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Dr Dora Constantinidis
Fax: +61 3 990 31077

Malaysia

Saadat M. Alhashmi, Senior Lecturer, contact number: 0060 3 551 46085

Introduction

Welcome to FIT3066, Information technology strategy and management.  This 6 point unit is a core Level 3 unit in the Information Systems major of the BITS.  It is also suitable for study by students in other BITS majors.  The unit aims to introduce the basic concepts and issues in IT management and strategy, and explore some topics of current concern to IT managers.   The unit also tried to expose students to the realities of IT management, by requiring them to participate in case studies of IT management issues. 

Unit synopsis

This unit provides students with a detailed understanding of key topics in information systems strategy and management, and with the skills and capacity to critically analyse IS management issues. Topics include management of IT directions including outsourcing, systems provisioning, etc.; management and planning of IT support for business strategies; IT strategic planning; and IT risk management and failures.

Learning outcomes

At the completion of this unit students will have -
A theoretical and conceptual understanding of:
  • basic concepts of strategy and management relevant to the use of IT in organisations;
  • the nature and role of the IT/IS infrastructure within organisations;
  • the various roles played by different types of IS within organisations;
  • the types of management and organisational risks commonly faced by IT managers;
  • the potential for failure inherent in applying IT to the solution of organisational problems;
  • issues in the management of IS/IT economics, information resources, information systems development, information security and the planning of IT-enabled strategies;
  • issues in the management of risk in IT projects and line activities.
Developed attitudes which enable them to:
  • behave in an ethical and professional manner during the planning, implementation and management of information systems;
  • appreciate the role and importance of management skills in the IS/IT domain;
  • appreciate the role and importance of planning in the management of the IS/IT function in organisations.
Developed the skills to:
  • participate in organisational discussions on IT/IS management and planning issues in organisations;
  • contribute constructive suggestions of relevance to the solution of IT/IS management and planning issues in organisations;
  • identify and communicate issues of concern relative to the planning and management of the IT/IS function in organisations.
Demonstrated the communication skills necessary to:
  • understand the roles and responsibilities of IT/IS managers within the broader management framework in organisations;
  • appreciate the contribution that a well-managed IT/IS function can make to an organisation.

Contact hours

2 hrs lectures/wk, 2 hrs tutorials/wk

Workload

Workload commitments for this unit are:

  • one 2-hour lecture
  • one 1-hour tutorial
  • at least 3 hours per week of reading, preparation time and assignment work for each contact hour 

Unit relationships

Prerequisites

One of FIT1003, FIT2027, CSE1205, IMS1002, IMS2805 or equivalent

Prohibitions

IMS3002, GCO3816

Teaching and learning method

Teaching approach

Lectures will be used to introduce key themes and highlight the main points of interest within each theme.  Tutorials will be used to discuss the application of theory in practical situations.  Case studies of IT management practice will be used as the basis for discussion of issues.  Students will be expected to carry out their own case study analyses of organizations and present the findings as the basis for discussions in class.  Students will be required to make use of reference material to provide examples of management issues and current practices.

Timetable information

For information on timetabling for on-campus classes please refer to MUTTS, http://mutts.monash.edu.au/MUTTS/

Tutorial allocation

On-campus students should register for tutorials/laboratories using the Allocate+ system: http://allocate.its.monash.edu.au/

Unit Schedule

Week Date* Topic Key dates
1 01/03/10 Introduction to unit. Definition of basic concepts  
2 08/03/10 Case study of strategy and management in action. Introduction to key themes  
3 15/03/10 Introduction to Theme 1: Business and organizational role of IT/IS; Organizational rationales for IT/IS usage: efficiency, effectiveness, competitiveness, business process improvement, inter-organizational linkages, new business models. Fads and fashions in the evolving role of IT/IS usage  
4 22/03/10 Theories of management and strategy for IT/IS: Innovation and maturity models Stages of growth and strategic grid models; Critical Success Factors; Business alignment; Nick Carr and IT as infrastructure  
5 29/03/10 Choosing the IT/IS management strategy, risk, competitiveness, etc. Introduction to Theme 2: Hardware management and strategy; Technology trends and impacts on organizational technology decisions  
Mid semester break
6 12/04/10 Specialisation and standardisation; hardware integration  
7 19/04/10 Hardware architectures from strategy to architecture to infrastructure elements  
8 26/04/10 Introduction to Theme 3: Systems and data management and strategy. Integration of systems; ERP, CRM  
9 03/05/10 Web Services and service-oriented architectures. Integration and sharing of data; data warehousing  
10 10/05/10 Knowledge management. Introduction to Theme 4: IT governance. Aims and objectives of governance; recent history  
11 17/05/10 Measuring/justifying/auditing IT expenditure. Insourcing, outsourcing and levels of service  
12 24/05/10 Risk management. Evolution of standards and best practice for IT governance  
13 31/05/10 Review  

*Please note that these dates may only apply to Australian campuses of Monash University. Off-shore students need to check the dates with their unit leader.

Improvements to this unit

Guest lectures from industry will be introduced this semester - highlighting the practical value of the theory planned

Unit Resources

Prescribed text(s) and readings

No required textbook

Recommended text(s) and readings

Boddy D, Boonstra A & Kennedy G (2005) Managing Information Systems, Prentice HallPearlson K & Saunders C (2004) Managing and Using Information Systems: A Strategic Approach, Wiley   Turban E, Leidner D, McLean E & Wetherbe, J. (2005) Information Technology for Management: Transforming Organizations in the Digital Economy (5th Edition) Wiley & Sons. ISBN: 0-471-705225 Martin E, Brown C, DeHayes, D, Hoffer, J & Perkins W. (2005) Managing Information Technology (5th Edition). Pearson Prentice Hall. ISBN: 0-13-129731-0 Gray P. (2006) Manager's Guide to Making Decisions about Information Systems. Wiley & Sons. ISBN: 0-471-26359-1 Laudon, K.C. & Laudon, J.P. (2006) Management Information Systems: Managing the Digital Firm (10th Edition). Pearson/Prentice Hall. ISBN: 0-13-153841-1

Equipment and consumables required or provided

Students will need access to:

  • a personal computer with Windows XP
  • the internet via dial-up connection or preferably by broadband
  • a printer for assignments

Study resources

Study resources we will provide for your study are:

  • Weekly detailed lecture notes outlining the learning objectives, discussion of the content, required readings and  exercises;
  • Weekly tutorial or laboratory tasks and exercises with some sample solutions;
  • Assignment specifications and some sample solutions;
  • Sample examination questions and solutions; 
  • Access to past examination papers;
  • This Unit Guide outlining the administrative information for the unit;
  • The unit web site on MUSO, where resources outlined above will be made available.

    • Assessment

    Overview

    Examination (3 hours): 60%; In-semester assessment: 40%

    Faculty assessment policy

    To pass a unit which includes an examination as part of the assessment a student must obtain:

    • 40% or more in the unit's examination, and
    • 40% or more in the unit's total non-examination assessment, and
    • an overall unit mark of 50% or more.

    If a student does not achieve 40% or more in the unit examination or the unit non-examination total assessment, and the total mark for the unit is greater than 50% then a mark of no greater than 49-N will be recorded for the unit.

    To pass this unit, a student must obtain :
    • 40% or more in the unit's examination and
    • 40% or more in the unit's non-examination assessment
       and
    • an overall unit mark of 50% or more
    If a student does not achieve 40% or more in the unit examination or the unit non-examination assessment then a mark of no greater than 44-N will be recorded for the unit.

    Assignment tasks

    Assignment coversheets

    Assignment coversheets are available via "Student Forms" on the Faculty website: http://www.infotech.monash.edu.au/resources/student/forms/
    You MUST submit a completed coversheet with all assignments, ensuring that the plagiarism declaration section is signed.

    Assignment submission and return procedures, and assessment criteria will be specified with each assignment.

    • Assignment task 1
      Title:
      Assignment 1- Individual assignment
      Description:
      Details of the assignment tasks will be included in the assignment specification which will be handed out in week 2 of semester
      Weighting:
      10%
      Due date:
      week 5
    • Assignment task 2
      Title:
      Assignment 2 - Group work
      Description:
      Details of the assignment tasks will be included in the assignment specification which will be handed out in week 3 of semester
      Weighting:
      15%
      Due date:
      Will be announced during tutorial
    • Assignment task 3
      Title:
      Assignment 3 - Group work
      Description:
      Details of the assignment tasks will be included in the assignment specification which will be handed out in week 3 of semester
      Weighting:
      15 %
      Due date:
      week 12

    Examination

    • Weighting: 60%
      Length: 3 hours
      Type (open/closed book): Closed book
      Remarks:

      Final examination held during formal Semester 1 examination period

    See Appendix for End of semester special consideration / deferred exams process.

    Due dates and extensions

    Please make every effort to submit work by the due dates. It is your responsibility to structure your study program around assignment deadlines, family, work and other commitments. Factors such as normal work pressures, vacations, etc. are not regarded as appropriate reasons for granting extensions. Students are advised to NOT assume that granting of an extension is a matter of course.

    Students requesting an extension for any assessment during semester (eg. Assignments, tests or presentations) are required to submit a Special Consideration application form (in-semester exam/assessment task), along with original copies of supporting documentation, directly to their lecturer within two working days before the assessment submission deadline. Lecturers will provide specific outcomes directly to students via email within 2 working days. The lecturer reserves the right to refuse late applications.

    A copy of the email or other written communication of an extension must be attached to the assignment submission.

    Refer to the Faculty Special consideration webpage or further details and to access application forms: http://www.infotech.monash.edu.au/resources/student/equity/special-consideration.html

    Late assignment

    Assignments received after the due date will be subject to a penalty of 5% per day, including weekends. Assignments received later than one week (seven days) after the due date will not normally be accepted. In some cases, this period may be shorter if there is a need to release sample solutions.

    This policy is strict because comments or guidance will be given on assignments as they are returned, and sample solutions may also be published and distributed, after assignment marking or with the returned assignment.

    Return dates

    Students can expect assignments to be returned within two weeks of the submission date or after receipt, whichever is later.

    Appendix

    Please visit the following URL: http://www.infotech.monash.edu.au/units/appendix.html for further information about:

    • Continuous improvement
    • Unit evaluations
    • Communication, participation and feedback
    • Library access
    • Monash University Studies Online (MUSO)
    • Plagiarism, cheating and collusion
    • Register of counselling about plagiarism
    • Non-discriminatory language
    • Students with disability
    • End of semester special consideration / deferred exams
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