Course Title: Match ICT needs with the strategic direction of the enterprise

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term2 2017

Course Code: COSC7358C

Course Title: Match ICT needs with the strategic direction of the enterprise

School: 650T Vocational Business Education

Campus: City Campus

Program: C5341 - Diploma of Information Technology

Course Contact: Val Christou

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 5076

Course Contact Email: val.christou@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Chandra Nannegari

Ph: 99251657

Email: chandra.nannegari@rmit.edu.au

Nominal Hours: 50

Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites

None

Course Description

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to ensure information and communications technology (ICT) services meet current and future internal operational enterprise requirements.

It applies to individuals whose responsibilities may include maintaining and supporting critical infrastructure for objectives in small-to-medium sized organisations.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

ICTICT511 Match ICT needs with the strategic direction of the enterprise

Element:

1. Evaluate current business strategy

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Analyse current strategic plan of the organisation to understand the industry environment and current organisational goals


1.2 Compare information related to current operational practices and the strategic plan to determine possible ICT gaps and improvement opportunities


1.3 Report information regarding the effect of ICT developments to an appropriate person

Element:

2. Evaluate effect of changes

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Review information on current ICT systems supported by the organisation


2.2 Compare and document advantages and disadvantages of current and proposed ICT systems


2.3 Determine the objectives and implications of introducing changes


2.4 Document findings and forward to appropriate person for feedback

Element:

3. Develop action plans

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Develop plans to implement proposed changes according to organisational policy and procedures


3.2 Document action plans, ensuring that standards, targets and implementation methods are detailed


3.3 Forward documentation to appropriate person for feedback and approval


Learning Outcomes



Details of Learning Activities

 

A range of learning activities are planned for this course including self-paced and collaborative classroom based activities.

Learning activities will include laboratory-based sessions on a variety of topics as shown in the weekly breakdown. Learning activities will generally consist of both conceptual and practical computer exercises based on teacher handouts. Students should attend all sessions.

Students will also be expected to undertake work on a database project and other activities for homework.

The collaborative classroom based activities will include group discussion, group problem solving activities and opportunities to practice your skills in a simulated/real workplace environment.

We expect you to participate and contribute in all scheduled learning activities.
  


Teaching Schedule

 This course is co-delivered and co-assessed holistically along with:


 (ICTSAD501) COSC 7363C - Model data objects. 

 

Week

Week Commencing

Topics

Assessment

Competencies

Delivered

1

03/07/17

Introduction to the Course including:

• Course requirements
• Course support documents
• Course Blackboard access
• Accuracy of enrolment
• Assessment requirements/Cover Sheets
• Reminder re Plagiarism
• Reminder re Appeals
• Extensions/Resubmissions
• Feedback in this course
• Reminder re submission requirements
• Getting help

Course Topic
• DB concepts (Sem 1 ) - review.
•  Analyse current strategic plan of organisation. 

 

ICTICT511

ICTSAD501

2

10/07/17

  • Intro to example Project and solution.
  • Analyse business data - Develop Business Rules and identify business operations.
  • Analyse current business documents - reports
  • Analyse current strategic plan of organisation continued.

 

ICTICT511

ICTSAD501

3

17/07/17

  • Example Project - Continued
  • Analyse Business Data - Identify boundaries of the system.
  • Analyse current business documents - forms
  • Determine possible ICT gaps.

Assessment 1  (project) Stage 1, 2, 3 - Project Specs issued

ICTICT511

ICTSAD501

4

24/07/17

  • Example Project - Continued
  • Analyse Business Data - Identify possible entities.
  • Analyse current business documents - queries.
  • Document the effect of ICT developments.
Assessment 1  (project) Stage 1 - draft due for feedback

ICTICT511

ICTSAD501

5

31/07/2017

  • Example Project - Continued
  • Case studies - ERD
  • Intro to VBA.
  • Review current ICT systems supported by the organisation.

Assessment 1  (project) Stage 1 due. This is a team submission.

Assessment & feedback of this assessment in Week 06 & Week 7

ICTICT511

ICTSAD501

6

07/08/2017

 

  • Case studies - ERD Continued.
  • Build Prototype.
  • VBA Continued - Loops.
  • Compare ICT infrastructure.

  

Assessment 1 (project) : Stage 1 assessment & feedback

If required, re-submission for this assessment is due by the end of Week 09.

 

ICTICT511

ICTSAD501

7

14/08/2017

  • Example Project - Continued
  • VBA - DAO objects.                         
  • Confirm DB Design. Document inconsistencies in DB design.
  • Objectives and implications of introducing changes.

 

Assessment 1 (project) : Stage 1 assessment & feedback

If required, re-submission for this assessment is due by the end of Week 09.

Assessment 1  (project) Stage 2 - project specs issued.

ICTICT511

ICTSAD501

8

21/08/2017

  • Example Project - Continued
  • VBA continued - Entering 5000 records
  • Objectives and implications of introducing changes - continued.

 

 

ICTICT511

ICTSAD501

 Mid-Semester Break (Monday 28th August to Friday 1st  September 2017 inclusive)

9

04/09/2017

  • Example Project - Continued
  • Identify key stake holders.

Assessment 1   (project) Stage 2 - draft due for feedback

 

ICTICT511

ICTSAD501

10

11/09/2017

  • Determinant & Dependencies
  • Data Dictionary
  • Develop plans - organisational policy and procedures. 

 

Assessment 1 (project) Stage 2 due. This is an individual submission.

Assessment & feedback of this assessment in Week 11 & Week 12

If required, re-submission for this assessment is due by the end of Week 13. 

ICTICT511

ICTSAD501

11

18/09/2017

  • Data Redundancy and Anomalies
  • Validation of data model by client.
  • Document action plans to standards.

Assessment   (project) Stage 3 - project specs issued.

Assessment  (Project) Stage 2  assessment & feedback

If required, re-submission for this assessment is due by the end of Week 13.

 

ICTICT511

ICTSAD501

12

25/09/2017

  • Steps in Normalisation, Normal Forms - 1 NF & 2NF & Relational Schema.
  • Implementation plan.
  • Document action plans continued
  • Insert Update Form

Assessment  (Project) Stage 2  assessment & feedback

If required, re-submission for this assessment is due by the end of Week 13.

ICTICT511

ICTSAD501

13

02/10/2017

 

  • Steps in Normalisation, Normal Forms - 3NF
  • Document completed data model.
  • User training requirements.
  • Document action plans continued.

 

Assessment   - (Project) Stage 3 - draft feedback

ICTICT511

ICTSAD501

14

09/10/2017

 

  • Work on project. 

Assessment 1 (project) Stage 3 due. This is a team submission. Demonstration & feedback of this assessment in Week 15 & 16

If required, re-submission for this assessment is due by the end of Week 16.

ICTICT511

ICTSAD501

15

16/10/2017

  • Assessment 2(Skills review TEST)
  • Assessment 1(Project) Stage 3 - Demonstration & feedback

Assessment 2(Skill review TEST)

Assessment (project) Stage 3 - Demonstration & feedback

If required, re-submission for this assessment is due by the end of Week 16.

 

ICTICT511

ICTSAD501

16

23/10/2017

  • Course & assessment feedback. 
  • Re-submission of work if required

 

ICTICT511

ICTSAD501

 


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

Peter Rob , Carlos Coronel & Steven Morris, Database Systems: Design, Implementation & Management, 10e Edition, Course Technology

ISBN 1-111-96960-4


References

Maley, C.(2012), Project Management Concepts, Methods and Techniques, Taylor & Franscis,

eISBN: 9781466502895

Hoffer , Prescott & Topi, Modern Database Management 9/E , Prentice Hall

ISBN 978-0-13-600391-5

Schwalbe, K(7th edn, 2014), Information Technology Project Management, Thomson course Technology

ISBN: 978-1-133-52685-3


Other Resources


Overview of Assessment

In order to achieve competency in this unit, you must provide:

Performance Evidence

Evidence of the ability to:

  • access and analyse relevant information on changes to technology and resources
  • analyse strategic plans to determine future technology needs
  • monitor resource use and cost-efficiency and effectiveness of technology
  • develop and document action plan detailing standards, targets, timelines and implementation methods. 

Knowledge Evidence

To complete the unit requirements safely and effectively, you must:

  • identify methods of analysis and planning approaches to technical problems and management requirements
  • assess and document the hardware platform used by the organisation and network, and the subsequent security guidelines required
  • explain current system functionality to forecast for planning
  • identify and specify operating systems supported by the organisation to forecast for planning
  • compare competing and complementary internal and external operating environments
  • identify and assess technology and product directions for evaluating and forecasting vendor and technology trends.

 Assessment Conditions

Assessment must be conducted in a safe environment where evidence gathered demonstrates consistent performance in conditions that are safe and replicate the workplace. Noise levels, production flow, interruptions and time variances must be typical of those experienced in the general information and communications technology (ICT) industry, and include access to:

  • a site where ICT needs and strategic directions of the enterprise may be coordinated
  • detailed information relating to a business strategic plan
  • information on a range of ICT business solutions.

You are advised that you are likely to be asked to personally demonstrate your assessment work to your teacher to ensure that the relevant competency standards are being met.

Feedback

Feedback will be provided throughout the semester in class and/or online discussions.  You are encouraged to ask and answer questions during class time and online sessions so that you can obtain feedback on your understanding of the concepts and issues being discussed. Finally, you can email or arrange an appointment with your teacher to gain more feedback on your progress.

You should take note of all feedback received and use this information to improve your learning outcomes and final performance in the course.       


Assessment Tasks

You are required to complete TWO assessmentsAssessment 1 (Project) & Assessment 2 (Skills Review TEST). You must successfully complete both the assessments to be deemed competent in this course.

As part of Assessment 1 (Project), you are required to design and implement a fully-functional customised database for the client – mylifebalance (mylifebalance.com.au) located in Melbourne, in consultation with key stakeholders, such as your teacher and the client (mylifebalance).  

The Assessment 1 (Project) requires you to design, build and validate a Database application to process transactions and store the required data for mylifebalance. You are also required to ensure information and communications technology (ICT) services meet current and future internal operational requirements of your client.

This assessment consists of three stages: Stage 1 & 3 are team submissions and Stage 2 is an individual submission. Work for each stage of the project (outlined below) should be submitted on the due date, as per the Teaching Schedule.

Assessment 1 (Project ) Stage 1 (team):   Due: week 5

During this stage you are required to analyse and understand the current and future requirements (including ICT infrastructure) for implementing a database to record all data necessary for a smooth functioning of “mylifebalance

  • Analyse business and other data to identify area of business operations (as an example payments made by students) and boundaries of the system.
  • Analyse and submit each of these documents – a form used for capturing data, invoice issued to a customer, a weekly report generated by “mylifebalance” and one query used to extract data.  
  • Based on the above analysis, develop business rules and identify possible entities.
  • Analyse ICT infrastructure and identify possible ICT gaps based on the strategic plan of the “mylifebalance”. Also document the effect of ICT developments.

Assessment 1 (Project) Stage 2 (Individual):  Due: week 10

 In continuation of stage 1, in this stage you need to design and build a prototype database for “mylifebalance.  You also need to determine and evaluate the result of proposed ICT changes.  

  • Identify (or refine) business rules and assumptions from stage 1.
  • Draw ERD using VISIO tool with appropriate template.
  • Build prototype (with appropriate data types, PK and FK) with sample data in MS Access.
  • Write program / s to populate tables up to 50000 records in a table.
  • Determine and evaluate the effect of ICT changes.

 Assessment 1 (Project) Stage 3 (Team): Due: week 14

Stage 3 of the project requires you to build and validate prototype and apply normalisation principles while managing changes requested by the client. 

  • Re-examine ERD within the team and optimise it.
  • Modify and update ERD if client suggests changes to specifications.
  • Apply normalisation principles to refine the model.
  • Build prototype in MS Access with forms and reports as required by the client.
  • Build and validate the model in MS SQL Server.
  • Document the entire model, including training requirements.
  • Develop action plans to implement proposed changes in ICT infrastructure.

Students will receive feedback or confirmation for each stage of submission. It is therefore vital that any design documentation and other work required for each stage be submitted in a timely manner.

In order to be deemed competent in this Assessment 1 (Project) you will be expected to demonstrate proficiency in a variety of areas including (and not limited to) the following key areas:

  • Skills in gathering and analysing data to determine requirements
  • Ability to produce ERDs for a wide variety of scenarios
  • Ability to build and implement a database using established design.
  • Ability to normalise your tables to store data effectively
  • Ability to evaluate current ICT infrastructure and develop ICT services to meet future enterprise requirements.
  • Documentation of the complete model and training requirements. 

You will be asked to demonstrate understanding of the project submission.

Late submissions of work required for any stage of this project will be eligible for grading at CAG (Competency Achieved) level only.  

Assessment 2 (Skills Review TEST): Week 15

For this assessment task you will need to analyse data models , design data structures and normalise the model. 

You will also need to be able to analyse simple data presented in the form of commercial documents in order to confirm database requirements.

You will have to evaluate the business's existing ICT infrastructure and propose new structure which meets their current and immediate future requirements.

To be deemed competent in this task, you will be expected to demonstrate your knowledge of the skills and concepts covered in this course.

 


Assessment Matrix

Course Overview: Access Course Overview