Course coordinator
Dr Mark Bremhorst
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 2, 2024 (06/09/2024 - 04/11/2024)
- Study level
- Postgraduate Coursework
- Location
- Brisbane City
- Attendance mode
- Weekend
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Business School
In the current business environment, Information Communication Technology (ICT) is recognised as not only supporting current business strategies but providing opportunities to competitively shape them. ICT Leadership within organisations in modern organisations requires a diverse understanding of business strategy, internal and external stakeholders, business operations, prevailing organisational social climate, firm's current IT environment, and future ICT trends that can support or shape organisational strategy.
Furthermore, ICT executives must utilise analytic and forecasting capabilities to plan and manage a complex portfolio of ICT investments successfully, through the evaluation of the impact and performance of these investments over time. A central concern of these ICT investments is the provision of high-quality information services at multiple points across an organisation's supply and value chains to improve operational and strategic outcomes. Hence, this course aims to provide a strategic understanding of the benefits, issues, risks, and limitations of ICT's role in the provision of integrated information services and systems in sympathy with business requirements from both leadership and management perspectives.
Information systems are ubiquitous and mission-critical to business in a growing global economy. They are responsible for coordinating, sequencing, and controlling both supply and demand-sides of the business value chain, and are necessary in building better relationships and communications infrastructures with internal and external stakeholders across what would have been traditional barriers.
However, the IT function within an organisation is often criticised for its inability to show real value to the organisation. High profile projects may never reach fruition and when they do, they are criticised because they are late and unable to satisfy business expectations. IT spend may account for a considerable amount of the company's investment capital outlay and yet little contribution to profit can be attributed directly to IT. IT managers have been criticised for solving "yesterday's" rather than "today's" or "tomorrow's" problems, or placing too much emphasis on a solution and searching for a problem. While this position has improved over 40 years of business computing, many IT and business managers remain focussed upon the technology rather than what the technology can do for the business. This leads to a situation where the true potential of IT within the enterprise is never realised and never leveraged, placing IT in the back seat as far as corporate strategy and decision-making is concerned.
BISM7808 IT for Business Value seeks to describe how an organisation's IT infrastructure can be deployed in such a way that it becomes a "value centre" that aids the organisation's prevailing business strategy. The course examines how managers can use information systems and services to enable strategy and get more business value out of IT. In this course 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. The course centres on IT leadership and IT governance rather than the more ‘technical’ aspects of information technology.
Course requirements
Assumed background
BISM7808 IT for Business Value is a course that focuses on issues associated with management and leadership decision making related to anﾠorganisation's information and communication technology infrastructure. Therefore, the course is not technical in nature and no specialist technical background or experience is assumed.ﾠ However, it is assumed that students are familiar with commonly used personal productivity software such as Microsoft Office and Internet-enabled tools.ﾠ
Recommended prerequisites
We recommend completing the following courses before enrolling in this one:
MGTS7801 and MGTS7803
Incompatible
You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:
MGTS7070 or 7808
Restrictions
GCBA, GDipBA, MBA
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Dr Mark Bremhorst
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 Information Technology for Business Value 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.
Analyse critically and apply prominent theories and models that relate to ICT business value.
LO2.
Assess the fit between the IT enterprise architecture and the business operating model and identify strategies for improved business/IT alignment.
LO3.
Build your ability to work in teams together to critically examine the governance and management of ICT in the enterprise and make recommendations to senior management in the enterprise.
LO4.
Evaluate the data visualisation of data and interpret that data in support of an evidence-based management culture.
LO5.
Evaluate strategic opportunities, viability, and threats arising in the digital economy to inform the development of strategies for delivering business value from ICT.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Presentation, Project |
IT Governance Mechanisms in Action Team Project
|
30% |
20/10/2024 |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation | Executive Briefing: Information Technology Impact | 40% |
4/11/2024 3:00 pm |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation | Data Visualisation Evaluation | 30% |
11/11/2024 3:00 pm |
Assessment details
IT Governance Mechanisms in Action Team Project
- Team or group-based
- In-person
- Mode
- Oral, Product/ Artefact/ Multimedia
- Category
- Presentation, Project
- Weight
- 30%
- Due date
20/10/2024
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03
Task description
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. Cases will be identified in class and through Learn.UQ. This assessment has three aspects.
First, the team should present and summarise the key challenges and issues identified as arising from the case.
Second, 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.
Third, 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 last scheduled day of classwork is devoted to the Board Presentation.
The first and second aspects (summary and strategic direction forward) should be presented in an approximately 15 minute presentation. The structured presentation requires the audience to act and participate as stakeholders of the organisation discussed in the case (that is, class members act as board members or stakeholders as described in the case scenario). All presentation materials are to be submitted by the end of the teaching day.
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.
Executive Briefing: Information Technology Impact
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation
- Weight
- 40%
- Due date
4/11/2024 3:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L05
Task description
You are to write an Executive Briefing that assesses the impact and implications for the organisation of one of three innovative information technologies for an organisation of interest to the student. In some circumstances, alternative information technologies may be assessed with permission from the lecturer. The technology to be considered is one of blockchain, artificial intelligence, or business process automation. You are to prepare a short briefing paper appropriate for presentation to the organisation's Board of Directors that make recommendations appropriate to the scenario that 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 current employer, or perhaps a targeted future employer.
The Executive Briefing provides an introduction followed by a short background of the organisation. As a briefing, no Executive Summary is required. The briefing then describes the information technology for a non-IT literate audience. The report then analyses the prospective impact of the technology's adoption upon the relevant industry and its implications for industry participants (including the organisation). These implications are analysed to develop recommendations that improve the future-readiness of the organisation for adoption of the information technology within the industry. The briefing presents specific and focussed recommendations (between 4 and 6 recommendations) that are actionable by the Board.
These recommendations are to include priority (top 3) changes to existing IT governance and management practices.
The analysis should draw on analytical techniques discussed in seminars.
Note that even if the organisation were not to adopt the information technology, its adoption by the wider industry would require the organisation to make changes that make the organisation more 'future ready'.
The challenges, analysis, and recommendations are to be supported by current research.
Key to success in this assessment is the description of the technological elements, analysis of the value proposition and impacts/risks (or potential impacts/risks) upon the entity, and the development of recommendations from the analysis. In your analysis, consider a specific example of how the information technology is or might be used (going into some detail into a specific example). You should aim to describe and analyse actual events that have either happened or are unfolding now through current real-world examples. Finally, it is important that the Executive Briefing be clear and concise. Key points may be bolded, and/or the briefing may be presented in dot point format (but it must be structured and coherent if this approach is adopted).
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.
Data Visualisation Evaluation
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation
- Weight
- 30%
- Due date
11/11/2024 3:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L04
Task description
This assessment task is an individual report that evaluates the data visualisations used by two real-world business reports and compares and contrast those reports in their use of data visualisations. The criteria discussed for good data visualisations in seminars provide a basis for the evaluation. Outstanding reports will extend the criteria, or apply other criteria as needed for the context. The evaluation is to conclude which of the reports is more 'trustworthy', and why.
Three real-world business reports are provided. From these three reports, two are selected for evaluation. The report is structured, with an introduction that sets out the scope, purpose, and structure of the report. The criteria and approach used for the evaluation are then set out. Each report is to then be evaluated according to the approach set out. Finally, the two reports are to then be compared for 'trustworthiness', with an overall and final conclusion provided at the end of the report as to which - if any - is the more 'trustworthy'. The conclusion is to be supported by argumentation and research.
Key to success with this assessment task is succinct and structured analysis and clear application of relevant criteria to the evaluation and comparison of the data visualisations used in the reports. These criteria are informed by the framework(s) discussed in class and, in outstanding cases, extended by the student as relevant to the evaluation.
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.
Own copy required
You'll need to have your own copy of the following reading resources. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Webpage |
Harvard business review
by Harvard Business School Publisher: Harvard Business Business School Publishing Inc |
| Book |
Transformational leadership and not for profits and social enterprises
Publisher: Routledge ISBN: 9781315468570; 9781138204829; 9780367355494; 9781315468556 |
| Book |
Business Technology Organization: Managing Digital Information Technology for Value Creation - The SIGMA Approach
by Morabito; Vincenzo - 2013 Publisher: Springer ISBN: 9783642326974; 9783642326981 |
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
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Week 1 |
Seminar |
Saturday 21/09 - 9:00AM to 11AM: Introduction to the Business Value of IT
Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Seminar |
Saturday 21/09 - 11:30AM to 1:30PM: IT Governance for the Enterprise
Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
|
Seminar |
Saturday 21/09 - 2:30PM to 3:45PM: Business/IT Alignment
Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
|
General contact hours |
Saturday 21/09 - 4:00PM to 5:00PM: Case Study Class time allocated to assessment activities. |
|
Seminar |
Sunday 22/09 - 9:00AM to 11AM: Planning and Building IT Value
Learning outcomes: L03, L05 |
|
Seminar |
Sunday 22/09 - 11:30AM to 1:30PM: Technology Impacts
Learning outcomes: L05 |
|
Case-based learning |
Sunday 22/09 - 2:30PM to 3:45PM: Case Study Class time allocated to assessment activities. |
|
General contact hours |
Sunday 22/09 - 4:00PM to 5:00PM: Case Study Group planning time Learning outcomes: L05 |
|
Week 2 |
Seminar |
Saturday 5/10 - 9:00AM to 11:00AM: Innovative IT and the Business
Learning outcomes: L01, L05 |
Seminar |
Saturday 5/10 - 11:30AM to 1:30PM: IT Service Delivery, Cyber Security, and Monitoring
Learning outcomes: L03, L05 |
|
Case-based learning |
Saturday 5/10 - 2:30PM to 3:45PM: Case Study Class time allocated to assessment activities. |
|
General contact hours |
Saturday 5/10 - 4:00PM to 5:00PM: IT Leadership (Presentation) Guest speaker Learning outcomes: L02 |
|
Week 3 |
Seminar |
Saturday 19/10 - 9:00AM to 11:00AM: Leading and Managing for IT Change
Learning outcomes: L03, L05 |
Seminar |
Saturday 19/10 - 11:30AM to 1:30PM: Data Governance, Quality, and Privacy
Learning outcomes: L04, L05 |
|
Seminar |
Saturday 19/10 - 2:30PM to 3:45PM: Data Analytics and Visualisation
Learning outcomes: L04, L05 |
|
General contact hours |
Saturday 19/10 - 4:00PM to 5:00PM: Data Visualisation and Business (Presentation) Guest speaker Learning outcomes: L04, L05 |
|
General contact hours |
Sunday 20/10 - 9:00AM to 3:45PM: Board Presentation Day Group Presentations (For Assessment) Learning outcomes: L02, L03, L05 |
|
Seminar |
Sunday 20/10 - 4:00PM to 5:00PM: Course Review: Practical Changes
Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
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.