Module Guide 2014/15

School of Computer Science

Module Title: Strategic Information Systems Planning and Management
(Online)
Module code: 6COM1001/1005
Semester: B
Number of Credits: 30
Module Leader: Mike Pickup
Introduction to the module
Strategic Information Systems Planning and Management is a 30 credit module
that runs throughout one semester. The module considers the current thinking
surrounding the development and implementation of information strategies, and
their relationship to the strategic frameworks of organizations. You will be
introduced to some new concepts, others you will revisit, particularly from your
business or information systems background.
We will be exploring ways in which strategic decisions are made, techniques and
how frameworks are used to help formulate information strategies and identify
issues surrounding the implementation of an IS/IT strategy. We will also be
examining the need to manage change in organizations and investigate
conditions, factors, and tools that can help ensure successful change when
implementing IS/IT strategies.

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1. Module Tutor(s) (The Module Leader is the first-named person):

Name

Room

Tel

Email

Preferred Mode
of Contact

Mike Pickup

m.pickup@herts.ac.uk

Amanda Jefferies

a.l.jefferies@herts.ac.u
k

StudyNet
Discussion board,
e-mail
StudyNet
Discussion board,
e-mail.

2. Module Aims
Appreciate the need for a corporate information strategy in an organisation and the
contribution that the effective management of information, systems and technology

makes to the competitive success of the organisation;

Appreciate current developments in Information Systems/Information Technology
(IS/IT), their implications for information strategies and the need to manage strategic

organisational change;
Gain an understanding of methods and models for developing and aligning the

information strategy to the business strategy;

Gain an understanding of corporate resource implications associated with sustainable
information strategies.

3. Module Learning Outcomes

Have a knowledge and understanding of:
(LO1) The contribution that effective strategic management of information, information
systems and information technology can make in enabling organisations to operate more
flexibly, and more competitively, in the global environment;
(LO2) Current developments in IS/IT influencing organisations to change and the essential
elements needed to ensure successful strategic change management.
Be able to:
(LO3) Evaluate critically current methods and techniques used to develop business and
information strategies;
(LO4) Identify and evaluate key aspects of IS/IT provision.

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4. Class Contact Arrangements

How

Service level

Class Discussion
Email

Responses every Tuesday and Thursday.

Response within 48 hours.

5. Schedule of Work
Semester B
Week
begin

Unit

Topic

Submit assignment

19/01/15

ICEBREAKER (Required
for Groups)

26/01/15

Introduction week (new

students)
Information & Information
Systems
Organization Theory,
Structure and Culture
Alignment of IS/IT with
Business
Strategies for Gaining
Competitive Advantage

N
o

2
2

02/02/15

3
4

09/02/15

16/02/15

BLOG1 by 02/02/15

BLOG2 by 09/02/15
Managing Change

23/02/15

6
7
8
9
10

02/03/15
09/03/15
16/03/15
23/03/15
30/03/15

8
9
10
11
12
1318

11

06/04/15

12
13

13/04/15
20/04/15

19
20

Strategic Information
Systems Planning
BCCD Introduction & Case
Study

Review BLOGS by
16/02/15
Practice Studynet
submission by 17/02/14.
Assignment 1 Individual
Essay due by 23/02/15
Start Assignment 2
Wiki - Strategic Analysis
& Plans

BCCD Steps 1 and 2

BCCD Step 3
BCCD Step 4
BCCD Step 5
BCCD Step 6
Implementation Decisions :

Vacation
Vacation
Current Developments 1
Current Developments 2

Assignment 2 Wiki
Strategic Analysis & Plans
due by 06/04/15

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1. Assessment Regime
To pass this module you must pass coursework overall.
Assessment Details
No
.

Title/Topic

Practice
Practice
Studynet
Submission
Assignment 1 Essay
Individual
Essay on
IS/IT
Strategy
Development
Assignment 2 Wiki
Wiki 1
Strategic
Analysis&
Plans

Type

Learning
outcomes
assessed

% of
total

Set
Date

Handin/
Test
Date

Target
date for
return
marked
wrk

26/01/15

23/02/15

50

26/01/15

23/02/15

23/03/15

23/02/15

06/04/15

04/05/15

Individual/
group

individual
assignment

50

individual
assignment

group
assignment

2. Type of Feedback
Student feedback on marked coursework will be provided through Studynet through formative
comments on work and a breakdown of marks according to the marking scheme. The Schools
undergraduate generic grading criteria have been used to develop the marking schemes, and will be
used to provide formative feedback and assign marks.
Assessment No 1, Formative Comments & Marks posted to Studynet
Assessment No 2, Formative Comments & Marks posted to Studynet

3. Study Time (Key Information Set Data):

Delivery Mode

DIS (distance learning)

This module takes a total of 300 hours of student effort which consists of:
Activity
Online directed independent study

Hours
200 hours

Self-directed independent study

100 hours

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Other Useful Information

Module Books
John Ward, Joe Peppard, 2002, Strategic Planning for Information Systems (3 rd edition), Wiley
Series, ISBN 0470841478
Bernard Burnes, 2009, Managing Change (5 th edition), Pearson Education, ISBN 978-0-27371174-2
Recommended reading:
Below is a reading list of books and reports to supplement the reading material provided and to
aid your understanding of the subject areas.
Much is written on the topics that are taught and the list below is not exhaustive and you are
encouraged to research suitable material and add to the list. You are also encouraged to scour
computing periodicals, magazines and journals for current thinking and case studies on relevant
subject material.
Other Books
Wendy Robson, 1997, Strategic Management and Information Systems (2 nd edition), Pitman
Publishing, ISBN 9780273615910 Older but still a sound academic treatment of the issues
Christine Fidler & Simon Rogerson, 1996, Strategic Management Support Systems, Pitman
Publishing, ISBN 9780273614180 Older but still a sound academic treatment of the issues
B001HCUBUY

David Boddy
Albert Boonstra Graham Kennedy, 2008, Managing Information
Systems: Strategy and Organisation 3rd edition Prentice Hall ISBN 139780273716815

Robert Galliers, Dorothy E. Leidner, 2003, Strategic information management:

challenges and strategies in managing information systems, Butterworth-Heinemann ISBN: 9780-7506-5619-1
Wendy Currie, Robert Galliers, 2003, Rethinking management information systems, OUP, ISBN
9780198775324
Papers
Lederer, Albert and Sethi, Vijay. 1988"The Implementation of Strategic Information Systems
Planning Methodologies," MIS Quarterly, (12:3).
H.E. Newkirk and Lederer A. Strategic information systems planning: too little or too much?
Journal of Strategic Information Systems 12 (2003) 201228
http://www.sciencedirect.com_science

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Conference Proceedings
Consult the Americas Conference on Information Systems at: http://aisel.aisnet.org/amcis/
Journals: all available through StudyNet

Management Information Systems Quarterly at http://aisel.aisnet.org/misq/

The Journal of Strategic Information Systems at:
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/09638687
Information Management and Technology 2010
http://www.imat.cimtech.co.uk/Pages/IM@T_Online/2009/DecemberJanuary/IMAT_1209_Contents_01.htm
Information Management (15352897) (2009 - present)
Information Strategy: The Executive's Journal"
The Institute of Engineering and Technology fortnightly Journal E&T

Module Guide Moderation

I have examined this module guide and all the sections have been
completed with appropriate information.
I confirm that the moderation process has been completed
satisfactorily
The printed signed copy of this module guide must be lodged in the
module box by the module leader.
Signature
(moderator)

Name
(moderator)

A.Rainer

A.Rainer

Date

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