Monash University Computing and Information Technology Handbook, 1997

SYS4360

Information systems management

A Rouse

6 points
* 2 hours per week
* First semester
* Caulfield

Objectives At the completion of this subject students should know current practices and management techniques in IS management, and understand the critical issues associated with these practices; understand the factors that affect IS development quality and be aware of management techniques that can enhance ongoing system quality and customer satisfaction; appreciate the benefits of customer-service and quality approaches to IS management, and also the limitations of current practices and management techniques. This is a core graduate subject which provides the foundation for further graduate subjects in information systems management.

Synopsis Students are introduced to the issues associated with effective information systems (IS) management. Both `people' and technical aspects of IS management are addressed. There is a strong emphasis on managing to ensure quality systems, and on managing in a customer-focussed environment. Topics include the growing importance of IS management and its changing nature; critical issues in IS management; managing in a project-based environment; reasons for successful and unsuccessful development organisations; project control methodologies, standards, and tools; estimating approaches and the issue of software metrics; the nature of IS quality, and means for encouraging a quality culture; the application of TQM and the customer-service literature to IS quality; managing packaged and outsourced system development; `people' issues, especially those associated with managing systems professionals; the political aspects of project management; managing the introduction of new IS technologies (such as CASE, information modelling, object-oriented design).

Assessment Examination (2-hour `seen' test): 40%
* Practical work and seminar participation: 60%

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