Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Postgraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2024-2025

Module BUSI41W15: INFORMATION SYSTEMS: REALISING THE BENEFITS (DL)

Department: Management and Marketing

BUSI41W15: INFORMATION SYSTEMS: REALISING THE BENEFITS (DL)

Type Tied Level 4 Credits 15 Availability Not available in 2024/2025 Module Cap
Tied to N1D317
Tied to N1D217
Tied to N1D314

Prerequisites

  • None.

Corequisites

  • None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None.

Aims

  • This module addresses the business challenges of realising the benefits from an investment in Information Systems (IS). The aim is to equip students with an in-depth understanding at an advanced level of the principles and practices required to lead an IS-enabled business transformation and change programme and ensure the potential benefits are realised for their organisation.

Content

  • Introduction to Benefits Management.
  • A benefits perspective on the project lifecycle.
  • Developing the Benefits Plan.
  • Stakeholder analysis.
  • Adapting the approach to the context.
  • Business roles in IS / change projects.
  • Benefits review – assessing the outcomes.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • By the end of this module, students should:
  • Have a critical appreciation of the value of a benefit-driven framework for the management of an IS-enabled business change programme;
  • Have a critical appreciation of major success/failure factors for IS initiatives.
Subject-specific Skills:
  • By the end of this module, students should:
  • be able to use a range of specialised practices for ensuring strategic alignment of an IS-enabled business change programme;
  • be able to use a range of specialised practices for planning and initiating an IS-enabled business change programme;
Key Skills:
  • Adaptability, and critical and reflective abilities in response to unpredictable and problematic situations.
  • Written communication.
  • Planning, organising and time management.
  • Problem solving and analysis.
  • Using initiative.
  • Computer literacy.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

  • The module is delivered in discrete Units. These are designed to enable the learning outcomes to be achieved through a combination of specially written material, directed reading, reflection through self-assessed assignments and guidance for further reading. Module tutors provide feedback on formative work and are available for individual consultation as necessary (by email, telephone, post or fax).
  • The written assignment will test students’ understanding of relevant concepts and their ability to apply and interpret what they have learned to the analysis of a particular issue in depth.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
DL Study Units (a combination of specially written material, directed reading, self-assessed assignments and guidance for further reading) 150
Total 150

Summative Assessment

Component: Written Assignment Component Weighting: 100%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Written Assignment 4,000 words maximum 100%

Formative Assessment:

Written assignment of 1,500 words (maximum)


Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University