Units
Enterprise Architecture
Unit code: INN222
Contact hours: 3 per week
Credit points: 12
Information about fees and unit costs
Enterprise Architecture is the means by which companies align business practice and IT. It typically includes information such as the organisational structures and functions of a company, business services, processes, and data objects, and the IT landscape by way of software applications, platforms and infrastructure. These are captured through different modelling techniques and put in the different layers of the enterprise architecture. Through an enterprise architecture, a company can govern its IT existing solutions, and acquire or develop new IT solutions.
Availability
| Semester | Available |
|---|---|
| 2013 Semester 2 | Yes |
Sample subject outline - Semester 2 2013
Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.
Rationale
Enterprise Architecture is the means by which companies align business practice and IT. It typically includes information such as the organisational structures and functions of a company, business services, processes, and data objects, and the IT landscape by way of software applications, platforms and infrastructure. These are captured through different modelling techniques and put in the different layers of the enterprise architecture. Through an enterprise architecture, a company can govern its IT existing solutions, and acquire or develop new IT solutions.
Graduates from a course in Information Technology will be expected to understand and develop the architecture of systems in the wider setting of businesses. Enterprise Architects, Solution Architects, Business Analysts and Development Architects and are some of the highly sought commercial roles that require the teaching and training in enterprise architectures.
Aims
The aim of this unit is to introduce you to enterprise architectures, its principles and particular analysis and design techniques of its different parts, as applied in commercial organisations.
Objectives
On completion of this unit you should be able to:
1. Explain what an enterprise architecture consists of in terms of its different layers and the information stored at its different layers (GC1);
2. Explain some of the different methodologies that have been used to support enterprise architectures and their relative strengths and weaknesses (GC1);
3. Apply basic techniques for analysing an application at the business level and designing a software solution. This will include integrated data and process modelling and mapping (GC1 and GC2);
4. Undertake an enterprise architecture use case (GC1, GC2, GC4 and GC5);
5. Communicate an architecture at different levels of detail to different stakeholder audiences and assess enterprise architectures presented by others (GC1, GC2, GC3, GC4 and GC5).
Key: Graduate Capabilities
GC1 - Knowledge and Skills
GC2 - Critical and Creative Thinking
GC3 - Communication
CG4 - Lifelong Learning
GC5 - Independence and Collaboration
GC6 - Social and Ethical Responsibility
GC7 - Leadership and Change
Content
You will learn basic enterprise architecture concepts, terminology and methodologies, the creation of models that are part of an enterprise architecture using specific modelling techniques.
Approaches to Teaching and Learning
The unit emphasises a "hands-on" approach to teaching and learning. Formal contact hours each week comprise:
The series of weekly lectures will provide you with the theoretical knowledge, teamed with "hands-on" practical sessions to provide you with the practical skills required to successfully complete the unit.
You will be supplied with tasks and exercises each week. It is important that you put time aside each week to pre-read the supplied information, and to practice with the supplied exercises. You will have the opportunity to reflect on your learning and progress via the assessment items and by the use of QUT's Student Portfolio.
Concurrent Teaching:
This unit is being taught concurrently with an undergraduate offering of the same unit. University policy permits postgraduate and undergraduate students to attend the same lectures. Separate practical sessions will be provided for postgraduate students where student numbers allow.
As a postgraduate student you will be required to complete separate assessment tasks that reflect the advanced knowledge and understanding of the subject. For this unit that means your assessment will be of increased complexity but not necessarily of greater length or effort. The assessment will require you to show additional evidence of critical evaluation. The final exam will contain additional questions which will require you to apply your knowledge of Enterprise Architecture to test your greater understanding of the subject matter.
Assessment
You will submit your assignments electronically through the Faculty of Science and Technology's Online Assignment System (OAS) - details will be provided. You are expected to work on the assignments independently, but you can ask for assistance from the teaching staff.You can obtain feedback on your progress throughout the unit through the following mechanisms:
Assessment name:
Project
Description:
Develop an integrated model as part of an enterprise architecture and a software design refined from it.
Relates to objectives:
1, 2, 3
Weight:
40%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
Week 10
Assessment name:
Final Examination (written)
Description:
A written examination which covers the material presented in the lectures and practical sessions throughout the semester. A grade of Pass or higher in the final examination is required.
Relates to objectives:
1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Weight:
60%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
Exam Period
Academic Honesty
QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.
A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.
Resource materials
No extraordinary charges or costs are associated with the requirements for this unit.
Recommended Reading:
Lankhorst, M. et al (1998), Enterprise Architecture at Work: Modelling, Communication and Analysis: Springer.
Risk assessment statement
There are no unusual health or safety risks associated with this unit. It is your responsibility to familiarise yourself with the Health and Safety policies and procedures applicable within campus areas and laboratories.
Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.
Last modified: 24-Oct-2012
