Course Title: Enterprise Architecture

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Enterprise Architecture

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code	Campus	Career	School	Learning Mode	Teaching Period(s)
ISYS2377	City Campus	Postgraduate	140H Computer Science & Information Technology	Face-to-Face	Sem 1 2006, Sem 1 2007, Sem 1 2008, Sem 1 2009, Sem 1 2010, Sem 1 2011, Sem 1 2012
ISYS2378	City Campus	Undergraduate	140H Computer Science & Information Technology	Face-to-Face	Sem 1 2006, Sem 1 2007, Sem 1 2008, Sem 1 2009, Sem 1 2010, Sem 1 2011

Course Coordinator: Dr. Andy Song

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 9761

Course Coordinator Email: andy.song@rmit.edu.au

Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

You should not enrol in this course unless it is explicitly listed as a core course in your enrolment program structure.    

Course Description

This course presents the key components and processes involved in the effective creation and governance of software architectures for large enterprises. An enterprise architecture is an overall framework and strategic objective for the usage of technology over time across an organization. It provides a plan and objectives that align business goals with ICT strategy to enable the organization to make the most effective use of ICT to support and build a business. You will acquire knowledge about a broad range of aspects of enterprise architectures, including decision-making variables (technical, strategic and budgetary). You will learn how to explain, present and defend your decisions.    

Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

 

This course contributes to the following program learning outcomes:

Enabling Knowledge

You will gain skills as you apply knowledge with creativity and initiative to new situations. In doing so, you will:

• Demonstrate mastery of a body of knowledge that includes recent developments in enterprise architecture;
• Recognise and use principles and methods applicable to enterprise architecture.

Critical Analysis

You will learn to accurately and objectively examine, and critically investigate enterprise architecture concepts, evidence, theories or situations, in particular to:

• Analyse and model complex requirements and constraints for the purpose of designing, implementing and integrating software infrastructure to deliver business-focussed IT solutions across an enterprise;
• Critically evaluate and compare alternative software systems architectures on the basis of organisational strategy and enterprise requirements.

Communication

You will learn to lead, influence and communicate effectively with a variety of audiences, in particular to:

• Interpret identified enterprise business needs, communicate architectural decisions and strategy to meet those needs, articulate risks and benefits of those decisions to the enterprise, and choose appropriate methods of communication.

 

On completion of this course you should be able to:

1. theorise enterprise architecture principles and purpose and illustrate their translation to practice;
2. construct models for enterprise architecture definition which conform to industry standards and frameworks;
3. identify critical success factors for common enterprise architect approaches. 
4. analyse alternative models for enterprise architecture components  and  processes for different organisations;
5. produce appropriate documentation and deliver oral presentations relating to enterprise architectures, for a variety of audiences. 

Overview of Learning Activities

 

• Face-to-face lectures, where the lecturer presents some of the topics in the course material;
• Tutorial exercises where you explore team dynamics, diagnostics and management;
• Seminar-style discussions where you present additional topics in the course, and apply your prior knowledge to recognise underlying principles and potential applications of new topics;
• Group presentations to classmates, teaching staff, and industry representatives of outcomes from assessment activities;
• Guest lectures from industry experts on key topics.

As a Learner, you will be encouraged to display active listening and engagement with lectures; actively participate in the group discussions, to contribute significantly to the analytical exercises in the tutorials; and to contribute appropriately to the assessable exercise(s) which will require study time each week external to the face-to-face sessions.    

Overview of Learning Resources

There is currently no single textbook that covers all the material for this course. However, a reading list of relevant books and articles will be provided during the lecture, seminars, tutorials, or through references during learning activities or via myRMIT. Any software required for the performance of exercises and assignments will be installed for access on RMIT servers and/or available for installation on personal computers/laptops.    

Overview of Assessment

 

 

 

The assessment for this course will involve a demonstration of the specified Learning Outcomes and Capabilities, via

• Assignments in which you will be expected to demonstrate an understanding of the skills required for enterprise architecture development and adoption. You will also be required to demonstrate an ability to critically analyse alternative scenarios and challenges. 
• A written examination which requires you to describe different aspects, components and communication considerations when developing enterprise architecture.
• Group presentations to classmates, teaching staff and industry people of outcomes from assessment activities.

This course has no hurdle requirements.

Assessment tasks

Assessment Task 1:  Fortnightly report

Weighting 20%

This assessment task supports CLOs - 1,2&3

Assessment Task 2: Assignment

Assessment Task 2.1: Group Assignment

Weighting 25%

This assessment task supports CLOs – 1,2,3,4&5

Assessment Task 2.2: Peer Review

Weighting 5%

This assessment task supports CLO - 5

Assessment Task 2.3: Individual Assignment

Weighting 15% 

This assessment supports CLOs - 1,2,4&5

Assessment Task 2.4: Class Presentation

Weighting 10% 

This assessment supports CLOs - 5

Assessment Task 3: Exam

Weighting 25% 

This assessment supports CLOs - 1,2,3&4

Feedback will be provided throughout the semester in class and/or online discussions, through individual and group feedback on practical exercises and by individual consultation. If you have a long term medical condition and/or disability it may be possible to negotiate to vary aspects of the learning or assessment methods. You can contact the program coordinator or the Disability Liaison Unit if you would like to find out more. Your course assessment conforms to the RMIT university assessment principles, regulations, policies and procedures which are described and referenced in a single document Assessment Policies and Procedures manual. An 1.2.4 Assessment Charter section of this document summarises your responsibilities as an RMIT student as well as those of your teachers.