiveness of the links between IT and business are critically important. The reach of the IT into every aspect of an organisation's activities underscores the need to adequately prepare today's IT managers in terms of strategic, tactical and operational planning and management.

SYNOPSIS:

This course recognises the importance of aligning IT with the strategic goals of the organisation. The management of IT and the strategic, tactical and operational IT processes are examined to consider how effective systems planning and management can contribute to the organisation. To address pertinent issues, this course includes the following topics: IT governance, IT structure, performance, measurement and reporting, management of emerging technologies, change management and project management. Verbal and written communication skills are also emphasised as important for the student's skill and knowledge portfolio.

OBJECTIVES:

The course objectives define the student learning outcomes for a course. The assessment item(s) that may be used to assess student achievement of an objective are shown in parentheses after each objective. On successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

1. use the strategic alignment model to harmonise the goals and implementation plans of IT with the goals and organisation structure of the business (Assignment, Examination)
2. understand the strategic, tactical and operational processes of an IT department within an organisation, in particular IT strategic planning and IT governance and the role of the CIO and IT management (Assignment, Examination)
3. consider the issues surrounding the management of emerging technologies and the impact of technical and organisational change arising from IT applications (Assignment, Examination)
4. examine various business structural options for IT service provision and HR issues related to the IT function (Assignment, Examination)
5. develop effective IT-business communication, and understand how to measure IT performance and benefits (Assignment, Examination)
6. understand how the nine project management body of knowledge (PMBOK) areas and five process groups apply to IT projects (Assignment, Examination).

TOPICS:

TEXT and MATERIALS required to be PURCHASED or accessed:

ALL textbooks and materials are available for purchase from USQ BOOKSHOP (unless otherwise stated). Orders may be placed via secure internet, free fax 1800642453, phone 07 46312742 (within Australia), or mail. Overseas students should fax +61 7 46311743, or phone +61 7 46312742. For costs, further details, and internet ordering, use the 'Textbook Search' facility at http://bookshop.usq.edu.au click 'Semester', then enter your 'Course Code' (no spaces).

CIS3008 study package available from the USQ Bookshop.

REFERENCE MATERIALS:

STUDENT WORKLOAD REQUIREMENTS:

ASSESSMENT DETAILS:

NOTES:

1.

The examination is scheduled to be held in the end-of-semester examination period. Students will be advised of the official examination date for Exam (Parts A and B) after the timetable has been finalised. The total working time for Exam (Parts A and B) is 3 hours.

IMPORTANT ASSESSMENT INFORMATION

1. Attendance requirements:
   It is the students' responsibility to attend and participate appropriately in all activities (such as lectures, tutorials, laboratories and practical work) scheduled for them, and to study all material provided to them or required to be accessed by them to maximise their chance of meeting the objectives of the course and to be informed of course-related activities and administration.
2. Requirements for students to complete each assessment item satisfactorily:
   To satisfactorily complete an individual assessment item a student must achieve at least 50% of the marks. (Depending upon the requirements in Statement 4 below, students may not have to satisfactorily complete each assessment item to receive a passing grade in this course.)
3. Penalties for late submission of required work:
   If students submit assignments after the due date without prior approval then a penalty of 20% of the total marks available for the assignment may apply for each working day late. (a) If the assignment is submitted late (any circumstances including medical certificate) after TWO weeks of the due date, the assignment will not be marked and the decision for a makeup assignment will be made subject to the outcome of the final examination result. (b) Unless otherwise directed by the examiner, students should submit the electronic copy only of the assignment through the USQConnect. It is the student's responsibility to make sure appropriate attachments are uploaded and submitted (send) for marking. Hard copy or e-mail submission is NOT acceptable.
4. Requirements for student to be awarded a passing grade in the course:
   To be assured of receiving a passing grade a student must submit all of the weighted assessment items, achieve at least 50% in the assignment, achieve at least 50% in the examination, and at least 50% of the total weighted marks available for the course.
5. Method used to combine assessment results to attain final grade:
   The final grades for students will be assigned on the basis of the aggregate of the weighted marks obtained for each of the summative assessment items in the course.
6. Examination information:
   This is a restricted examination. Candidates are allowed access to specific materials during the examination. The only materials that candidates may use in the examination for this course are (i) Writing materials: non-electronic and free from material which could give the student an unfair advantage in the examination; (ii) Translation dictionaries: with the Examiner's approval, candidates may, take an appropriate non-electronic translation dictionary into the examination. This will be subject to perusal and, if it is found to contain annotations or markings that could give the candidate an unfair advantage, it may be removed from the candidate's possession until the appropriate disciplinary action is completed.
7. Examination period when Deferred/Supplementary examinations will be held:
   Any Deferred or Supplementary examinations for this course will be held during the next examination period.
8. University Regulations:
   Students should read USQ Regulations 5.1 Definitions, 5.6. Assessment, and 5.10 Academic Misconduct for further information and to avoid actions which might contravene University Regulations. These regulations can be found at the URL http://www.usq.edu.au/corporateservices/calendar/part5.htm. Students should also read the Faculty of Business Guide to Policies and Procedures of the Faculty which can be found at the URL http://www.usq.edu.au/handbook/current/buspolproc.html.

ASSESSMENT NOTES

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

1. Learning resources: Prescribed texts and materials (see above); recommended reference materials (see above); printed Introductory Book* and Study Book/s* ; and course Website accessible via USQConnect. *part of the study package available from the USQ Bookshop.
2. E-mail and Internet Access: Students will require access to e-mail and Internet access to USQConnect for this course.