Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 2 2012

Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.

Rationale

This unit discusses the key aspects relating to the selection, implementation, adoption, diffusion and management of Enterprise Systems (also known as Enterprise Resource Planning Systems). An Enterprise System (ES) is an off-the-shelf package that provides an integrated suite of applications which provide transaction processing and management information systems for the common core of business processes. Enterprise Systems provide comprehensive administrative systems and help to automate and streamline business processes. ES have been widely implemented worldwide, particularly in larger organizations. Enterprise System market exceeded USD$78 billion in 2004 and it has been one of the largest, fastest-growing application software industries in the world. Organisations invest substantial amount of resources in acquiring Enterprise Systems (ES) from vendors such as SAP, Mincom and Oracle, presumably expecting positive impacts to the organisation and its functions. Despite the optimistic objectives, some ES projects have reported nil or detrimental impacts to the organizations and its functions.

Aims

The unit presents and discusses the Enterprise Systems Lifecycle model, orienting you to the requirements of addressing total cost of ownership, change management requirements and process modelling requirements in order to achieve business benefits. Concepts of Enterprise Systems success and associated enablers and barriers are also introduced. This unit introduces the technical architecture of complex 3-tiered client server environments. Furthermore, this unit seeks to demonstrate how an Enterprise System application meets common core-business needs of an organization, and yet insufficient to meet the total Information Systems requirements (Information System Portfolio).

A series of practicals are used to develop a deeper understanding of the basic processes in business, employing procurement and order fulfilment cycle as examples. Students will gain practical skills in using the SAP Business Suite and focus on developing a deeper understanding of the integration of these processes. Furthermore, you will learn key concepts of business process management, process modeling methodologies and learn to use process modelling tools (e.g. ARIS).

This unit also seeks to develop better learning strategies for you, through engaging them in reflections on learning and evaluating learning styles. Finally, the unit seeks to enhance your critical thinking, problem solving, and report writing skills.

Objectives

On successful completion of this unit you should be able to:

1. Discuss how packaged Enterprise Systems (ES) achieve the goal of an integrated application system.
2. Explain the lifecycle of Enterprise Systems and every phase of the lifecycle.
3. Discuss the various critical issues and aspects associated with ES implementations.
4. Describe the technical architecture and main components of Enterprise Systems (e.g. SAP).
5. Execute simple business processes using SAP Enterprise System.
6. Use a software tool (e.g. ARIS) to develop Event Driven Process Chains (EPC).

The Graduate Capabilities:

1. Knowledge and Skills: The theoretical concepts of INN311 - Enterprise Systems - provide key concepts of Enterprise System applications and contemporary Information Systems. Students acquire practical skills of using an Enterprise System through the hands-on practical exercises.
2. Critical and Creative Thinking: This unit uses a number of real-world Enterprise Systems installation examples to enhance critical and creative thinking. In the key assessments (refer to assessments 1 and 3) you will use a real-world case study to critique the selection, implementation, usage and evaluation approaches of Enterprise Systems.
Independence and Collaboration: Assessments of INN311 are designed to demonstrate the capacity for self-assessment of learning needs as well as being a cooperative and productive team member or leader.

Content

You will be introduced to the Enterprise Systems Lifecycle model, orienting you to the requirements of addressing total cost of ownership, change management requirements and process modelling requirements in order to achieve business benefits. Concepts of Enterprise Systems success and associated enablers and barriers are also introduced. In this unit you will be introduced to the technical architecture of complex 3-tiered client server environments.

A series of practicals are used to develop a deeper understanding of the basic processes in business, employing procurement and order fulfilment cycle as examples.You will gain practical skills in using the SAP Business Suite and focus on developing a deeper understanding of the integration of these processes. Furthermore, you will also learn key concepts of business process management, process modeling methodologies and learn to use process modelling tools (e.g. ARIS).

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

Formal lecture presentations will provide the key theoretical concepts relating to Enterprise Systems. A number of case studies and industry guest presenters will demonstrate the theoretical aspects using real-world examples. Further teaching and learning is facilitated through your active participation in practicals. The practicals provide you with a structured opportunity to acquire the practical skills of Enterprise Systems. Attendance at the practical is strongly recommended. Each practical session is designed for you to complete a set of activities using an Enterprise System application in the PC laboratories and to discuss a set of theoretical practical questions.

Concurrent Teaching
This unit is being taught concurrently with an undergraduate offering of the same subject. University policy permits that postgraduate and undergraduate students attend the same lectures. Separate practical/discussion groups will be provided for postgraduate students where student numbers allow. As a postgraduate student you will be required to complete separate or additional assessment tasks. For this unit that means the lectures of INN311 are conducted with INB311. However, it should be noted that there are substantial differences in practical - with separate practical for postgraduate students, assessments - focusing on managerial and technical aspects of ES and marking/feedback procedures.

Assessment

Criterion-Referenced Assessment
Appropriate assessment criteria will be made available to students at the introduction of assignment 1.All assessments and practical discussions of INN311 are designed to provide regular feedback on the theoretical and practical aspects of the unit. Feedback of assessments will be provided to you within two weeks. Assessment 1 is designed to specifically to test your knowledge on the SAP R/3 system. Feedback for assessment 2 is provided at the practical sessions. Furthermore, teaching staff are available during consultation hours and via email to clarify the content of the assessments and to provide constructive feedback on any element of the unit.

Assessment name: Laboratory/Practical
Description: Formative assessment. A reflective activity on theory questions, the development of practical skills and the process of learning. The practical work is completed weekly from week 2 to week 11, and reflective logs submitted week 5, 8 and week 11.
Relates to objectives: 1, 2, 3 and 4
Weight: 10%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Weeks 5, 8, 11

Assessment name: Laboratory/Practical
Description: SAP Practical Formative individual assessment
Relates to objectives: 5 and 6
Weight: 25%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Week 11

Assessment name: Examination (Theory)
Description: Exam covering the key theory concepts
Relates to objectives: All
Weight: 40%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Exam Period

Assessment name: Case Study
Description: Business Case Study (Practical Participation) Formative and summative group work developing a business case for the adoption of an Enterprise System.
Relates to objectives: 1, 4 and 6
Weight: 25%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Group
Due date: Week 12

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

Required Textbook(s):

There are no textbooks for this unit.

Recommended Textbooks(s):

INB/N311 SAP Workbook/CD, available from the QUT bookshop.

Useful reading:

Second-Wave Enterprise Resource Planning Systems: Implementing for Effectiveness, Edited by Graeme Shanks, Peter Seddon, Leslie Willcocks ISBN: 0521819024.

O Leary, D (2000) Enterprise Resource Planning Systems: systems, life cycle, electronic commerce and Risk, Cambridge ISBN 0 521 79152 9

No extraordinary charges or costs are associated with the requirements for this unit.

Risk assessment statement

There is no out-of-the-ordinary risks associated with this unit. It is your responsibility to familiarise yourself with the Health and Safety policies and procedures applicable within Faculty's 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: 05-Jun-2012