FIT9006 Information technology management - Semester 2 , 2007

Clayton

• Mahbubur Rahim

Gippsland

• Kim Styles

Prerequisites

This is a postgraduate Foundation studies unit. The only prerequisite is entry into the Master of Business Systems or Master of Information Management and Systems programs or equivalent graduate programs.

Relationships

FIT9006 is a core ‘Foundation unit' in the Master of Business Systems and Master of Information Management and Systems degrees, and is a prerequisite for many of the advanced units in these degrees.  You may not study this unit and IMS9043 in your degree.   

Unit leader

Lecturer(s) :

Additional communication information

Students are studying FIT9006 at Clayton campus and by off-campus learning. Discussion groups are available in the unit's MUSO site to allow you to share thoughts and questions related to the content and delivery of the unit. It is advisable to use these discussion groups as the first point of contact for such questions so that all students have the benefit of the answer.

Communications about personal matters, such as requests for extensions, study problems or the like, should be directed to your lecturer by email, telephone or meeting.

It is best to make an appointment by email with Rahim or Kim if you want to set up a meeting or phone call to discuss personal matters.

FIT9006 provides students with a comprehensive set of study notes, readings, tutorials to facilitate your learning. The lectures and tutorials will build on these teaching resources rather than reproduce them, and are an opportunity for you to raise questions.

Lectures: Emphasis in lectures will be given to providing an overview of the concepts and discussing some of the debates that these issues provoke. You are expected to read through the study notes and readings as an adjunct to the lecture, as two hours is far too short to cover all the important concepts in detail.

Tutorials: Each week's material is accompanied by a set of tutorial questions that take various forms:

1. Exercises to test how well you have understood the content;
2. Cases that help develop deeper understanding of IT management issues as they occur in industry;
3. Practical tasks developing skill with applications and their use for IT management.

You will be expected to have completed all or a subset of the tutorial tasks prior to attending the class. Tutorials are very short and to use the time constructively to support your learning the focus will be on discussing your answers and questions. Normally your lecturer will advise you which questions will be addressed during the tutorial class.

The two assignments will provide you with feedback of your grasp of the content as well as record a mark toward your final grade.

Tutorial allocation

On-campus students should register for tutorials/laboratories using the Allocate+ system:

http://allocate.cc.monash.edu.au/

Communication, participation and feedback

Monash aims to provide a learning environment in which students receive a range of ongoing feedback throughout their studies. You will receive feedback on your work and progress in this unit. This may take the form of group feedback, individual feedback, peer feedback, self-comparison, verbal and written feedback, discussions (on line and in class) as well as more formal feedback related to assignment marks and grades. You are encouraged to draw on a variety of feedback to enhance your learning.

It is essential that you take action immediately if you realise that you have a problem that is affecting your study. Semesters are short, so we can help you best if you let us know as soon as problems arise. Regardless of whether the problem is related directly to your progress in the unit, if it is likely to interfere with your progress you should discuss it with your lecturer or a Community Service counsellor as soon as possible.

Unit Schedule

Week	Topic	References/Readings	Key dates
1	Unit overview; organisations & IT; IT trends; strategic contexts of IT management	Class notes; Read the set text: Turban et al. (5th ed.), Chapters 1, 2 and 12. Browse through Chapters 3-5 (which we will revisit throughout the semester).	No tutes this week
2	Foundation concepts: Systems and information systems; business processes	Turban et al. (5th ed.), Chapter 2; Gelinas et al. (6th ed.), Chapter 4, and Supplement; Hoffer et al. (4th ed.), Chapter 1, and Appendix 1, pp. 574-581	Tutorials commence
3	Modelling business processes; IT support for core business processes	Weekly class slides/ notes. Modelling business processes: Gelinas et al. (6th ed.), Chapter 4, and Supplement; Hoffer et al. (4th ed.), Chapter 7. IT support for core business processes: Browse quickly through Turban et al. (5th ed.) Chapters 6-11 for an overview of how IT supports core business processes
4	IT/ IS provisioning options and their associated management issues	Weekly class slides/ notes. Turban et al. (5th ed.), Chapter 14; Hoffer et al. (4th ed.), Chapters 1 and 2
5	Project management overview; project management processes for inhouse ISD, and for contract software development	Weekly class slides/ notes. Hoffer et al. (4th ed.), Chapters 3-5; Schwalbe (4th ed.) and other project management readings to be advised
6	IT and information architectures; IT infrastructure and infrastructure development	Weekly class slides/ notes. Turban et al. (5th ed.), Chapter 14. Continue with project management readings	Asst 1 due
7	IT impacts on organisations and people	Weekly class slides/ notes. Turban et al. (5th ed.), Chapter 16. Other readings to be advised
8	Managing IT in organisations: structures, roles, people, IT infrastructure, information and information systems; change management	Weekly class slides/ notes. Turban et al. (5th ed.), Chapter 15. Other readings to be advised
9	Evaluating IT; IT economics	Weekly class slides/ notes. Turban et al. (5th ed.), Chapter 13; Hoffer et al. (4th ed.), Chapter 5. Other readings to be advised
10	Issues in IT management 1: e-Business; outsourcing, off-shoring; business process reengineering	Weekly class slides/ notes. Turban et al. (5th ed.), Chapter 3-5; and pages 577-580, 590-591, 608-609, 615-625. Other readings to be advised
Mid semester break
11	Issues in IT management 2: Control, audit and security; disaster recovery; risk management	Weekly class slides/ notes. Turban et al. (5th ed.), Chapter 15; Gelinas et al. (6th ed.), Chapter 8. Other readings to be advised	Asst 2 due
12	Ethics and the IT professional; ethical issues in the management and use of IT within organisations	Weekly class slides/ notes. Turban et al. (5th ed.), pages 16-17, 124-126, 170-174, 232-233, 309, 676. Reynolds (2nd ed.) and other readings to be advised
13	IT strategy review. Revision and Unit Evaluation	Weekly class slides/ notes	Semester 2 ends

Prescribed text(s) and readings

• Turban, Efraim, Leidner, Dorothy, McLean, Ephraim & Wetherbe, James. (2006). Information technology for management: Transforming organizations in the digital economy. (5th ed.). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley. ISBN 0-471-70522-5.

The 6th edition of Turban et al. has been released in 2007. Either edition is suitable for the unit. 

Note: This text covers the major portion of our course content. However, no single text covers all areas we will be investigating. Throughout the semester, reference will be made to additional sources-articles, websites and other texts (see under ‘Further reading' below).

Text books are available from the Monash University Book Shops. Availability from other suppliers cannot be assured. The Bookshop orders texts in specifically for this unit. You are advised to purchase your text book early.

Recommended text(s) and readings

Further reading

• Applegate, Lynda M., Austin, Robert D. & McFarlan, F. Warren. (2007). Corporate information strategy and management: Text and cases. (7th ed.). Boston, MA: McGraw-Hill/Irwin. ISBN 0072947756.
  
• Frenzel, Caroll W. & Frenzel, John C. (2004). Management of information technology. (4th ed.). Boston, MA : Thomson, Course Technology. ISBN 0-619-03417-3.
  
• Gelinas, Ulric J., Sutton, Steve G. & Hunton, James E. (2005). Accounting information systems. (6th ed.). Mason, OH: Thomson South-Western.  ISBN 0-324-22098-7 [Includes separate supplement: Acquiring, developing and implementing accounting information systems ISBN 0-324-22106-1].
  
• Hoffer, Jeffrey A., George, Joey F.  & Valacich, Joseph S. (2005). Modern systems analysis and design. (4th  ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education International/Prentice-Hall.  ISBN 0-13-127391-4.
  
• Martin, E. Wainright, Brown, Carol V., DeHayes, Daniel W., Hoffer, Jeffrey A., Perkins, William C. (2005). Managing information technology. (5th ed.). Upper Saddle River, N.J. : Pearson-Prentice Hall. ISBN 0-13-145443-9.
  
• McManus, John & Wood-Harper, Trevor. (2003). Information systems project management: Methods, tools and techniques. Harlow, Eng.: Prentice Hall/ Financial Times.
  
• Pearlson, Keri & Saunders, Carol S. (2006). Managing and using information systems: A strategic approach. (3rd ed.).  Hoboken, NJ: Wiley. ISBN 0-471-71538-7.
  
• Reynolds, George W.  (2007). Ethics in information technology. (2nd ed.). Australia; UK; Thomson, Course Technology.  ISBN 1418836311.
  
• Schwalbe, Kathy. (2006). Information technology project management. (4th ed.). Boston, MA: Thomson Course Technology. ISBN -0619-21526-7.
  

Required software and/or hardware

To access weekly lecture and tutorial materials, students will need access to an Adobe Acrobat reader, and Microsoft Office software (PowerPoint, Word, Excel).

Microsoft Project will be the project management software used, and Microsoft Visio will be used for preparing charts and diagrams for tutorials and assignments. Students may also use other relevant drawing or other software they have access to, eg SmartDraw.

Off-campus students will be provided with academic licenses for these products. On-campus students may use the software in the computer labs.

Alternatively, software may be purchased at academic price at good software retailers on provision of evidence of enrolment (your current student card).

Equipment and consumables required or provided

Students studying off-campus are required to have the minimum system configuration specified by the Faculty as a condition of accepting admission, and regular Internet access. On-campus students, and those studying at supported study locations may use the facilities available in the computing labs. Information about computer use for students is available from the ITS Student Resource Guide in the Monash University Handbook.

Study resources

Study resources we will provide for your study are:

• This Unit Guide outlining the administrative information for the unit.
• A guide to Assignments in the unit.
• The FIT9006 web site on MUSO, where lecture slides/ notes, weekly tutorial requirements, assignment specifications, sample solutions and supplementary study material will be posted.
• Announcements and discussion groups that can be linked to from the Unit Homepage.
• Audio-recorded weekly lectures available on MULO:
  http://www.mulo.monash.edu.au/fac-infotech.html

Library access

The Monash University Library site contains details about borrowing rights and catalogue searching. To learn more about the library and the various resources available, please go to http://www.lib.monash.edu.au.  Be sure to obtain a copy of the Library Guide, and if necessary, the instructions for remote access from the library website.

Monash University Studies Online (MUSO)

All unit and lecture materials are available through the MUSO (Monash University Studies Online) site. You can access this site by going to:

1. a) https://muso.monash.edu.au or
2. b) via the portal (http://my.monash.edu.au).

Click on the Study and enrolment tab, then the MUSO hyperlink.

In order for your MUSO unit(s) to function correctly, your computer needs to be correctly configured.

For example :

• MUSO supported browser
• Supported Java runtime environment

For more information, please visit

http://www.monash.edu.au/muso/support/students/downloadables-student.html

You can contact the MUSO Support by: Phone: (+61 3) 9903 1268

For further contact information including operational hours, please visit

http://www.monash.edu.au/muso/support/students/contact.html

Further information can be obtained from the MUSO support site:

http://www.monash.edu.au/muso/support/index.html

Unit assessment policy

Assessment for the unit consists of two assignments with a collective weighting of 40%, and an examination with a weighting of 60%.  

• Assignment 1, value 20%, due 5 April 2007 (week 6).
• Assignment 2, value 20%, due 17 May 2007 (week 11).
• Final closed-book examination (3 hours) (to be held during the Monash exam period, which runs from 4-29 June)

Detailed assignment specifications will be made available in the Assignments folder on the unit MUSO web site.

To pass this unit you must achieve:

1. a pass (50%or better) in the unit overall, as well as
2. more than half of the combined assignment marks
3. and more than 50% in the the examination.

Your score for the unit will be calculated by:

Your mark on Assignment 1 (/20) + Your mark on Assignment 2 (/20) + Your exam mark (/60) = Your final mark (/100)

Should you achieve less than half of the possible marks for the assignments overall, or the exam the highest mark allocated will be 44 N.

Assignment tasks

• Assignment Task

  Title :

  Assignment 1: Report on a Potential Information Systems Implementation

  Description :

  You will research and report on specific aspects of one type of information system. Your role is an IT/IS professional whose organisation has been considering the possibility of implementing this particular sort of information system, eg an enterprise system, a supply chain management system, a data warehouse, a decision support system. The report is for a senior management committee/board of directors on the potential advantages and issues/concerns with implementing this type of system.

  Details on requirements are provided in the assignment specification.

  Weighting :

  20%

  Criteria for assessment :

  Your assignment submission will be evaluated using these criteria:

  • Research skills-Identifying relevant sources, the breadth of sources drawn on and accurate referencing
  • Content-related factors-systematically addressing the key areas identified
  • Cognitive skills -analysis, evaluation and synthesis
  • Report writing skills-structure, coherence, expression, presentation

  Due date :

  Week 6

• Assignment Task

  Title :

  Assignment 2: Project Management Plan

  Description :

  This group assignment focuses on project management planning for a scenario descibed in a detailed case study. The following areas will be incorporated:

  • Project strategy
    • Situation analysis and problem/ opportunity identification and analysis
    • Project goals and objectives
    • Outline of the details of your intended project strategy (including documentation for how you decided between possible alternative ways of achieving project goals)
  • Project tactical plans
    • Work breakdown structure
    • Work scheduling and milestones (including MS Project-generated Gantt and PERT/CPM network charts)
    • Resource requirements and responsibilities
  • Plans for monitoring project performance and managing project risk (also include here communication and documentation plans, and an outline of the form the final project review will take).

  The specification will detail the tasks and required deliverables.

  Weighting :

  20%

  Criteria for assessment :

  Your assignment will be judged on:

  • Content-related factors-demonstrated understanding of the basics of project management as applied to IS development, and systematically addressing the key areas identified in the project management plan checklist above. (30% weighting)
  • Application of project management techniques and software -Demonstrated skills in applying project management techniques and using project management software (MS Project). (30% weighting)
  • Business process modelling skills-Demonstrated skills in modelling business processes using process modelling (DFDs) and in presenting models using MS Visio (or other modelling software). (20% weighting)
  • Analysis of the team process and effectiveness -Perceptiveness to the process and social dimensions of your project team. (10% weighting). Where the assignment is undertaken individually, these marks will be reassigned across the first two categories listed above.
  • Business report writing skills and referencing -structure, coherence, expression, presentation, accurate referencing (10% weighting).

  Due date :

  Week 11

  Remarks ( optional - leave blank for none ) :

  This is a group assignment, however there is the capacity for some students to undertake the activity individually by arrangement with the lecturer.

Examinations

• Examination

  Weighting :

  60%

  Length :

  3 hours

  Type ( open/closed book ) :

  closed book

Assignment submission

On-campus Students

Submit your assignment to your tutor during the specified tutorial. Please ensure that the appropriate cover sheet is correctly filled out and attached.

Off-campus Students

Submit your assignment electronically via MUSO by the due date, or alternatively post a hard copy to the lecturer. Please ensure that the appropriate cover sheet is correctly filled out and attached.

Assignment coversheets

Due dates and extensions

The due dates for the submission of assignments are given in the previous section. 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 seldom regarded as appropriate reasons for granting extensions. Students are advised to NOT assume that granting of an extension is a matter of course.

Requests for extensions must be made to the unit lecturer at your campus at least two days before the due date. You will be asked to forward original medical certificates in cases of illness, and may be asked to provide other forms of documentation where necessary. A copy of the email or other written communication of an extension must be attached to the assignment submission.

Late assignment

Assignments received after the due date without an approved extension will be subject to a penalty of 5% of total assignment marks per day late. Assignments received later than two weeks after the due date will not normally be accepted.

Return dates

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

Assessment for the unit as a whole is in accordance with the provisions of the Monash University Education Policy at:

http://www.policy.monash.edu/policy-bank/academic/education/assessment/

We will aim to have assignment results made available to you within two to three weeks after assignment receipt.

For on campus students, assignments will be returned during class times; off campus students' assignments will be posted back to them. Marks may be made available to students individually via MUSO.

Plagiarism, cheating and collusion

Plagiarism and cheating are regarded as very serious offences. In cases where cheating  has been confirmed, students have been severely penalised, from losing all marks for an assignment, to facing disciplinary action at the Faculty level. While we would wish that all our students adhere to sound ethical conduct and honesty, I will ask you to acquaint yourself with Student Rights and Responsibilities (http://www.infotech.monash.edu.au/about/committees-groups/facboard/policies/studrights.html) and the Faculty regulations that apply to students detected cheating as these will be applied in all detected cases.

In this University, cheating means seeking to obtain an unfair advantage in any examination or any other written or practical work to be submitted or completed by a student for assessment. It includes the use, or attempted use, of any means to gain an unfair advantage for any assessable work in the unit, where the means is contrary to the instructions for such work. 

When you submit an individual assessment item, such as a program, a report, an essay, assignment or other piece of work, under your name you are understood to be stating that this is your own work. If a submission is identical with, or similar to, someone else's work, an assumption of cheating may arise. If you are planning on working with another student, it is acceptable to undertake research together, and discuss problems, but it is not acceptable to jointly develop or share solutions unless this is specified by your lecturer. 

Intentionally providing students with your solutions to assignments is classified as "assisting to cheat" and students who do this may be subject to disciplinary action. You should take reasonable care that your solution is not accidentally or deliberately obtained by other students. For example, do not leave copies of your work in progress on the hard drives of shared computers, and do not show your work to other students. If you believe this may have happened, please be sure to contact your lecturer as soon as possible.

Cheating also includes taking into an examination any material contrary to the regulations, including any bilingual dictionary, whether or not with the intention of using it to obtain an advantage.

Plagiarism involves the false representation of another person's ideas, or findings, as your own by either copying material or paraphrasing without citing sources. It is both professional and ethical to reference clearly the ideas and information that you have used from another writer. If the source is not identified, then you have plagiarised work of the other author. Plagiarism is a form of dishonesty that is insulting to the reader and grossly unfair to your student colleagues.

Register of counselling about plagiarism

The university requires faculties to keep a simple and confidential register to record counselling to students about plagiarism (e.g. warnings). The register is accessible to Associate Deans Teaching (or nominees) and, where requested, students concerned have access to their own details in the register. The register is to serve as a record of counselling about the nature of plagiarism, not as a record of allegations; and no provision of appeals in relation to the register is necessary or applicable.

Non-discriminatory language

The Faculty of Information Technology is committed to the use of non-discriminatory language in all forms of communication. Discriminatory language is that which refers in abusive terms to gender, race, age, sexual orientation, citizenship or nationality, ethnic or language background, physical or mental ability, or political or religious views, or which stereotypes groups in an adverse manner. This is not meant to preclude or inhibit legitimate academic debate on any issue; however, the language used in such debate should be non-discriminatory and sensitive to these matters. It is important to avoid the use of discriminatory language in your communications and written work. The most common form of discriminatory language in academic work tends to be in the area of gender inclusiveness. You are, therefore, requested to check for this and to ensure your work and communications are non-discriminatory in all respects.

Students with disabilities

Students with disabilities that may disadvantage them in assessment should seek advice from one of the following before completing assessment tasks and examinations:

• Faculty of Information Technology Student Service staff, and / or
• your Unit Coordinator, or
• Disabilities Liaison Unit

Deferred assessment and special consideration

Deferred assessment (not to be confused with an extension for submission of an assignment) may be granted in cases of extenuating personal circumstances such as serious personal illness or bereavement. Special consideration in the awarding of grades is also possible in some circumstances. Information and forms for Special Consideration and deferred assessment applications are available at http://www.monash.edu.au/exams/special-consideration.html. Contact the Faculty's Student Services staff at your campus for further information and advice.