MQM2MSA-Managing Strategic Alignment of Business and IT

Module Provider: Business Informatics, Systems and Accounting
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Autumn term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Prof Sharm Manwani
Email: sharm.manwani@henley.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This moduleÌýis the first of the IT Strategy specialisms for the Digital Apprenticeship programme and builds on the coreÌýmodules.ÌýManaging Strategic Alignment (MSA)Ìýcovers the business andÌýtechnologyÌýstrategic alignment of the enterprise.ÌýIt utilises both academic and professional sources to provide integrated perspectives,Ìýsupported by theory and applicable in practical contexts.Ìý

This module builds the knowledge and skills to gain a strategic alignment perspective of the digital transformation of an organisation at the enterprise level.Ìý

Aims:

This module has the aimÌýto enable course members to develop and critically evaluate business systems and technical strategies to help organisations transform in a fast-moving digital world:Ìý

• To develop an understanding ofÌýwhy enterprises create a strategic alignment of business and ITÌýcapabilitiesÌý– and the consequences of failing to do soÌý


• To build aÌýsolidÌýknowledge foundationÌýof the components of business and technical strategies and how they interact in a holistic frameworkÌýÌý


• ToÌýappropriately select fromÌýa portfolio of business IT alignment tools and apply theseÌýforÌýdigital transformation, engagingÌýwith professional colleagues and executivesÌý

Assessable learning outcomes:

On the completion of the course, the students will be able to:Ìý

• Perform strategic analysis of an organisation’s systems, including structure and effectivenessÌýÌý


• Make proposals for systems rationalisation, systems integration and other improvementsÌý


• Develop technology strategies aligned with business prioritiesÌýwith different optionsÌý


• Develop and implement technology lifecycle roadmapsÌý


• Select and apply appropriate tools for managing strategic alignmentÌý

Additional outcomes:

Outline content:

The modules builds on two main parts – business systems strategy and technical strategy.Ìý

Business Systems StrategyÌý

• Document existingÌýinformation systems (IS) in the context of current operating modelÌý


• Identify IS needs arising from new and evolving business operating modelsÌý


• Develop a strategy to close the gap between ‘as is’ and ‘to be’ perspectivesÌý

Technical StrategyÌý

• Develop technical strategies aligned with business prioritiesÌý


• Assess different technical options to deliver the technical strategiesÌý


• Develop technology roadmaps considering implementation approaches.Ìý

Global context:

This moduleÌýrecognises that enterprises often operate multi-nationally and provides this perspective through published global business IT researchÌý

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

ThisÌý12 weekÌýmodule will use a blended learning approach includingÌýHenley seminars,ÌýstructuredÌýwork-basedÌýlearningÌýandÌýindependentÌýstudy.ÌýFormative assessments will support the initial learning.ÌýÌý

Course members will engage with their organisation toÌýgather informationÌýthrough guided fieldworkÌýwhich, together with the use of course academic and professional material,Ìýcontributes to a summative assessment. ThisÌýwork-based assignmentÌýwill be introduced at an early stage andÌýis designed to reinforce theÌýskills and knowledgeÌýlearning outcomes.ÌýÌý

Reflection is an important part of the module, both on the study material and the overall reflection on how the module supports work-based goals. ThisÌýcontributes to the end-point assessment of professional discussion.

Summative assessment- Examinations:

None.

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

A reportÌýor equivalent outputsÌýwill be assessedÌýleading toÌý100% of the overall assessment.

One individual courseworkÌýassignment,Ìýc. 3-5000 wordÌýreportÌýsubmitted at end of module.Ìý

Formative assessment methods:

Completion ofÌýpre-assignment exercises.Ìý

Participation in and contribution to the in-classÌýseminars.Ìý

Penalties for late submission:

Penalties for late submission on this module are in accordance with the University policy.Ìý

Assessment requirements for a pass:

Students will be required to obtain a mark of at least 50% overall based on the coursework.Ìý

Reassessment arrangements:

Students will be required to submit a new report to achieve the pass mark, and the mark will be capped to 50%.Ìý

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

Last updated: 4 April 2023