The importance of information systems in organisations.
This assignment tests the following Learning Outcome for the module:
1. Apply knowledge and understanding of the different uses of business information systems in
support of organisational activities and strategic management activities
2. Evaluate different methodologies and formulate conceptual frameworks for use in strategic
information systems planning
3. Apply theories, concepts and different methods available for implementation of business
information systems within an organisation
4. Analyse the benefits offered by the Internet to an organisation and the challenges it poses to
business.
The Assignment Task:
You have been engaged as a consultant by a UK based company wishing to significantly improve the performance of the business. This will involve the introduction of new
Business Information Systems and improvements to old systems.
Write a report to the CEO which:
i) explains the importance of information systems for a business
ii) describes how a new information system might be planned
iii) describes how a new information system might be implemented
iv) analyses the benefits and challenges that could be brought by the internet
The report should analyse how the system or systems considered could improve the performance of the company involved.
The report should include the following sections:
• Introduction
• The importance of information systems.
• The planning of an Information System
• The implementation of an Information System
• The benefits and challenges that could be brought by the Internet
• Conclusions
• Recommendations
• References
• Bibliography
• Appendices (optional)
Notes:
Introduction
In the introduction you should briefly describe the business employing you e.g. type of
business, size (turnover, number of employees) and geographical spread/locations. You
could base this on a fictitious organisation or on an organisation which actually exists, but
without disclosing its name.
The importance of information systems.
Here you should explain why information systems are needed using examples from the
organisation introduced above. You should further explain why different levels of
management in an organisation have different information requirements and briefly
describe the types of information systems used to provide information at the different
organisational levels.
The planning of an Information System
In this section of the report you should consider different methods and techniques which
could be used in the planning of information systems especially systems that address the
strategic needs of the specific organisation you are using for the assignment.
The implementation of an Information System
Here you should cover the acquisition and implementation of Information Systems within
the organisation under study. This section should include the ways in which a system
could be acquired and once this has been decided the ways in which it could be
introduced.
The benefits and challenges that could be brought by the Internet
You should briefly explain what the Internet is and distinguish it from the worldwide web
and other methods for publishing on the Internet. Explain how the Internet could be (or is)
used by the UK company in question to improve its performance and draw attention to
any problems which could arise.
Conclusions
Here, you should briefly summarise your findings. You could suggest areas for further
development or investigation if you feel that this is appropriate. Your conclusions should
flow naturally from your findings and analysis.
Recommendations
This section can be used to suggest preferred options for example where different
methods of achieving a goal have been identified in the findings.
References
Use Harvard referencing for any sources cited in the report.
Bibliography
Use Harvard referencing to record any sources used but not cited in the report.
Appendices
This is an optional section; you do not need to include appendices. If you do include
appendices, you must make reference to them in the main body of the report.
Feel free to use diagrams and tables within the text if these are appropriate (but only if
appropriate). Include some explanation of any illustrations used.
Where references are cited within the text, include some narrative to explain the
significance of the reference, i.e. do not merely include a citation.
Also note:
• Refer to the Assessment Criteria on the next page for guidance on how the report will
be marked.
• Use the mark allocation shown in the Assessment Criteria as guidance for the word
count for each section of the report.
• You are expected to use references in your work.
• Do not use a web site as a basis for your report.
• There will be no penalty for being below the word count.
• References, Bibliography and Appendices are not included in the word count.
• You should make a judgement on the level of detail needed for each section based
on the number of words available.
Marking Criteria Below
Weight %
Introduction 10
Excellent introduction which gives the reader an excellent understanding of the context.
The importance of information systems. 25
Demonstrates excellent understanding and knowledge of the importance of information systems and application to a specific organisation. Excellent use of example(s).
The planning and implementation of an Information System. 25
Demonstrates excellent understanding and knowledge of the way in which an information systems is planned and implemented. There is application to a specific organisation.
The benefits and challenges that could be brought by the Internet. 20
Demonstrates excellent understanding and knowledge of the benefits and challenges that could be offered by the Internet to a specific organisation.
Conclusions and recommendations 10
Excellent conclusions and recommendations relevant to the needs of a specific organisation.
Structure and presentation 10
Well structured. Neatly presented. Perfect grammar. Perfect spelling. Evidence of careful proof reading. Correctly referenced.