In particular consider whether the portfolio approach applied to IS/IT is the same as managing other business assets such as products and services.
IMPORTANT In addition, for each of these topics you are required to include a section that discusses the topic in terms of the feedback mechanisms & inputs into the whole IS/IT Strategy formulation process as exemplified by Figure 3.7 from Unit 3.
The Requirements for the Assessment You are required to write a 3500-word journal article in an academic style on the specific title mentioned above. This will involve undertaking independent research of theory (e.g. books, journal articles, internet) and practice (e.g. examples and case studies). Any Information Systems type Journal which is available online can be used for examples of the style of writing to be adopted.
Undertaking the Assessment
You should undertake independent research of theory (e.g. books, journal articles, internet)
and practice (e.g. examples and case studies) to write your report.
You may of course consult your lecture notes and readings already provided, but you will find
that they must be expanded on by your own research
The Library can be used to find good quality journal articles and reports to provide further
contextual information. Note that visiting company web sites can be helpful, as well as the
business magazines already mentioned (Fortune/Bloomberg) as well as other company
information sites.
All sources used must be formally acknowledged. The report must have referencing of an
appropriate standard, and must use the Style and format notes below.
Use the marking schema below to plan the report – it shows the relative weighting of each section
e.g., the “Synthesis & Analysis of the main topic under discussion” section is weighted as 35 out
of 100, so it might be reasonably expected to take about a third of your total effort and to contain
about 30% of the total words within the main text.
Assessment Report Structure
Title: clearly identifying selected scenario/organisation/industry
Abstract:
Introduction: Contextual outline of the scenario/organisation/industry chosen.
Main Text: This section can be sub-divided as you see fit and should contain your in
depth discussion of the topic. It should include your analysis and synthesis of the main
issues and discuss your chosen example extensively which should be illustrated with
appropriate diagrams, tables and figures.
Conclusions, critical evaluation and appraisal & way forward: Bring together the
main points and summarise as well as pointing out difficulties and deficiencies, caveats
and cautions in the analysis and obstacles to a better analysis/outcome.
Appendices: You may include appendices where it is necessary to provide further
evidence or explanation. You may use appendices to justify the arguments in the main
text but they cannot earn you marks in their own right.
Style and format notes: The report will be marked anonymously. Please do not put your name anywhere on the document, but do provide your matriculation number on the front page. Word length: The target length of the main text is 3500 words +/- 10%. A report of less than this length is unlikely to contain adequate content, which will reduce the marks available. Word count should be displayed on the front page. Page layout: Submissions must be printed single sided and be in Arial font, 11 pt., 1.5 line spaced. It should be stapled in the top left corner and must not be inserted into any folder or other covering. References: The author-date system of source citation should be used in the text, e.g. (Smith, 2009). Please use the guidelines available through Moodle to help ensure that your paper meets recognised standards of referencing. Please do NOT use footnotes for references1 . Illustrations and tables, appendices: Captions for tables and figures should use an alternative font to the main text (eg 10 point bold). They should be referred to in the text using Arabic numerals, e.g. Figure 1, Figure 2, Table 1, Table 2, etc., in order of appearance.
