IT7713 Management of IT

Exercise A7.Goal- Select a Goal for your Team Research Project

Developed by Richard Halstead-Nussloch Version 11Aug21

Modified by Geetika Vyas Version 21Oct2024

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Review, Evaluate and Adopt Approaches to Performing Research into IT Management

Being successful in this course requires you to pursue research in the management of IT.  This exercise intends to aid you in doing so.

Readings for this assignment:

• Selected readings on the web for background on approaches to process analysis and case studies in the course of the management of IT
• OPTIONAL Recommended Course Textbook [1] (Course Syllabus) – Preface through Chapter 11

Actions/Deliverables for this assignment:

• Read as per above
• Work with your project team to choose an IT-management research project goal (see below)
• Submit this completed assignment and these deliverables in the ‘A7.Research Goal, Plan and Outline of Deliverables’ assignment tool:

Q1) (75 Points) Work with your team and analyze and assess the following possible IT-management research projects for this assignment, which is to perform a significant research project in the management of IT:

1. Develop a paper for submission for publication in the management of IT, initially selecting a publication or conference venue and then aiming the paper towards submitting to that venue
2. Develop an important planning document in the practice of managing IT, e.g., information security plan, risk-management plan, IT staffing plan, IT audit plan, disaster recovery plan, business continuity plan or business continuity exercise plan
3. Develop a white paper in the area of the management of IT, e.g., alignment of COBIT, ITIL and CMMI-ACQ for maximizing both the strategic and operational capabilities of the firm through IT; or the role of standard metrics and processes in the management of IT or management in one of the classical foundational areas of IT: Databases, HCI, Networking, Programming, Security, and Web Systems
4. Perform and report a significant research project of your own design involving the analysis, synthesis and integration of information and knowledge about the management of IT focusing on one or two of the main topics (chapter titles) of our OPTIONAL Recommended text [1]:
   1. IT manager role
   2. Managing the IT team
   3. Staffing your IT team
   4. Project management
   5. Software, OS and enterprise apps
   6. Managing the money
   7. Technical environment
   8. Security and compliance
   9. Disaster recovery
   10. Working with users
   11. Connectivity
5. Develop a career plan and portfolio suitable for pursuing a career as an IT manager. Populate this package with materials (resume, cover letter, job searches, work products, etc.) suitable for obtaining your next (or first) job in IT with a documented path of moving into IT management. It is recommended that you work with other branches of KSU on this, including the international office, career planning and placement, etc. Make sure to address all bridges, boundaries and constraints, e.g., job market, visa status, location and relocation, references, etc.

Once you and your team have assessed the possibilities, your team should choose any one of the above and provide as much detail as you can here.  Also, include a rationale for your choice.

1.     Your team’s choice of project goal:

2.     Your team’s rationale for this choice:

3.     Your team’s tentative action plan: (provide key tasks, deadlines, and roles to ensure efficient collaboration and timely completion)

Q2) (25 Points) From your perspective, describe how your team’s research project into the management of IT achieves the learning outcomes for the course listed in the syllabus, which are repeated here. Please be as detailed as possible.

Upon successful completion of the course, each student will be able to:

1. Define and discuss major IT concepts and terms and link them to business.
2. Base the management of IT on the needs of the business
3. Identify and utilize best practices and methods for:
   1. Working professionally both individually and on a team
   2. Identifying business and information needs in the organization
   3. Characterizing management structures of the organization
   4. Managing the planning, control, operation and decision-making of IT in the organization to support its business and information needs
4. Perform a business-case analysis focusing on IT
5. Perform independent research into the management of IT

Sources and works used in completing this exercise:

1.     Holtsnider, B. and Jaffe, B.D. IT Manager’s Handbook, Third Edition: Getting your new job done. New York: Morgan Kaufmann, 2012, ISBN 978-0124159495.

Required: Please add your list of sources.

Required: Please complete the following:

___ I did not use any method of citation (maximum B on the assignment).

___ I used the ACM approach and have cited my references as I went in the text and also listed them at the end.

___ I used the APA approach and have cited my references as I went in the text and also listed them at the end.

___ I used the MLA approach and have cited my references as I went in the text and also listed them at the end.

Required: Acknowledgements of people and discussions used in completing this exercise: