Module Details
The information contained in this module specification was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change, either during the session because of unforeseen circumstances, or following review of the module at the end of the session. Queries about the module should be directed to the member of staff with responsibility for the module.
Title Managing the Software Enterprise
Code CKIT521
Coordinator Prof FP Coenen
Computer Science
Coenen@liverpool.ac.uk
Year CATS Level Semester CATS Value
Session 2019-20 Level 7 FHEQ Whole Session 15

Aims

1. Develop skills to lead IT more effectively within the context of a larger organisation

2. Provide a strategic understanding of the role of IT within the organisation

3. Explore and debate critical isses related to managing and administering IT within the organisational context

4. Investigate the various functions that an IT organisation must perform, and the best ways to make decisions about how to perform these functions, particularly within the context of the organisational need

Learning Outcomes

(LO1) Assess the value of IT to an organisation

(LO2) Analyse key issues in IT budgeting

(LO3) Differentiate options in sourcing resources for an organisation with advantages and disadvantages

(LO4) Develop effective risk management approaches

(LO5) Explain why planning is important to IT organisations

(LO6) Assess the level of maturity of an IT organisation, and explain the factors that contribute to maturity

(LO7) Identify the key operational issues and capabilities required to deliver IT services and the role of standards

(LO8) Analyse the impact of Government regulation on IT

(S1) Skills in using technology - Online communications skills

(S2) Critical thinking and problem solving - Problem identification

(S3) Working in groups and teams - Time management

Syllabus
 

Week 1:  Introduction and Value of IT  
Topics: Critically discuss the evolution of Information Technology and its role in the organisation over the past forty years; Recognise and assess the dynamic nature of IT and the management challenges related to this high rate of change;  Analyse the dynamic interrelationship between business and IT strategy.

Week 2:  IT Strategy Implementation: The Technology Roadmap and Tactical Planning
Topics: Assess the challenges involved in implementing managing IT infrastructure and standards; Evaluate strategies used to deliver IT functionality to the organisation and be able to decide where and when to use these strategies.

Week 3:  IT Governance:  Budgets, Stages of IT Maturity, IT Portfolio Management  
Topics: Analyse the value of managing IT projects from a portfolio perspective; Determine key issues in IT budgeting; Assess IT maturity and understand the factors t hat contribute to a more mature IT organisation.

Week 4:  Acquiring Software:  Outsourcing, Vendor and Contract Management
Analyse the challenges in working with vendors and negotiating contracts; Evaluate the different options in sourcing and what the advantages/disadvantages and potential concerns with each are;  Explore alternative methods for acquiring software (buy vs build options).

Week 5:  Standards and Best Practice (ITIL, CoBIT, CMM etc)
Topics: Comparte frameworks for identifying, improving, managing and maturing core IT capabilities

Week 6:  IT Role in Compliance, Privacy and Legal Considerations  
Topics: Assess some of the major regulations and their significance; Analyse the impact of government regulation on IT; Evaluate ways that IT can support an effective policy and regulatory compliance programme.

Week 7:  Managing and Developing IT Capabilities:  Managing Risk and Cha nge  
Summarise the challenges IT faces in managing change from an organisational perspective; Analyse frameworks for identifying, improving, managing and maturing core IT capabilities; Evaluate IT-based risk management practices in the organisation.

Week 8: IT Innovation and Emerging Technologies  
Determine key issues related to IT use and management within the organisation as information technology continues to evolve; Explore the processes and practices organisations are using to investigate new ways of using IT; Assess how organisations are conceptualising and managing the new technologies such a social computing, web/cloud services.

Teaching and Learning Strategies

Teaching Method 1 - Virtual classroom hours (for online modules)
Description:
Attendance Recorded: Not yet decided
Notes: Number of hours per week, per student expected in the virtual classroom in discussion, dedicated to group work and individual assessment is 8.75.

Teaching Method 2 - Non-classroom hours (for online modules)
Description:
Attendance Recorded: Not yet decided
Notes: Number of hours per week, per student expected for reading, research and other individual work to support engagement in the classroom is 10.

Teaching Schedule
  Lectures Seminars Tutorials Lab Practicals Fieldwork Placement Other TOTAL
Study Hours           70

80

 150
Timetable (if known)              
Private Study 0
TOTAL HOURS 150

Assessment
EXAM Duration Timing
(Semester)		 % of
final
mark		 Resit/resubmission
opportunity		 Penalty for late
submission		 Notes
             
CONTINUOUS Duration Timing
(Semester)		 % of
final
mark		 Resit/resubmission
opportunity		 Penalty for late
submission		 Notes
Assessment 1 There is a resit opportunity. Standard UoL penalty applies for late submission. Assessment Schedule (When) :Whole Session  Weekly Discussion Qu    40       
Assessment 2 There is a resit opportunity. Standard UoL penalty applies for late submission. Assessment Schedule (When) :Whole Session  Weekly Hand in Assig    35       
Assessment 3 There is a resit opportunity. Assessment Schedule (When) :Whole Session  Weekly Group Project    25       

Recommended Texts
Reading lists are managed at readinglists.liverpool.ac.uk. Click here to access the reading lists for this module.