FIT5102 - IT strategy and governance - 2019

This unit develops understanding of information technology and information and knowledge management governance frameworks and strategy perspectives, with particular emphasis on the regulatory environment, legislative and organisational controls, audits, standards, professional certifications, and issues associated with measuring performance, demonstrating value and minimising risk. The unit builds on intellectual capital theory, augmented by insights from social capital and emotional capital. It draws on case studies to differentiate strategies focused primarily on people, business processes, and content, and considers the supporting technologies that can facilitate each approach.

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

1. describe the characteristics and limitations of different IT and IKM governance frameworks and strategy perspectives, and how competing perspectives can be reconciled in practice;
2. evaluate the concepts underpinning the dominant intellectual capital perspective on IT and IKM strategy, the strengths and limitations of this approach, and how social capital and emotional capital insights can augment this view of strategy;
3. analyse the distinct features, the functional/disciplinary origins, and the key drivers of IT and IKM strategies focused primarily on (1) people, (2) business processes, and (3) content and technology, and the supporting technologies that can facilitate each approach;
4. analyse links between strategy, performance and measurement, and the issues associated with demonstrating the value and benefits of IT and IKM;
5. describe the nature of the IT and IKM regulatory environment and approaches to controlling risk;
6. evaluate the importance of marketing, leading and championing IT and IKM within the organisation, and of reflective practice.

NOTE: From 1 July 2019, the duration of all exams is changing to combine reading and writing time. The new exam duration for this unit is 2 hours and 10 minutes.

Examination (2 hours): 50%; In-semester assessment: 50%

Minimum total expected workload equals 12 hours per week comprising:

1. Contact hours for on-campus students:
   • 2 hours of lectures
   • One 2-hour laboratory
2. Study schedule for off-campus students:
   • Off-campus students generally do not attend lecture and tutorial sessions, however should plan to spend equivalent time working through the relevant resources and participating in discussion groups each week.
3. Additional requirements (all students):
   • A minimum of 8 hours independent study per week for completing lab and project work, private study and revision.

See also Unit timetable information