Academic Handbook BSc (Hons) Digital and Technology Solutions
Information Technology Consultant End-Point Assessment Course Descriptor
Last modified on October 11th, 2023 at 10:24 am
| Course Code | LISYS62111A | Discipline | Computing and Information Systems |
| UK Credit | 30 | US Credit | N/A |
| FHEQ Level | 6 | Date Approved | October 2023 |
| Core Attributes | |||
| Pre-Requisites | |||
| Co-Requisites | |||
Course Overview
Digital and Technology Solutions Professionals are found in organisations where digital technologies can be used to solve problems that exist across a range of functions. Whether looking for ways to reduce waste, increase productivity, ensure resilient and responsive customer service, or create a secure transactional environment, organisations turn to digital and technological solutions to achieve these aims. Wherever these activities take place Digital and Technology Solutions Professionals are influencing outcomes and making things happen.
An information technology consultant typically bridges the gap between users and technology:. They require a broad set of skills including business analysis, solutions development, network infrastructure, data, and cyber security. They use their consulting skills to get to the root of a problem and advise clients, both externally and internally, on how to best utilise technology to meet their business objectives, overcome problems and increase productivity. They provide strategic guidance and training to clients, both externally and internally, about digital and technology solutions. They facilitate changing business processes and improve structures and efficiency through enhancements to digital and technology solutions. They design, build and install innovative customer experiences using the latest technologies to win business for their organisation.
This course enables learners to demonstrate the occupational competencies of the role via a work-based project and a portfolio. The implementation of the course assessments will be in line with the https://www.instituteforapprenticeships.org/apprenticeship-standards/digital-and-technology-solutions-professional-v1-2
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
Knowledge and Understanding
| K1c | Plan and deliver a substantial individual project by applying a digital technology solutions and demonstrate a competitive advantage by adapting and exploiting i |
| K1c | Assess sustainable development approaches within digital technologies as they relate to their role including diversity and inclusion. |
| K1c | Evaluate the principles of change management within organisations. |
| K1c | Follow the ethical and legal requirements in client/provider relationships. |
| K2c | Evaluate the principles of strategic decision making concerning the acquisition or development of digital and technology solutions |
| K2c | Produce a project plan which estimates risks and opportunities and determines mitigation strategies. |
| K2c | Critically evaluate appropriate techniques and approaches that are used in creating a business case |
| K2c | Apply techniques to estimate cost and time resource constraints |
| K2c | Critically analyse the business problem behind the project proposal to identify the role of digital and technology solutions |
| K2c | Carry out the identified solution proposal utilising a range of digital tools and standard approaches |
| K2c | Critically evaluate the principles of different consulting methodologies |
| K2c | Critically analyse the barriers to solving problems or maximising opportunities |
| K2c | Demonstrate how consulting interfaces with project management, business analysis and business management. |
| K2c | Compare and contrast approaches to analytical and critical thinking to define business problems objectively and create value for the client |
| K2c | Apply questioning strategies and active listening to ensure all requirements are gathered. |
| K3c | Critically evaluate the nature and scope of common vulnerabilities in digital and technology solutions |
| K4c | Critically reflect on technical concepts for digital and technology solutions and their applicability to organisation’s standards; data gathering, data management,data analysis and computer networking concepts. |
| K4c | Demonstrate how teams work effectively to produce a digital and technology solution applying relevant organisational theories using up to date awareness of trends and innovations. |
| K4c | Critically evaluate the concepts and principles of leadership and management as they relate to their role and how they apply them |
| K4c | Critically analyse relevant evidence to produce a proposal for a digital and technology based project in line with legal, ethical and regulatory requirements whilst ensuring the protection of personal data, safety and security |
Subject Specific Skills
| S1c | Apply relevant legal, ethical, social and professional standards to digital and technology solutions considering both technical and non-technical audiences and in line with organisational guidelines. |
| S1c | Critically analyse the needs of clients to advise a strategic approach to improve business processes, provide new ideas and/or technology solutions. |
| S1c | Demonstrate presenting recommendations to stakeholders and influencing action, considering risks, costs and benefits. |
| S1c | Perform stakeholder analysis to identify, determine and deepen understanding of system requirements and develop client relationships. |
| S1c | Evaluate how to ensure legal and ethical requirements are accommodated in the development of digital and technology solutions |
| S1c | Evaluate the success of a new system, process, or initiative. |
| S1c | Effectively communicate value to the client through a variety of media in a professional setting through performing socio-technical process improvements in a range of environments. |
| S1c | Participate in walk-throughs for IT, to identify, document and evaluate key risks within a client’s organisation. |
| S1c | Evaluate how to effect change within an organisation through evaluation of a new system, process or initiative. |
| S3c | Demonstrate the use of core technical concepts for digital and technology solutions, including: Initiate, design, code, test and debug a software component for a digital and technology solution; security and resilience techniques and apply the principles of data analysis. |
Transferable and Employability Skills
| T1c | Present an overview of the project to appropriate stakeholders using appropriate language and style. |
| T1c | Display an advanced level of technical proficiency in written English and competence in applying scholarly terminology, so as to be able to apply skills in critical evaluation, analysis and judgement effectively in a diverse range of contexts. |
| T3c | Make meaningful conclusions on the basis of a long period of independent study. |
| T4c | Manage the project delivery to achieve digital and technology solutions. |
| T4c | Justify the methods of research and evaluation which determined the selection of digital and technology solutions identified for the project. |
Teaching and Learning
The contact hours on this course are formed predominantly of supervisory meetings, typically 4 x 1 hour.
Students 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)
- Independent study (4 hours per week) = 48 hours
Workplace assignments (see below) will be completed as part of on-the-job learning.
Indicative total learning hours for this course: 300
Assessment
Both formative and summative assessment are used as part of this course, with purely formative opportunities typically embedded within interactive teaching sessions, office hours, and/or the VLE.
Summative Assessments
| AE: | Assessment Activity | Weighting (%) | Duration | Length |
| 1 | Project report with presentation, questions and answers | 50% | 6000 word (report) & 60 minutes (presentation and Q&A) | |
| 2 | Professional discussion underpinned by a portfolio | 50% | 60 minutes |
Feedback
Students will receive formative and summative feedback in a variety of ways, written (e.g. marked up on assignments, through email or the VLE) or oral (e.g. as part of interactive teaching sessions or in office hours).
Indicative Reading
Note: Comprehensive and current reading lists are produced annually in the Course Syllabus or other documentation provided to students; the indicative reading list provided below is for a general guide and part of the approval/modification process only.
- Walliman, N., (2013), Your Undergraduate Dissertation: The Essential Guide for Success, London: Sage.
- Rugg, G., & Petre, M. (2006). A gentle guide to research methods. McGraw-Hill Education (UK).
- Berndtsson, M., Hansson, J., Olsson, B., & Lundell, B. (2007). Thesis projects: a guide for students in computer science and information systems. Springer Science & Business Media.
- Stephan Felix, M., & Smith, I. (2019). A practical guide to dissertation and thesis writing. Cambridge Scholars Publishing.
- Cerruti, C., Tavoletti, E. and Grieco, C., 2019. Management consulting: a review of fifty years of scholarly research. Management Research Review, 42(8), pp.902-925.
Indicative Topics
Note: Comprehensive and current topics for courses are produced annually in the Course Syllabus or other documentation provided to students; the indicative topics provided below is used as a general guide and part of the approval/modification process only.
- How to solve a technological problem based on an organisation’s problem
- Managing technology projects to a successful outcome
- Using real-world data and scenarios
Version History
| Title: LISYS62111A Information Technology Consultant End-Point Assessment Course Descriptor
Approved by: Academic Board Location: academic-handbook/digital-and-technology-solutions/ |
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| Version number | Date approved | Date published | Owner | Proposed next review date | Modification (As per AQF4) & category number |
| 1.0 | October 2023 | October 2023 | Dr Alexandrous Koliousis | October 2028 | |