• The aim of this module is to develop a student's ability to reflect on the application of research approaches and be able to communicate research findings in a suitable format for dissemination, appropriate to postgraduate level.
• It will prove particularly valuable to students who have been away from formal education for some time but, nevertheless, will also be a helpful reminder to those who have having studied more recently.
• Students are encouraged to plan for a methodical approach to their studies and are introduced to, or reminded of, tactics that will help achieve success in the course.
• The concept of academic research is introduced and accepted practice in reviewing literature is discussed, which will not only prove valuable for completing assignments but also as a foundation for those who aspire to progress to the MSc stage.
• As a basis for implementing these techniques and as an introduction to studying the other programme modules, frameworks for viewing the holistic nature of business and IT are introduced leading to an introduction and discussion of current and future developments in IT support for business activities.

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and Understanding

1. Demonstrate an understanding of different categories of sources of information and their usage in research.
2. Discuss the contribution of IT to enhancing business performance.
3. Demonstrate an awareness of the range and variety of technologies that support organisations.

Intellectual Skills

1. Critically appraise the quality of a variety of given information sources.  
2. Demonstrate an ability to select a suitable topic for investigation, appreciate its relationship with current developments in IT, and define clear research objectives.  
3. Critically evaluate the results of a literature survey.  
4. Critically appraise presentations in a suitable manner as part of peer review.  
5. Argue the case for a socio-technical approach to studying Information Systems.  
6. Critically examine the different theoretical frameworks for understanding the systems approach to organisations.  
7. Critically examine and evaluate a variety of new technologies and their benefits to organisations.  

Practical Skills  

1. Schedule an effective study plan.  
2. Systematically organise and interpret data obtained during the course of the project.  
3. Demonstrate the ability to apply theoretical frameworks to real-world situations.  

Transferable Skills

1. Work effectively as part of a team.
2. Undertake self directed study.
3. Produce an effective visual presentation using appropriate application software package.

Module 2: Enterprise Software and Business Infrastructure

This module aims to give an overall view of how information technology is used within industrial enterprises, what is meant by "enterprise software" and how it is incorporated within the underlying IT infrastructure. This includes the application of computing functions in various product processes (new product development, customer ordering and satisfaction) and their main support processes (marketing and material processes). Understanding the relevance of enterprise information systems architectures and how systems such as enterprise wide information systems, product data management (PDM) systems, enterprise requirements planning (ERP) systems, data warehousing/business intelligence and enterprise application integration (EAI) systems fit into these architectures are explored.

Also topics such as message parsing, middleware, service orientation and IT governance are examined in more detail as they form a significant part of modern IT infrastructure and budgets.

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and Understanding

1. Critically appraise the role of business wide systems to support business strategy. Evaluating/selecting the main suppliers, products and application domains of enterprise wide packages.  
2. Evaluate the scale and complexity of enterprise system packages, appraising the benefits and opportunities that such systems provide to both large enterprises and SME's.  
3. Compare and contrast the integrative roles of enterprise systems for information within the organisational context and critically analyse which components of an enterprise software system should work together.  

Intellectual Skills  

1. Critically appraise the role of enterprise systems as part of the larger IT infrastructure of large scale organisations.  

Practical Skills

1. Develop and devise plans for infrastructure support of enterprise software and other requirements of a commercial organisation, selecting the implementation variables, individual variables and contextual variables that interact to influence a successful system implementation.

Transferable Skills

1. Critically analyse data from a variety of sources to arrive at a conclusion.

Module 3: Strategic Information Systems Analysis

Today, information systems (IS) are an essential asset in most if not all organisations; whether for profit or not-for-profit. With the ever increasing pace of technological change, being able to operate effectively in such an environment is a pre-requisite for managers in the twenty-first century. Organisations which make the most effective use of IS are those which fully integrate IS strategy with their business strategy.

This module aims to equip students with the concept of strategic information systems and how they may be deployed and managed in such a way that supports, enhances, and is consistent with the overall business strategy.

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and Understanding

1. Discuss the role of management, particularly at the strategic level.
2. Discuss the need for an IS strategy and why it should be aligned to an oganization’s business strategy.
3. Recognize the contribution of new technologies to an organization’s competitive advantage.
4. Appreciate the need for effective IS resource investment and management.

Intellectual Skills

1. Critically appraise the role of IS in supporting managerial decision-making.
2. Evaluate the information strategy of a commercial or public organisation.
3. Critically appraise the appropriateness of an information strategy for an organisation.
4. Evaluate strategic IS planning frameworks in terms of their business impact.
5. Justify the investment in an IS in relation to the organisational benefits realised.
6. Develop an appropriate IS resource management strategy for a given organisational situation.
7. Critically evaluate the different alternatives for IS acquisition.

Practical Skills

1. Identify and apply relevant IS performance measures.  
2. Classify frameworks and techniques which support approaches to IS strategy planning  
3. Formulate an IS strategy plan using appropriate frameworks for a given organisation.  

Transferable Skills

1. Apply acquired knowledge in a new context.  
2. Perform effectively as part of a group.  
3. Produce concise and well argued written reports.  

Module 4: Project Management

The aim of this module is to provide students with the knowledge and skills to manage and control IT projects in a commercial environment. The complexity and breadth of project management is explored from the viewpoint of all the stakeholders. The module structure follows that of a traditional software project Iife-cycle, exploring issues of uncertainty, resource management, communication and the project manager's role. The module also covers issues such as risk analysis, quality assurance, benchmarking, contracting, out sourcing, estimating, costing, budgeting, problem solving and decision-making.

In particular the module encourages students to;

• Evaluate different approaches to design, problem solving and decision making. This includes the capacity to evaluate key influencing factors, incomplete data, creative solutions, assumptions, and detect false reasoning.
• Problem solve both technical and human resource problems and negotiate difficult situations creating a positive outcome for the majority of stakeholders.
• Conduct research both individually and as a team into business problems and potential technical solutions.

Learning Outcomes
  
Knowledge and Understanding 

1. Develop knowledge and appreciation of the processes of project selection.  
2. Demonstrate the knowledge and critical understanding of the process of building a business case for an IT project.  
3. Demonstrate the ability to develop and evaluate both risk and quality plans.  
4. Demonstrate project planning as ongoing and dynamic in nature.  
5. Develop a critical awareness of the complexities with project team building processes.  
6. Demonstration of knowledge and understanding of project closure.  
7. Develop an understanding and critical awareness of project process improvement and project software process maturity models.  

Intellectual Skills  

1. Critically evaluate and apply critical understanding to project management principles.  
2. Critically evaluate and apply research strategy to a project management case study.  
3. Evaluate the uncertainty within the project management function.  
4. The critical analysis and application of project management tools and techniques when developing a software development.
5. Research and evaluation of key influencing factors in a complex environment.  

Practical Skills 

1. Microsoft project.  
2. Project planning including resource management.  
3. Developing a risk assessment for a software development.  
4. Building a quality assurance and quality conformance activities into a Software development project plan.  

Transferable Skills  

1. Communication skills including the presentation of complex ideas to a range of differing audiences.  
2. Synthesizing and analyzing to order to reach a decision in an uncertain environment.  
3. Problem solving skills, selection and application of appropriate techniques.  

Research Methodology

This unit is written to promote an appreciation of the theory of Strategic Information Systems and an understanding of methods of research appropriate to issues/problems concerning such Information Systems.

Objectives
On successful completion of this unit, students should be able to: -

• select and justify a research method appropriate to an issue/problem in the domain of Strategic Information Systems.
• use a software tool (e.g. MS Excel) to analyze statistical data.
  prepare a report, describing a problem/issue of a strategic nature in an organization or industry, and evaluating an appropriate method to research and analyze the problem.

Dissertation

Exposes students to a significant project that needs management under real world constraints. Promotes good project management and research skills, both in terms of dealing with a real world problem environment and the academic support required to underpin any proposed solution. Develops written reporting skills in a focused and supportive environment. Provides opportunities to liase and relate to external 'clients' in a commercial, industrial or academic environment.

Promotes the integration and enhancement of all the theoretical and practical skills developed during the taught course.

Objectives
On successful completion of this unit, students should be able to: -

• analyze and solve a significant practical or theoretical problem arising out of the material in your current programme of studies.
• plan and manage a significant project over an extended period of time.
• evaluate research material effectively in the solution of the problem.
• produce a written academic report of the project activities.
  

Project Supervision
Students will be allocated a supervisor who is very experienced, who has supervised many projects and who knows the required standard and the difficulty of the task. The university will try to match students with a supervisor who has some knowledge or interest in the project idea even though they may not be expert in all aspects of the work. The supervisor’s role is to guide students through the project process and help students should they have problems.