University of Technology Sydney

31245 Business Process and IT Strategy

Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.

Subject handbook information prior to 2024 is available in the Archives.

UTS: Information Technology: Computer Science
Credit points: 6 cp

Subject level:

Undergraduate

Result type: Grade and marks

Requisite(s): 31276 Networked Enterprise Architecture OR 31257 Information System Development Methodologies
Anti-requisite(s): 31736 Business Processes and IT Strategy

Description

This subject introduces students to the uses of information technology (IT) as a strategic resource that enables business processes and strategies. A major concern of businesses is the search for competitive advantage and how to best leverage IT resources and align them with business goals to achieve competitive advantage. For IT managers, this raises a number of complex issues to understand and manage. These issues relate to the roles of IT and IT strategy in enabling business processes and generating business benefits. In this subject, theories and methods related to the value of IT are presented and explored. Students learn and discuss business and strategy processes that lead to learning organisations that can achieve sustainable competitive advantage.

Business processes and IT strategy are key concerns for business and IT managers. Managing information is a critical skill for success in today's business environment. Managers need to know about their organisation's capabilities and uses of information resources. This subject aims to provide a foundation to help general business managers become knowledgeable participants in decision-making processes related to information systems (IS). Critically reviewing the contributions of IS resources in businesses and organisational settings establishes a contextual understanding of how IS permeates many aspects of business.

Through case studies this subject reinforces material provided in lectures and tutorials, additional research, and prior knowledge while giving groups of students scope to enhance their problem-solving, critical thinking and organisational skills as well as peer learning. The subject stresses the development and assessment of real-world experience through applied and innovative tasks and with team effort. Students develop the knowledge and skills required for using and managing information within an organisation as well as management and communication skills.

Subject learning objectives (SLOs)

Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:

1. Theorise on the impact of information systems technology in business process transformation (BPT) and strategic information systems planning (SISP) and why businesses undertake BPT or SISP to achieve sustainable competitive advantage. (B.1)
2. Explain the role of non-IT enablers that affect successful BPT. (B.1)
3. Describe the complex network of organisational issues that arise during BPT or SISP and their impact on IS and business alignment. (B.1)
4. Explain the need for collaboration between IS personnel and their customers to achieve satisfactory solving of complex problems. (B.1)
5. Present, discuss and support their analyses of issues involving business and strategy processes in learning organisations. (E.1)

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, interpret and analyse stakeholder needs and cultural perspectives, establish priorities and goals, and identify constraints, uncertainties and risks (social, ethical, cultural, legislative, environmental, economics etc.) to define the system requirements. (B.1)
  • Collaborative and Communicative: FEIT graduates work as an effective member or leader of diverse teams, communicating effectively and operating within cross-disciplinary and cross-cultural contexts in the workplace. (E.1)

Teaching and learning strategies

Each week, a combination of lectures (1.5 hours) and tutorials (1.5 hours) includes individual and group work. Six hours of study outside class (which includes both individual and team work) is integrated into expected study load so as to successfully meet the subject learning outcomes through each assessment task.

Students are required to complete all assessment tasks through tutorial activities: group work on a given case study during the tutorial sessions and out of class activities: Canvas subject site discussion board and self-directed learning using Internet/handouts/workbook.

Students are expected to undertake pre-work before each weekly session, which is available in Canvas subject site. This involves reading selected textbook chapters, research articles, and watching Lynda.com courses related to the topic covered in lectures and tutorials. This is followed by a discussion during the tutorial. Careful planning for collaboration and feedback is integral here aiming to provide an optimal learning experience.

The lectures contain a collection of specifically focused collaborative online activities and exercises. Learning activities in lectures also include practice MCQs questions and review questions at the end of the lecture. Each week these provide students with verbal feedback from their tutors, to gauge their progress and gain ideas for future direction.

Lectures/tutorials and students’ access of Canvas subject site to view videos, reference materials, and communication tools help them to prepare and develop their individual and group work assessment tasks. Verbal feedback is integral to each tutorial collaborative activity. Tutor feedback during tutorials will support students to draft a report, and written feedback on the final report is also provided. All tutorial sessions and lectures are designed to help students to prepare for the subject's assessments.

Real world problems and case studies will be discussed and students need to provide critical and relevant solutions. Participation in these approaches may better shape students to be more autonomous and involved in the process of learning.

Content (topics)

The subject primarily covers the following topics:

  • Business strategy frameworks and IS strategy models
  • The strategic use of Information resources
  • Delivering business value through IT strategy
  • Data Strategy
  • Website Strategy
  • Introduction to IT4IT and ITIL
  • IS for enabling and managing business processes
  • IS sourcing
  • Knowledge management, business intelligence, and analytics as source of strategic advantage

Assessment

Assessment task 1: Topic review and discussion

Intent:

To demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the concept of IT strategy and business processes based on scholarly articles and real-world case studies.
Objective(s):

This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs):

1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs):

B.1 and E.1

Type: Exercises
Groupwork: Individual
Weight: 25%

Assessment task 2: Group Project

Intent:

To apply knowledge and theories gained during lectures and tutorials to develop an optimal strategic business & IT plan.
Objective(s):

This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs):

1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs):

B.1 and E.1

Type: Report
Groupwork: Group, group assessed
Weight: 35%
Length:

Min 2000 Words

Assessment task 3: Quiz 1

Intent:

To assess students’ knowledge, understanding, and insight gained during lectures and tutorials using MCQs and real-world scenario questions.
Objective(s):

This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs):

1, 3 and 5

This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs):

B.1 and E.1

Type: Quiz/test
Groupwork: Individual
Weight: 20%
Criteria:

Open book. Quiz 1 will cover week 1 to 6 lecture

Assessment task 4: Quiz 2

Intent:

To assess students’ knowledge, understanding, and insight gained during lectures and tutorials using MCQs and real-world scenario questions.

Objective(s):

This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs):

1, 3 and 5

This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs):

B.1 and E.1

Type: Quiz/test
Groupwork: Individual
Weight: 20%
Criteria:

Open book. Quiz 2 will cover all lecture topics (i.e. 40% from week 1 to week 6 lecture topics, and 60% from week 7 to week 12).

Minimum requirements

In order to pass the subject, a student must achieve an overall mark of 50% or more.

Required texts

Recommended texts

1. Managing and Using Information Systems: A Strategic Approach, 7th edition. Wiley. 2020. By: ?Pearlson, K., Saunders, C. S., and Galleta, D. F.

2. Processes, Systems, and Information: An Introduction to MIS, 3rd edition , Pearson, 2019. By: Earl H. McKinney, Jr., and David M. Kroenke

3. IT Strategy & Innovation. Edition 4.0. Prosperct Press. 2018. By: James D. McKeen and Heather A. Smith

Other resources

Links to resources required to support teaching and learning (e.g., papers, journal articles, videos, etc.) will be available on Canvas, and will be updated throughout the session. Students may print, download or access them electronically for use in classroom activities or study, following applicable copyright policy. Some resources may be distributed directly in class, depending on the requirements of the activities.