UNIT 403: MANAGING INFORMATION SYSTEMS

Overview

This unit deals with the planning and management of effective information systems. It discusses the design, structure and evaluation of information systems to meet specific needs, and the human factors in their operation and management. The unit starts with a high-level view of information systems, their impact on organisations and their strategic uses. It discusses how to analyse and plan for an organisation's information systems needs, as well as a wide range of other IS management issues.

Aims

After studying this unit you should be able to:

• analyse the impact that information systems have had in organisations, and the consequent changes that have occurred to the role of business managers
• analyse information systems and their management in terms of both hard and soft systems approaches
• identify the elements that combine to form an organisational information vision and information technology architecture
• apply a strategic systems planning approach to design information systems that use IT to gain competitive advantage
• manage organisational data and knowledge using a variety of applications
• evaluate proposals for the management of various specific IT functions including e-business initiatives and outsourcing IT services
• develop effective information service management practices, including performance measures and accounting structures
• identify the factors that can contribute to the success or failure of an IS project and develop IS project proposals and management plans using appropriate tools
• develop strategies to effectively manage technological change and address the legal or ethical issues that such change can bring
• develop information security policies and controls that address potential threats and vulnerabilities and plan for business continuity.

Topics

• Managing IS to seize new strategic opportunities
• Information systems and strategy
• Managing using a systems approach
• Managing information systems development
• Moving from IS planning to IT planning
• Managing organisational data
• Managing IS services and business networks
• IS project management
• Professional ethics and managing technological change
• Information security management

Unit Chair & Study Guide Author

Justin D. Pierce
BInfoTech(Hons)

Justin D. Pierce is an early career academic working as a part time lecturer at the School of Information Systems and at the Institute for Koorie Education at Deakin University. His research interests include computer security, human-computer interaction, supply chain management and knowledge management. Justin has worked in the private sector predominantly in the development of electronic commerce systems. His teaching interests include project management, systems analysis and design, electronic commerce, and computer programming.