32208 Information Systems Strategy
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Credit points: 6 cp
Subject level:
Postgraduate
Result type: Grade and marksThere are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.
Recommended studies: basic understanding of information systems and technologies and their use in business
Description
Information systems (IS) strategy is a key concern for both IT managers and managers of other business functions within enterprises. IS strategy is about effective planning of the use and utilisation of information systems resources and technologies to achieve organisational long-term objectives. Through presentation of key issues, case studies and presentations of students' own experiences, this postgraduate subject deals with the development, evaluation and impact of information systems in organisations; choices that, together, form part of IT and IS strategy.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:
| 1. | Apply information systems strategy frameworks to help organizations develop long term plans |
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| 2. | Analyze the business environment and identify opportunities for implementing information systems strategically |
| 3. | Evaluate information systems theoretical models and frameworks to assess business and information systems alignment |
| 4. | Apply appropriate IS frameworks for solving real world cases |
| 5. | Critically evaluate information systems strategies from scholarly articles |
| 6. | Evaluate human, organizational and technical issues associated with the implementation information systems strategies |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject also contributes specifically to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs):
- Socially Responsible: FEIT graduates identify, engage, and influence stakeholders, and apply expert judgment establishing and managing constraints, conflicts and uncertainties within a hazards and risk framework to define system requirements and interactivity. (B.1)
- Design Oriented: FEIT graduates apply problem solving, design thinking and decision-making methodologies in new contexts or to novel problems, to explore, test, analyse and synthesise complex ideas, theories or concepts. (C.1)
- Technically Proficient: FEIT graduates apply theoretical, conceptual, software and physical tools and advanced discipline knowledge to research, evaluate and predict future performance of systems characterised by complexity. (D.1)
- Collaborative and Communicative: FEIT graduates work as an effective member or leader of diverse teams, communicating effectively and operating autonomously within cross-disciplinary and cross-cultural contexts in the workplace. (E.1)
Teaching and learning strategies
Information Systems Strategy is taught via a weekly 3 hour class, comprising a short lecture, largely collaborative class activities, and tutorials.
All class activities are group activities. Students form collaborative groups to discuss case studies and potential solutions to real world problems. Groups are organised to present counter solutions to the class and students are encouraged to critique and evaluate potential solutions. Thereby students provide peer feedback to each other on a weekly basis. Constant feedback is provided by extending the class collaborative discussion with reflective questions by the tutor. Students are encouraged to write their solutions, present these and respond to critique and evaluation. Quizzes are designed to engage students in additional reading and provide an opportunity for additional feedback which informs the assessment tasks.
Students are encouraged to access UTSOnline and answer case study questions prior to the class. Answers are discussed with group members in the weekly classes. Students gain peer feedback by engaging in the group weekly exercises. Collaboration and feedback underpin the learning in this subject and hence participation is a critical aspect.
Content (topics)
The major topics are as follows:
1 Information Systems Strategy Frameworks
2. Information Systems Strategy and Organizational Resources
3. Impacts of Information Systems Strategy on Organizational Processes and Work
4. Architecture and Infrastructure
5. Frameworks for Strategic Planning
6. Evaluating IS Strategies
7. IS Governance
8. IS Strategy and Ethics
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Class Exercise Preparation and Performance
| Intent: | To demonstrate in-depth understanding of the concept of information systems strategy, on which the scholarly articles and industrial case studies are based on. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 1 and 6 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): B.1 and E.1 |
| Type: | Laboratory/practical |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 10% |
| Criteria: | This assessment will be marked weekly in the class based on students' active participation in the group discussion, their level of attempting case study and discussion questions, and effective communication and class presentation. |
Assessment task 2: Project Report
| Intent: | To apply knowledge, theories, and insights gained during lectures, answer short questions, and evaluate case studies and provide solutions to the real world problems. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 1, 2 and 3 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): B.1 and C.1 |
| Type: | Report |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 30% |
Assessment task 3: Quizzes
| Intent: | Quiz questions contain multiple choice questions, case study with a set of questions about the real world IS problems and a descriptive type questions about the subject. Each quiz will have 15 marks" |
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| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 1, 2, 4 and 6 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): B.1, C.1 and D.1 |
| Type: | Quiz/test |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 30% |
Assessment task 4: Presentation
| Intent: | The focus of this task is to critically research and evaluate a business, and apply your knowledge to design an information systems strategy for the business in collaboration with your group members. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 1, 5 and 6 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): C.1, D.1 and E.1 |
| Type: | Presentation |
| Groupwork: | Group, group and individually assessed |
| Weight: | 30% |
Minimum requirements
In order to pass the subject, a student must achieve an overall mark of 50% or more.
Required texts
Pearlson K.E., Saunders C.S. Managing and Using Information Systems: A Strategic Approach. (2016) 6th Edition, John Wiley & Sons, Inc. (Electronic or hard copy)
Recommended texts
Jelassi T., Enders A (2008). Strategies for e-Business: Creating Value through Electronic and Mobile Commerce. Second edition, Prentice Hall
Other resources
Any important announcement, lecture materials, assignment questions may be made from time to time early in the lectures and on UTS Online - http://online.uts.edu.au.
If urgent, you may be notified by email, it is your responsibility to be aware of this information.