IS Strategy and Governance

This subject is not offered in 2014.

200 hours

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

None

None

None

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

Aims

Strategic alignment of ICT and business is critical to the competitive positioning of organisations. ICT governance deals with all aspects of the formulation and implementation of ICT management plans, including ICT strategic plans. This subject discusses approaches to the formulation and development of ICT strategies. Topics covered include analysing an organisation’s operating model, ICT governance arrangements and ICT governance policy framework, and maturity in the adoption of enterprise architectures. Students are expected to become familiar with current ICT governance frameworks and their implications for developing ICT governance plans.

Indicative Content

Topics covered in the subject include: critical and strategic thinking, modes of strategic planning, ICT strategic frameworks, ICT Governance frameworks, ICT Governance policy documents, ICT Governance design frameworks, ICT Governance arrangements, models of organisational decision making, operating models, relationship of ICT Governance design to the development of enterprise architectures, ICT Governance design methodologies, and value creation through ICT Governance design and implementation.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILO)

On completion of this subject the student is expected to:

1. Engage in the process of ICT strategic planning and the critical review of ICT strategic plans
2. Demonstrate an understanding of the roles of ICT strategic planning in the formulation of ICT governance plans
3. Apply the principles and methodologies found in current ICT governance frameworks to the development of ICT governance plans for an organisation
4. Critically analyse the ICT plans of an organisation to determine of maturity of ICT governance within that organisation
5. Demonstrate an understanding of the relationships between ICT governance planning and the development of an enterprise architecture

• One individual report - analysis of an ICT strategic plan, due mid semester (40%). Addresses Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) 1 & 4.
• One group report - development of an ICT governance plan, due end semester (60%) (ILOs 2, 3 & 5)

The assessment of the group report will include a short group presentation, worth 10% of the total assessment of the subject.

There are no prescribed texts for this subject. A book of readings will be provided and frequent references will be made to: Ross, JW; Weill, P & Robertson, DC 2006 Enterprise Architecture as Strategy:Creating a foundation for business executives, Harvard Business School Press

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

On completion of this subject, students should have developed the following generic skills:

• Literature searching and analysis
• Critical and strategic thinking
• Case study analysis
• Independent learning
• Team work
• Report writing

Learning and Teaching Methods

The subject is delivered in 4 hour classes, with a range of lectures, tutorial and workshop style teaching, as a whole class, individually and in small groups. Outside class students are expected to read supporting material and cases, and work together in small group-related activities.

Indicative Key Learning Resources

A range of reading material, including articles and case studies will be cited and made available electronically during the course.

Careers/Industry Links

This subject is relevant to careers as IT managers, IT investment planners, IT consultants and IT strategists. The two assessment components require the students to analyse business case studies from their own selected fields of interest.