Registry

Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2012 - 2013
Please note that this information is subject to change.

Module Title	Information Systems Architecture
Module Code	CA654
School	School of Computing
Online Module Resources
Module Co-ordinator	Semester 1: Markus Helfert Semester 2: Markus Helfert Autumn: Markus Helfert
Module Teacher	Markus Helfert
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	7.5
Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

Description

This course will examine the main concepts and managerial aspects of Information System Architecture. The course provides an overview of necessary models, practices and capabilities for defining, planning and managing Information System Architecture.In information technology and information systems, especially in the areas of computing, architectures refers to both dynamic view in form of processes and the specification of the overall structure, logical components, and the logical interrelationships of a system. The conceptual description of both views builds the methodological framework for understanding the alignment of software applications and information technologies, business processes and the corporate strategy.The course describes architectures of information systems and explains the concept of different architectural views and levels. A focus will be on managing Information System Architectures and modelling business processes as well as the context within which it is seen as both desirable and necessary in modern businesses. The environmental conditions and the enabling technologies will be examined, and comparisons drawn with other management techniques.

Learning Outcomes

1. Define and describe Frameworks for Information System Architectures and IT Service Management
2. Clarify the interaction of corporate strategies, business processes and information systems
3. Apply architecture processes and methodology for defining, developing and maintaining architectures
4. Define and describe a business process and use standard techniques to analyse and re-design a business process
5. Explain architecture governance and important managing roles, responsibilities, principles and skills for architecture management.
6. Be able to define, measure and understand the value of architecture to the business
7. Describe the inter-relationship between IT Service Quality, cost and value
8. Evaluate a business situation and identify in it the relevant driving factors and environmental conditions for process change

Workload	Full-time hours per semester
*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Lecture	36	No Description
Assignment	60	Research Report
Independent learning time	91.5	No Description
Total Workload: 187.5

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Introduction to Modelling (Modelling, Concepts and meta-modelling etc.).
Enterprise and Reference Modelling.

Process Modelling and Organisation Modelling - different techniques (e.g. EPC, basis concepts of organisation charts, etc.).
Information Systems Modelling: Model Driven Architecture (MDA).

Workflow-Technology: Modelling and Development approaches.
Process Modelling and Analysis.

Managing IT Service Quality and Value.
Total quality management / continuous improvement.

Managing Innovation.
Business process engineering/ radical improvement.

Soft systems methodology.
Analysis and Simulation techniques for process analysis.

Case Studies.

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	30%	Examination Weight	70%

Course Work Breakdown
Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Essay	Research Report - MDA	30%	Week 12

Reassessment Requirement
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; 1 = A resit is available for all components of the module 2 = No resit is available for 100% continuous assessment module 3 = No resit is available for the continuous assessment component
This module is category 1

Indicative Reading List

Mathias Weske: 0, Business Process Management,
Marc Lankhorst et al.: 0, Enterprise Architecture at Work: Modelling, Communication and Analysis, Springer,
Davenport, T.: 1993, Process Innovation: reengineering work through information technology, HBR Press,
Jörg Becker, Martin Kugeler & Michael Roseman (eds): 2003, Process Management., Process Management.,
Sethi, Vikram and William R. King: 1998, Organisational transformation through business process reengineering, Prentice Hall,
Galliers, R and W. Baets: 1998, Information Technology and organisational transformation, innovation for the 21st century, Wiley,
Dutta, Soumitra and Jean Francois Manzone: 1999, Process reengineering, organisational change and performance improvement, McGraw Hill,
Scott-Morton, M.S.: 1991, The corporation of the 1990's: information technology and organisational transformation, Oxford University Press,