FIT3174 - IT strategy and governance - 2018

This unit provides students with an understanding of how to manage and govern the IT function in business organisations. It builds on themes relating to managing IT as an organisational resource and discusses IT function from strategy and governance perspectives. The unit also emphasises the relationship between theoretical knowledge and its practical application using cases and real examples.

Core concepts discussed in this unit include the strategic context of IT management, alignment between business strategy and IT strategy, IT governance processes, various types of IT processes, organising and managing the IT function (including the role of the CIO), legal and ethical concerns of IT, evaluating IT portfolio management, IT provisioning issues, including outsourcing.

At the completion of this unit, students should be able to:

1. demonstrate the capability to develop an appropriate type of IT strategy which is consistent with the corporate strategy of business organisations;
2. demonstrate a capacity to describe how IT governance can be applied to improve IT function and its performance;
3. critically evaluate the benefits associated with various IT outsourcing options suitable for business organisations;
4. demonstrate the capability to avoid IT systems failure using IT governance;
5. critically discuss the major legal issues that may affect IT systems and operations;
6. demonstrate an ability to prepare IT budgets for business.

Examination (2 hours): 60%; In-semester assessment: 40%

Minimum total expected workload equals 12 hours per week comprising:

1. Contact hours for on-campus students:
   • Two hours lectures
   • Two hour tutorial
2. Additional requirements (all students):
   • A minimum of 8 hours of personal study per one hour of lecture time in order to satisfy the reading, tute, prac and assignment expectations.

See also Unit timetable information

Business information systems