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Prescription: IS700 (IS300)Information Systems Management

Aim of Module	To enable the student to gain an understanding of the management of the information system (IS) function within the modern business and government organisations.
Credits	7
Knowledge Assumed From	SS600 (SS200) Supervisory Skills
Student Learning hours	70
Content Revised	1996
Prescription Expiry Date	Nov 2005

Level and Assessment Schedule
Topics	Highest Skill Level	Suggested Assessment Percentage
1 Role of the IS function	A	5
2 Planning and Policies relating to the IS function	A	10
3 Management & Control of IS	A	15
4 Human Resource Management	C	10
5 Database & Communications	C	5
6 Emerging Technologies	C	5
7 Case Study	P	50

		100

The Student Will

1	Role of the IS function


C	1.1	Explain how over time there has been a change in the role of the IS function. Consider such points as:



		- the change in how a Computing Department was viewed within an organisation

		- IS being managed as a service function

		- information itself being seen as a strategic resource

		- who the IS manager reports to within the organisation



A	1.2	Outline typical management and user expectations of computer operations.

2	Planning and Policies relating to the IS function


>	Be able to select the appropriate policies for managing the IS function in the following areas:



C	2.1	Strategic Planning



	The student should understand that IS:



		- is an integral part of the overall corporate plan

		- requires strategic planning because of:

		- rapid change in technology

		- personnel scarcity

		- scarcity of corporate resources - e.g. $$

		- the trend to Databases and integrated systems

		- environmental factors



C	2.2	Cost Allocation



		Explain the various ways of allocating costs - e.g. is the IS department a Head Office overhead or are costs allocated based on usage?



A	2.3	Direction Setting



		Identify the policy issues that need addressing because information is being used differently due to changing technology eg.



		- ease of access to data

		- ownership of data

		- privacy

3	Management & Control of IS


C	3.1	Explain the importance of planning for change.



		The student should understand the implications of rapid obsolescence of hardware/software and the effects of the increasing rate of change.



A	3.2	Using a case study, identify how the following areas would need to be managed:



		- acquisition strategy/growth path

		- development methodology

		- data management

		- systems review

		- budgetary controls

4	Human Resource Management


C	4.1	Identify the following needs:



		- to provide a path for promotion

		- to consider the benefits of rotating staff out to user departments if they are potential senior management

		- to consider the advantages and/or disadvantages of using outside consultants and/or contractors

		- to examine productivity and performance

		- to provide continuing education and training

		- to consider alternative work styles - eg. telecommuting

		- to consider job-related stress

5	Database & Communications


C		Identify different approaches to management of:



		- databases

		- communications

6	Emerging Technologies


C		Demonstrate an understanding of emerging technologies, for example:



		- ISDN (Integrated Systems Data Network)

		- MAP (Manufacturing Automation Protocol)

		- Value added networks

7	Case Study


P		Using the headings above, identify how the strategy would change if you were managing a Bureau as opposed to managing an IS department within a business.

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