University of Technology Sydney

31280 Strategic IT Project

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: Professional Practice and Leadership
Credit points: 6 cp

Subject level:

Undergraduate

Result type: Grade and marks

Requisite(s): 31272 Project Management and the Professional

Recommended studies: systems design; requirements gathering; project planning; networking; report writing; presentations; working in teams

Description

This subject deals with issues involved in strategic level analysis and design in a corporate information systems environment. Through a major case study, it reinforces material previously studied, while giving groups of students scope to use their own judgement in applying their knowledge. It stresses the development and assessment of alternative approaches to a system strategy. Senior management and communication skills are also developed.

Subject learning objectives (SLOs)

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

1. Apply strategic thinking to analyse and design a solution to an industry-like case study. (C.1)
2. Engage in decision making in areas of uncertainty and clearly communicate contributions to practical situations. (E.1)
3. Identify and present systematically, the requirements for an information system in a medium to large and complex organisation. (B.1)
4. Develop an appropriate systems solution, assess its impact on the organisation and make management recommendations. (C.1)
5. Design and implement a strategy for introducing change to a corporate information system. (C.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)
  • Design Oriented: FEIT graduates apply problem solving, design and decision-making methodologies to develop components, systems and processes to meet specified requirements. (C.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

This is a capstone subject that is comprised of tutorials and group meetings.

Initial classes articulate subject organisation, requirements and direction. These are followed by weekly teamwork tutorials/meetings. Each week these provide students with verbal feedback from their tutors, so as to gauge their progress and gain ideas for future direction.

Students access Canvas to view videos, reference materials and communication tools. By accessing Canvas, students are informed in a wide range of material, from how to form their groups to how to prepare and develop their assessment tasks.

Being a capstone project, this online learning is then used as reference materials for use with tutorial and group meetings, where students are required to work collaboratively as a project team. They are guided and encouraged to have their own team meetings and thereby further develop the project. Students are encouraged to use collaborative technologies outside face-to-face meetings.

Content (topics)

  1. Case study background
  2. Advanced report writing
  3. Presentation techniques
  4. Group dynamics
  5. High-level design concepts

Assessment

Assessment task 1: Tutorial Mark (Individual)

Objective(s):

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

2

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

E.1

Type: Laboratory/practical
Groupwork: Individual
Weight: 5%

Assessment task 2: Assignment 1 (Individual and Group) - Research and Requirements Gathering

Objective(s):

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

1, 3 and 4

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

B.1 and C.1

Type: Report
Groupwork: Group, group and individually assessed
Weight: 15%
Length:

Part A - 2 to 3 pages for Requirements Analysis and 1 page for SWOT (Individual)

Part B - 5 pages for the completed templates for the team SWOT and report allocations (Group)

Assessment task 3: Assignment 2 (Group) - Initial Design

Objective(s):

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

1, 2, 3 and 4

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

B.1, C.1 and E.1

Type: Report
Groupwork: Group, group assessed
Weight: 15%
Length:

8 to 10 pages as per assignment sheet (team total)

Assessment task 4: Assignment 3 (Individual and Group) - Final Report and Presentation/Pitch

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, C.1 and E.1

Type: Report
Groupwork: Group, group and individually assessed
Weight: 65%
Length:

Report: The length of the body of the final report would be approximately 35 to 50 pages.

Presentation: 3-5 minute video.

Minimum requirements

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

References

McNurlin, Barbara C., Sprague, Ralph H. [2013]
Information Systems Management 8th Ed
Pearson Education, New Jersey

Pearson, Neil., Larson, Erik W., Gray,Clifford F. [2023]
Project Management in Practice 3rd Ed
McGraw Hill, Australia

Guffey, Mary E., Lowey, Dana [2015]
Business Communication 8th Ed
Cengage, Manson USA

Other resources

Soft copies of all outlines and assignments may be found at Canvas: https://canvas.uts.edu.au/