Students will be responsible for assignments and projects, which may include reports on how specific businesses deal with issues regarding the management of their database environment. The course investigates topics such as those listed below. Starting with assessing feasibility and conducting cost-benefit analysis of proposed projects, the course investigates methods and tools of organizing, staffing, budgeting, scheduling, coordinating, and controlling IS projects. Students learn and apply management tools and techniques for overseeing the project, factoring the problem and developing time estimates for each task, and determining and measuring milestones. The use of design and development productivity tools for managerial control is investigated, and the importance of project documentation for effective management is emphasized.
Students learn how to use post-implementation reviews to aid in subsequent managerial decisions.
Finally, the course also investigates techniques appropriate for managing projects involving prototyping and purchased software. Students apply these concepts by working as a group on a real-world business information system development project of medium complexity. Outside speakers also provide insights into how their companies manage different phases of system development. The course investigates topics such as those listed below. It is designed to show how such systems can assist managers in setting and achieving organizational objectives effectively and efficiently.