Course coordinator
Dr Micheal Axelsen
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 1, 2025 (12/05/2025 - 20/06/2025)
- Study level
- Postgraduate Coursework
- Location
- Brisbane City
- Attendance mode
- Weekend
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Business School
This course provides students with the leadership skills needed in a sustainable digital enterprise. These skills include an understanding of the digital capabilities the business requires, an ability to design and configure the mechanisms of IT governance as a foundation for executing the business strategy, and an understanding of the implications of innovative information technologies for enterprises and their wider social context. Students are encouraged to develop a sense of digital ethics that goes beyond legislative requirements, and to apply strong critical thinking skills in assessing, evaluating, and considering information that supports evidence-based, ethical decision-making.
Information systems are ubiquitous and mission-critical to business in a growing global economy. However, the IT function within an organisation is often criticised for its inability to show real value to the organisation. IT managers have been criticised for solving "yesterday's" rather than "today's" or "tomorrow's" problems, or for following the 'Law of the Instrument' by using familiar tools and approaches to solve all manner of problems. That is, to an IT manager with their preferred 'hammer', everything looks like a nail.
BISM7808 Digitalising Business we take the strategic perspective of the general manager to study how leading firms leverage their IT investments, and use the information in their IT systems to make evidence-based decisions.
This course is undertaken in the weekend intensive mode. Each weekend will be full and complete, with opportunities to hear from guest speakers as possible and/or to work on course assessments in your teams or individually with the ability to seek guidance and feedback from the lecturer. This intensive course ends with a single Board Presentation Day where all teams present their cases to the class for Assessment 2.
Course requirements
Assumed background
BISM7808 Digitalising Business is a course that focuses on issues associated with management and leadership decision making related to an organisation’s information and communication technology infrastructure. Therefore, the course is not technical in nature and no specialist technical background or experience is assumed. However, it is assumed that students are familiar with commonly used personal productivity software such as Microsoft Office and Internet-enabled tools.
Incompatible
You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:
MGTS7808
Restrictions
GCBA, GDipBA, MBA
Course contact
Lecturer
Dr Micheal Axelsen
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Additional timetable information
Please note: Teaching staff do not have access to the timetabling system to help with class allocation. Therefore, should you need help with your timetable and/or allocation of classes, please ensure you email business.mytimetable@uq.edu.au from your UQ student email account with the following details:
- Full Name
- Student ID
- Course Code
Aims and outcomes
BISM7808 Digitalising Business is designed to introduce students to management, governance, and leadership issues associated with the deployment of IT resources within modern organisations. The course highlights the need for business and IT managers to be sensitive to the alignment of the governance and management of the IT function with business strategy, and provides a conceptual base for evidence-based decision making. Students will obtain practical insight into the use of these frameworks through case studies, where they will analyse current requirements to produce a set of suggestions to address various IT issues confronting modern organisations. Students will also gain practical skills in the evaluationﾠof data visualisation techniques applied toﾠbusiness problems.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Design and communicate a cohesive IT Governance framework that aligns with business needs.
LO2.
Evaluate innovative information technologies to identify transformative opportunities to create value.
LO3.
Work collaboratively with peers to analyse key IT governance issues and communicate strategic recommendations to stakeholders.
LO4.
Apply evidence-based ethical decision-making for information technology investments for an Indigenous community and reflect on the process.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation | Impact of Emerging Digital Technologies | 40% |
23/05/2025 3:00 pm |
| Presentation, Project |
IT Governance Mechanisms in Action Team Project
|
30% |
7/06/2025
During Class |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation | Ethical Decision Making Case Study | 30% Executive Briefing 20% and Explanatory Note 10% |
18/06/2025 3:00 pm |
Assessment details
Impact of Emerging Digital Technologies
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation
- Weight
- 40%
- Due date
23/05/2025 3:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L02
Task description
Analytical Report analysing and evaluating the potential impact of an innovative technology upon the student’s employer/ business (past, current, or prospective). The innovative information technology should be based on artificial intelligence. In some circumstances, alternative (but still innovative) information technologies may be considered with permission from the lecturer and where the student has a special interest.
The analysis considers the implications of the information technology in terms of the challenges and opportunities the technology presents, and the implications for the organisation’s ‘future readiness’ for digital transformation. This analysis should also address the organisation's wider social context in terms of the UN Sustainable Development Goals and its ethical, legal and social responsibilities.
You are to prepare a short briefing paper appropriate for presentation to the organisation's Board of Directors that make appropriate and well-reasoned recommendations. The recommendations aim to make the organisation more 'future ready' than it currently is. The enterprise may be any existing real-world enterprise. In practice, this might be the student's past or current employer, or perhaps a prospective future employer. The briefing presents specific and focussed recommendations (between 4 and 6 recommendations) that are actionable by the Board. At least two recommendations are to consider the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the organisation's ethical, legal, and social responsibilities.
The analysis should draw on analytical techniques discussed in seminars.
Key to success in this assessment that the Executive Briefing be clear and concise, and appropriate for its audience.
AI Statement
This task has been designed to be challenging, authentic and complex. Whilst students may use AI technologies, successful completion of this assessment in this course will require students to critically engage in specific contexts and tasks for which artificial intelligence will provide only limited support and guidance.
A failure to reference generative AI use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
To pass this assessment, students will be required to demonstrate detailed comprehension of their written submission independent of AI tools.
Submission guidelines
Submit via TurnItIn on Learn.UQ in the Assessment link.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
IT Governance Mechanisms in Action Team Project
- Team or group-based
- Mode
- Oral, Product/ Artefact/ Multimedia
- Category
- Presentation, Project
- Weight
- 30%
- Due date
7/06/2025
During Class
- Other conditions
- Peer assessment factor.
Task description
Team presentation of 15 minutes that gives recommendations on a specific case to a Board/high level committee. This presentation is followed by an interactive question-and-answer session probing the group’s recommendations and their implications.
Students are allocated by the lecturer to teams of 3-5 students, and are to present a strategic direction forward for the organisation to the class that addresses challenges and issues apparent in the case. Prospective cases are identified in class and through Learn.UQ, and cases are allocated to groups according to preferences where possible.
This assessment has three aspects.
- The team should present and summarise the key challenges and issues identified as arising from the case.
- The team should present a strategic direction forward for the organisation that makes recommendations regarding IT governance mechanisms and strategy choices to the executive audience indicated by the case. These recommendations are informed by the organisational context of the case as discussed in seminars.
- After the 15 minute presentation, the team leads a question-and-answer discussion with other students (acting in the role of the Board) for up to 10 minutes.
The presentation requires the audience to act and participate as stakeholders of the organisation discussed in the case. All presentation materials are to be submitted by the end of the teaching session in which the presentation is made. As a team project, an individual peer assessment factor is applied to the team mark to calculate each team member's own individual mark to represent each team member's relative contribution to the project outcome.
AI Statement
This task has been designed to be challenging, authentic and complex. Whilst students may use AI technologies, successful completion of assessment in this course will require students to critically engage in specific contexts and tasks for which artificial intelligence will provide only limited support and guidance.
A failure to reference generative AI use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
To pass this assessment, students will be required to demonstrate detailed comprehension of their written submission independent of AI tools.
Submission guidelines
Submit via TurnItIn on Learn.UQ in the Assessment link. All presentation materials are to be submitted by the end of the teaching session in which the presentation is made. As a team project, an individual peer assessment factor is applied to the team mark to calculate each team member's own individual mark to represent each team member's relative contribution to the project outcome.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
Extensions or deferrals are not available for this presentation due to the intensive nature of the course. An extension may be available for the submitted material only.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
10% Late Penalty applies to submitted material only. Late submissions are not accepted for in-class presentations. Failure to present at the scheduled time will result in a mark of zero for the presentation portion of this assessment.
Ethical Decision Making Case Study
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation
- Weight
- 30% Executive Briefing 20% and Explanatory Note 10%
- Due date
18/06/2025 3:00 pm
Task description
This assessment has two parts.
Part 1: Executive Briefing - Commissioning Technological Services in an Indigenous Community (20% individual)
An executive briefing that considers and develops a framework for the commissioning of technologically-based services in an Indigenous Community. The framework relates to a case study scenario based on an Indigenous organisation. The framework identifies the key elements that need to be considered in replicating this particular technology service model into a new Indigenous community setting.
Part 2: Explanatory Note (10% individual)
An Explanatory Note in the form of a reflection that supports and explains key decision points in considering and developing the framework, and reflects upon key personal learnings developed in preparing the Executive Briefing.
AI Statement
This task has been designed to be challenging, authentic and complex. Whilst students may use AI technologies, successful completion of assessment in this course will require students to critically engage in specific contexts and tasks for which artificial intelligence will provide only limited support and guidance.
A failure to reference generative AI use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
To pass this assessment, students will be required to demonstrate detailed comprehension of their written submission independent of AI tools.
Submission guidelines
Submit via TurnItIn on Learn.UQ in the Assessment link.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 0 - 29 |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 2 (Fail) | 30 - 46 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 47 - 49 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - 64 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 5 (Credit) | 65 - 74 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75 - 84 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
Additional course grading information
Grades will be allocated according to University-wide standards of criterion-based assessment.
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Find the required and recommended resources for this course on the UQ Library website.
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
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| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Seminar |
Day 1 - Saturday 26/4 Session 1 - Introduction to Digitalising Business: In this seminar we will introduce the student to the course and clarify student and staff expectations. We will then introduce the three pillars of knowledge underpinning this course: the role of Information Technology governance, the assessment of digital capabilities at the enterprise level, and preparing the organisation for the impacts of emerging technologies. We will conclude by forming teams and setting a framework of expectations for teamwork. Session 2 - Role of IT Governance: In this seminar we will discuss the purpose of IT governance and its importance in ensuring organisations deliver value from their IT investments in an ethical manner and addressing their regulatory requirements. Session 3 - Innovative Information Technologies: In this seminar we will consider the potential for business disruption from emerging technologies with a focus on the role and impact of artificial intelligence technologies in business. |
|
Seminar |
Day 2 - Sunday 27/4 Session 1 - Future Readiness and IT Innovation: In this seminar we will present approaches to the assessment of the impact of innovative information technologies on digital business models, and particularly the organisation's 'future readiness'. Session 2 - Design Considerations in IT Governance: In this seminar we will introduce the Foundation for Execution as a basis for evaluating the alignment of business requirements with IT capabilities and identifying principles in selecting governance mechanisms that match to the organisation. |
|
Seminar |
Day 3 - Saturday 24/5 Session 1 - Alignment of Enterprise IT Architecture with the Business Operating Model: In this seminar we will consider the importance of aligning the Enterprise IT Architecture with the Business requirements, Operating Model, and introduce the Business Engagement Model perspective to help with achieving this alignment. Session 2 - Governance Mechanisms for Planning and Building Information Technology Investments: In this seminar we will introduce governance mechanisms for planning which information technology investments to make, and for designing, implementing, and building new information systems. Session 3 - Governance Mechanisms for Delivering and Monitoring IT Services: In this seminar we will introduce governance mechanisms for the day-to-day delivery of information technology services and for monitoring their performance in terms of efficiency and effectiveness. |
|
Seminar |
Day 4 - Sunday 25/5 Session 1 - Digital Capabilities: In this seminar we will set out a framework for identifying and assessing the key digital capabilities at the organisational level that ensure the alignment of business requirements and IT capabilities. These digital capabilities are established in consideration of the organisation's wider social context. Session 2 - Evaluating Digital Capabilities: In this seminar we will set out frameworks for assessing and evaluating the present state of digital capabilities in comparison with business requirements. |
|
Seminar |
Day 5 - Saturday 7/6 Session 1 - Board Presentation Day: In this activity we will hear presentations from all teams in addressing the case assigned to them for the IT Governance Mechanisms in Action Team Project assessment. Session 2 - Review and Conclusion of Digitalising Business: In this seminar we will how the course addressed expectations, and end the course with a final review of the topics addressed, key learnings arising from the course (including a consideration of the potential impact of the course upon student practice). The course concludes with a consideration of the next steps in finalising the course assessment(s) and a final activity. |
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments - Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.