Please note - Swinburne University of Technology

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KT703 Introduction to Business Software
No. of hours per week: twenty hours
Prerequisites: nil
Subject aims
The aim of this unit is to:
introduce students to information technology concepts
with particular emphasis on decision support systems;
enable students to appreciate, and gain practice in the
application of a range of PC-based analysis methods as a
means of providing information for management
decision making;
enable students to confidently use a number of key
software packages which can be utilized in other areas
of the course.
Subject description
Software and hardware components of decision support
systems
Decision support system concepts
Recent software developments
Hardware facilities available
Specific application software available for decision
support analysis
Recent developments in decision support software
Mainframe vs PC based decision analysis
Decision support software
Spreadsheets
An appreciation of the nature and role of modelling in
the decision making process, e.g. financial, forecasting,
simulation.
Choosing the right type of decision analysis tool for a
specific application.
Using Lotus 1-2-3 for decision analysis.
Students will be expected to acquire the necessary skills
needed to build their own models.
Graphics
The presentation of information in a graphic format,
including output from modelling packages.
Using presentation graphics software for effective
communication.
Data Bases
Using corporate data as source material for micro-based
decision support tools.
Data base packages as a decision support facility.
Students will be expected to acquire the necessary skills
needed to build and query their own databases.
Availability and accessing of public data bases.
Textbooks
As this unit is primarily concerned with the use of application
software and current developments in using micro-computers, text
books form a minor component of reference material
Software documentation, user manuals and current journal articles
will provide the major reference material for the unit.
A is required that students have access to a PC for work undertaken
outside formal session times
BT707 Information Technology Effectiveness
No. of hours per week: three hours
Prereouisites: cornoletion of the Graduate
~i~loha in ~anagement Systems or equivalent
Instruction: a combination of lectures, seminas
and workshops
Assessment: assignment and research report
Subject aims
This unit focuses on the effective management of IT
resources.
On completion of this unit students will have developed an
understanding of the financial management of the IT
department, the management of productivity and quality in
software development and the application of rnetrics to the
management of IT.
Subject description
Topics cowred in these three areas include:
Financial management:
Cash flow, chareout, budgets and capital expenditure
evaluation;
Quality:
An overview of total quality management; factors affecting
productivity and quality in SIW development; approaches to
controlling quality; quality standards; measurement of
quality;
Metrics:
Measuring It performance - quality, operations and
productivity measures at both strategic and tactical levels;
evaluating IT investments including IT infrastructure.
Textbooks
No single text covers the unit material
References
Carlson, W.M. and McNurlin, B.C. Uncovering the Information
Technology Payoffs, 16 Analyser Special Report M.A., U.S.A.: United
Communications Gmup, 1992
Jones, C. Applied Software Measurement - Azsuring Productivity
and Quality New York: McGraw Hill, 1991
Quinlan, T.A. EDP Cost Accounting. New York, Wiley. 1989
BT708 Technology and Innovation
No. of hours per week: three hours
Prerequisites: ' ~~707 Information Technology
Effectiveness, BT703 Technological Forecasting
Instruction: lectures, seminars, workshops
Assessment: assignment and research report
Subject aims
This unit focuses upon emerging technologies and their
diffusion through the workplace and industry in general.
Advantage will be taken of local and visitng speakers.
Subject description
The selection of technologies for examination is subject to
developments at the time that the unit is offered. It is
anticipated that technologies in such areas as
communications and knowledge based systems will be
appropriate. Diffusion involves identifying, planning for the
introduction and measuring the success of new technology.
Textbooks
There will be no prescribed textbook. Students will be directed to
appropriate books and journal articles
BT802 Project and Thesis
Prerequisite: Graduate Diploma in Management
Systems or equivalent
Subject description
Candidates will be required to submit a research project
report on a topic of their own selection. The topic will be
related to computer-based management systems and,
dependent on the specific area covered, an appropriate
supervisor will be appointed. In some instances students may
have more than one supervisor. There will be at least two
examiners.
A preliminary proposal of the project to be undertaken must
be submitted for approval by the convening panel of the
Masten Program.
There will be a requirement for formal monthly reporting by
candidates, both oral and written throughout the term of
the project. Failure to meet satisfactory standards of progress