Due date: 1:00 pm AEST, Wednesday, Week 12 ASSESSMENT
Weighting: 55% 3
Length: 5000 words ± 10% (excluding title page, table of contents and reference list)
You are required (as a group with up to four members) to write a report based on the Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) case study.
Library link to case study:
http://www.igi-global.com.ezproxy.cqu.edu.au/gateway/chapter/full-text-pdf/6284
Reference: Kuilboer, J & Ashrafi, N 2006, ‘Information systems redesign in a state social services agency: A case study’, in M. Khosrow-Pour (ed.), Cases on Information Technology and Business Process Reengineering, Hershey, PA, pp. 122-137.
DTA website URL http://www.mass.gov/eohhs/gov/departments/dta/about-the-department-of-transitional-assistance.html
For this report, you are to critically evaluate and write about DTA’s experience on an information system redesign project. In doing so, you will emphasise on its key functions and business processes, organisational structure and culture and analysis and design approaches.
For the main body of the report, you are advised to incorporate the four part structure outlined below:
Part 1: Processes, Organisational Structure and Redesign
Some points to consider are:
? Organisational background
? Functional units and processes
? Organisational structure and design
? Need for redesign
? Project vision
Part 2: Project Goals, Structure and Staffing
Some points to consider are:
? Project goals
? Project scope
? Project structure and staffing
Part 3: Process Analysis and Design
Some points to consider are:
? Process analysis
? Role of request for proposal
? Process design and rectifications
? Measuring progress/benchmarks
Part 4: Potential Risk Management and Challenges
Some points to consider are:
? Dealing with failure and external IT firms
? Barriers and enablers of effective process analysis and design
? Lessons learnt and path for future
The points above are used as examples and should not limit you in your reasoning and critical analysis.
Improvements, based on any identified shortcomings, should be provided in the Conclusion section of your report.
Assessment Format, Criteria and Marking Guide

Format
Your document should be presented in a report format, and incorporate the four part structure outlined above. In addition, your report should also contain a title page, executive summary, table of contents, introduction and conclusion of your evaluation. It is important that your report demonstrates a logical flow of discussion. It should be prepared in Microsoft Word (or equivalent) using 12 point font, 1.5 line spacing and margins of 2.54 cm.
It is highly recommended that you seek the help of Academic Learning Services Unit at least one week before the due date so that your report can be checked for spelling and grammatical errors.
Use headings and sub-headings as appropriate. Your report must include in-text referencing and a correctly cited list of references ordered alphabetically by surname of first author, in accordance with the Harvard style of referencing as referred to in the Abridged Harvard Referencing Guide. The report must be written using your own words with any in text citations clearly indicated.
Feel free to discuss your ideas with your work and student colleagues on the course discussion forum, before drawing your conclusions. You are encouraged to use figures, diagrams, models and tables to present your ideas.
Criteria
The assignment item in this course will be assessed according to the degree to which you demonstrate your capability in the following:
Selection and use of scholarly articles and books
? A wide and appropriate reading in the topic area (i.e. you have not just referred to the prescribed textbook and case study).
? At least 15 scholarly reference sources. All sources should be 2005 onwards.
? Used references to support, extend, and inform, but not substitute writer’s own development of ideas.
Content and argument
? An understanding of the material and concepts.
? Critical consideration of the main issues involved.
? The application of relevant concepts to your organisation and/or life experiences.
? An ability to construct logical, rational arguments to support your propositions, assertions or opinions.
? An ability to use the theory and other material to support your arguments.
? A capacity to critically evaluate the topic material.
Communication, presentation and referencing skills
? An ability to answer the assignment requirements in a clear, concise and comprehensive manner.
? A capacity to completely answer the assignment topic within the word limits set.
? Presentation skills, including correct grammar, spelling and punctuation.
? Submission of work in the appropriate format.
? Correct referencing style followed for both in-text citations and the referencing list.
? Report length is 5000 words ± 10% (excluding title page, table of contents and reference list).
All assignments will be checked for plagiarism (material copied from other students and/or material copied from other sources) using Turn-It-In. If you are found to have plagiarised material or if you have used someone else’s words without appropriate referencing, you will be penalised for plagiarism which could result in zero marks for the whole assignment. In some circumstances a more severe penalty may be imposed.
Useful information about referencing and avoiding plagiarism can be found at:
http://www.cqu.edu.au/about-us/service-and-facilities/referencing
Group Formation and Submission Guidelines
It is required that you complete this assessment as a group with up to four members. Group membership must be finalised by the end of week 3 and you need to inform your campus lecturer of the group details. It is advisable that you form your own groups with students in your class. If you are having difficulty in forming a group, seek the advice of your campus lecturer. Flex students should refer all issues to the Course Coordinator.
However, if required because of personal circumstances, it may be possible to do the assignment alone. In order to do the assignment alone, you will need to seek the approval of your campus lecturer.
The coversheet for the group assignment must outline the names and IDs of all the group members. All group members must submit the same report on Moodle. Your marker will pick one member’s report from Moodle. The same mark will be applied to all the members of a group. Penalties will also be shared amongst the group hence it is important that all members submit the report on time and ensure that it is free of any plagiarism too.
Case Study Marking Criteria
Criteria Marks Available
Selection and use of scholarly articles and books 10
Content and argument
Part 1: Processes, Organisational Structure and Redesign
Part 2: Project Goals, Structure and Staffing
Part 3: Process Analysis and Design
Part 4: Potential Risk Management and Challenges
15
15
15
15
Title page, executive summary, table of contents, introduction and conclusion 10
Communication skills and presentation 10
Referencing and formatting 10
Assignment Total 100
Less Penalty(if any)
Overall assignment Total /100
Marks for this assignment will be awarded as above and scaled to 55%: