Managing Change for IS Professionals

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2012:

One 3-hour seminar per week.

Students who are enrolled in the two year 200 point Master of Information Systems must have completed 50 points of study to enrol in this subject.

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For the purposes of considering requests for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements for this entry.

The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

The development and implementation of information systems is both a catalyst for, and a response to, organisational change. In this subject, the interrelationship between information systems and organisational change is examined from both theoretical and practical perspectives. Several change management theories and models are investigated in depth with an analysis of their applicability, benefits, risks and impacts. Topics discussed include the drivers of organisational change; the nature of change; the relationship of improvisation and innovation to change; strategies for managing change; and the difference between well-tested methods and popular fads for managing change.

Upon completion of this subject, students should:

• understand the reciprocal relationship between IS and organisational change;
• be aware of the importance of interpersonal relationships in the role of an effective IS practitioner;
• be familiar with a range of change management theories and models;
• develop a change management strategy;
• understand the issues involved in building a successful IS team.

An individual report of 2000 words due in the first half of semester (20%); a group report of 3000 words due in the second half of the semester (25%); a reading leaders report of 1000 words and a brief class presentation (10 minutes) to be scheduled throughout the semester (15%); a 2-hour written examination in the examination period (40%).

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This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Students should acquire a range of generic skills. They should:

• Develop analytical skills in diagnosing organisational problems
• Apply the concepts and theories of organisational change to practical situations
• Develop problem solving skills using change management models