IT Business Strategy and Lifecycle Course Descriptor

Course Summary

The first half of the course focuses on how to develop strategic plans for implementing IT change. Learners will understand how to perform strategic analysis to identify new opportunities, build the case for change and develop technology roadmaps to plan and manage the change vision. The second half of the course focuses on requirements gathering: processes and practice. The interaction with stakeholders and management of change projects is examined throughout the project lifecycle. Critical analysis of case studies and theoretical concepts underpin the course.

Course Aims

• Train learners in the requirements of gathering for IT solutions.
• Train learners to critically assess and select IT architecture and software in business contexts.
• Train learners to manage the technology change delivery.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of the course, learners will be able to:

Knowledge and Understanding

Subject Specific Skills

Transferable and Professional Skills

Teaching and Learning

This is an e-learning course, taught throughout the year. 

This course can be offered as a standalone short course.

Teaching and learning strategies for this course will include: 

• Online learning
• Online discussion groups
• Online assessment

Course information and supplementary materials will be available on the University’s Virtual Learning Environment (VLE).

Learners are required to attend and participate in all the formal and timetabled sessions for this course. Learners are also expected to manage their self-directed learning and independent study in support of the course.

The course learning and teaching hours will be structured as follows:

• Off-the-job learning and teaching (12 days x 7 hours) = 84 hours
• On-the-job learning (24 days x 7 hours) = 168 hours (e.g. 2 days per week for 12 weeks)
• Private study (4 hours per week) = 48 hours

Total = 300 hours

Workplace assignments (see below) will be completed as part of on-the-job learning.

Assessment

Formative

Learners will be formatively assessed during the course by means of set assignments. These will not count towards the final degree but will provide learners with developmental feedback. 

Summative

Feedback

Learners will receive formal feedback in a variety of ways: written (via email or VLE correspondence) and indirectly through online discussion groups. Learners will also attend a formal meeting with their Academic Mentor (and for apprentices, including their Line Manager). These bi or tri-partite reviews will monitor and evaluate the learner’s progress.  

Feedback is provided on summative assessment and is made available to the student either via email, the VLE or another appropriate method.

Indicative Reading

Note: Comprehensive and current reading lists for courses are produced annually in the Course Syllabus or other documentation provided to learners; the indicative reading list provided below is used as part of the approval/modification process only.

Books

• High, P. (2014). Implementing A World Class IT Strategy: How it can Drive Organisational Innovation. Jossey-Bass
• Dyche, J. (2015). The New IT How Technology Leaders are Enabling Business Strategy in the Digital Age. McGraw- Hill Education
• Kourdi, J. (2015). Business Strategy: A Guide to Effective Decision Making. London : The Economist

Journals

Learners are encouraged to read material from relevant journals on IT business strategy and the project lifecycle as directed by their course leader.

Electronic Resources

Learners are encouraged to consult relevant websites on IT business strategy and the project lifecycle.

Indicative Topics

• Stakeholder requirements
• IT change solutions
• IT project lifecycle