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

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term2 2019

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

Name: Chandra Nannegari 

Email:  chandra.nannegari@rmit.edu.au 

Phone: +61 3 9925 1657

 

 

 

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 on a variety of topics as shown in the teaching schedule.

 

This may include self-paced and collaborative classroom activities such as:

  • Class exercises
  • Challenges
  • Problem solving
  • Project work
  • Quizzes

 

We expect you to participate and contribute in all scheduled learning activities as each week builds on the next.


  


Teaching Schedule

Course Delivery: 

The nominal hours associated with this are a guide only and represent the total teaching time and student effort required to successfully complete the course. This may include not only scheduled classes but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

 

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

8th July 

Introduction to the Course  including:

  • Course requirements
    • Course support documents
    • Course Canvas 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

15th July 

  •  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

22nd July 

  • 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

29th July

  • 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

5th Aug

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

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

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

ICTICT511

ICTSAD501

6

12th Aug

 

  • 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

19th Aug

  • 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

26th Aug

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

 

 

ICTICT511

ICTSAD501

                  Break (Monday 2nd Sept - Friday 6th Sept)

9

9th Sept

  • Example Project - Continued
  • Identify key stake holders.

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

 

ICTICT511

ICTSAD501

10

16th Sept

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

 

Assessment 1 (project) Stage 2 submission 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

23rd Sept

  • 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

30th Sept

  • 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

7th Oct

 

  • 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

14th Oct

 

  • Work on project. 

Assessment 1 (project) Stage 3 submission 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

21st Oct

  • 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

28th Oct

  • 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

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

ISBN: 978-1-133-52685-3

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

ISBN 978-0-13-600391-5

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

eISBN: 9781466502895


Other Resources

You will need laptop with charger for each class 

You may also refer to various media, websites, textbooks and e-books as indicated in Canvas


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

Please note the following two units:

 

COSC7363C (ICTSAD501) Model data objects

COSC7358C (ICTICT511) Match ICT needs with the strategic direction of the enterprise 

 

are clustered and therefore co-delivered and co-assessed holistically

Assessment Overview:

You are required to complete TWO assessmentsAssessment 1 (Project) & Assessment 2 (Skills Review TEST). You must  complete both assessments and demonstrate competency in these assessments.

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

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

This assessment consists of three stages: Stages 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): Submission  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 client's business

  • 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 the client 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 client. Also document the effect of ICT developments.

Assessment 1 (Project) Stage 2 (Individual): Submission Due: Week 10

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

  • Identify (or refine) business rules and assumptions from Stage 1.
  • Draw an ERD using VISIO tool with appropriate template.
  • Build a 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): Submission 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 the ERD within the team and optimise it.
  • Modify and update the ERD if client suggests changes to specifications.
  • Apply normalisation principles to refine the model.
  • Build prototype in MS Access (or use an appropriate platform) with forms and reports as required by the client.
  • Build and validate the model in MS SQL Server / MS Access.
  • 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 principle.
  • 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.

Assessment 2 (Skills Review TEST): Week 15 

This is a paper based TEST administered in class covering the course material:

For this assessment task you will need to analyse one of the business documents to design data structures in 3NF. This is an open book assessment. You will be able to review and verify your design on your computer using resources such as any RDBMS software / VISIO tool.

You are also required to ensure that the ICT infrastructure you recommend supports data structures derived in the above analysis.  

You are also required to analyse sample data in a table for normalisation.


Assessment Matrix

Elements/Performance Criteria  Assessment Details   

1. Identify entities and relationships

1.1 Analyse business data to understand operations 1.2 Identify boundaries of the system 1.3 Identify entities, attributes, data types and relationships of data 1.4 Review business rules to determine impact 1.5 Document relationships in an entity relationship diagram
  • Assessment 1 (Project) Stage 1
  • Assessment 1 (Project) Stage 2
  • Assessment 2 (Skills Review) TEST

 2. Develop normalisation

2.1 Identify suitable business data 2.2 Undertake normalisation of business data and document results 2.3 Compare normalisation results with entity relationship diagram 2.4 Reconcile differences between data
  • Assessment 1 (Project) Stage 3
  • Assessment 2 (Skills Review) TEST

3. Validate model

3.1 Validate data model with client 3.2 Resolve issues or recommendations 3.3 Document completed data model 3.4 Submit to client for final approval
  • Assessment 1 (Project) Stage 3
  • Assessment 2 (Skills Review) TEST
Performance Evidence  
Evidence of the ability to:
  • document client business requirements
  • construct an entity relationship diagram
  • construct and document a data model
  • normalise the model
  • validate the model.
  • Assessment 1 (Project) Stage 1
  • Assessment 1 (Project) Stage 2
  • Assessment 1 (Project) Stage 3
  • Assessment 2 (Skills Review) TEST
Knowledge Evidence  

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

  • fully describe:
  • database identifiers and their impact on database usability
  • normalisation rules and processes
  • type hierarchies, including sub-types, super-types and root-types related to development of structured data types
  • validation procedures and processes
  • describe the function and features of:
  • an approach to data modelling, such as the entity-relationship model
  • keys, e.g. unique keys, composite keys, primary keys and primary index
  • time stamps related to the use of keys
  • user defined types, structured types, reference types and user defined functions
  • data types and their application
  • summarise the particular business domain.
  • Assessment 1 (Project) Stage 1
  • Assessment 1 (Project) Stage 2
  • Assessment 1 (Project) Stage 3
  • Assessment 2 (Skills Review) TEST

Other Information

Submission Requirements

You should:

  • Ensure that you submit assessments on or before the due date via CANVAS.
  • Always retain a copy of your assessment tasks. (hard copy and soft copy)
  • When you submit work for assessment at RMIT University you need to use a cover sheet that includes a declaration and statement of authorship. You must complete, sign and submit a cover sheet with all work you submit for assessment, whether individual or group work. On the cover sheet you declare that the work you are presenting for assessment is your own work.
  • Each page of your assessment should include footer with your name, student number, the title of the assessment, unit code and title and page numbers. For example, Julie Macpherson, 324567, Task 2, OHS2345C Ensure safe workplace, Page 1 of 10.
  • Projects must be submitted via Canvas.

Late Submission Procedures

You are required to submit assessment items and/or ensure performance-based assessment is completed by the due dates. 
If you are prevented from submitting an assessment item on time, by circumstances outside your control, you may apply in advance to your teacher for an extension to the due date of up to seven calendar days.

More Information: https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/assessment/extensions-of-time-for-submission-of-assessable-work
Form to use: http://mams.rmit.edu.au/seca86tti4g4z.pdf

Special Consideration Procedures

Where an extension of greater than seven days is needed, you must apply for special consideration. Applications for special consideration must be submitted no later than two working days after the assessment task deadline or scheduled examination

More Information: https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/assessment/special-consideration
Online special consideration link: https://specon.rmit.edu.au/specon/

Resubmissions

If you are found to be unsuccessful in a Course Assessment Task, you will be allowed one resubmission only. Your teacher will provide feedback regarding what you need to do to improve and will set a new deadline for the resubmission.  

If you are still not meeting the assessment requirements you must apply to your Program Manager in writing outlining the steps you will take to demonstrate competence in your course. Your submission will be considered by the Program Team and you will be advised of the outcome as soon as possible.

Adjustments to Assessment

In certain circumstances students may be eligible for an assessment adjustment. For more information about the circumstances under which the assessment arrangements might be granted please access the following website.

More Information: https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/assessment/adjustments-to-assessment

Marking Guide (Courses delivered in accordance with competency-based assessment):

You must demonstrate that you have all the required skills/knowledge/elements in the unit of competency you are studying. You will receive feedback on each assessment task that will inform you about your progress and how well you are performing.

CA       Competency Achieved

NYC    Not Yet Competent

DNS    Did Not Submit for assessment

Course Overview: Access Course Overview