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4 pages/β‰ˆ1100 words
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APA
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Technology
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Essay
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English (U.S.)
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Module 1 Case Assigment: Challenges in IT System Planning

Essay Instructions:

Module 1 - Case
IT SYSTEMS PLANNING AND ACQUISITION
Assignment Overview
This module is about the problems of creating companywide systems and acquiring the necessary hardware, software, and qualified IT personnel. It is also about all the reasons why this is a very difficult thing to do, at least in accordance with plans and within the budget. Like all organizational decision making, systems planning and acquisition is a complex muddle of conflicting goals, interests, unclear reasons, payoffs, and poor communication. This indictment is presented without apology, because it is, in fact, typical. This is not to say that there are not exceptions, and occasionally systems planning and acquisition is actually done well. But many things in the organization mitigate against this, and we often fight a rearguard action against all the forces that work routinely in favor of chaos.
A good start will be to go over the fundamentals of IT system planning:
Toolbox.com (2005, July 31), Strategic systems planning – methodology, Retrieved from http://it(dot)toolbox(dot)com/blogs/enterprise-solutions/strategic-systems-planning-methodology-5197
Ram Dutt Shukla (2009, July 21), Information system plan, Slideshare, Retrieved from http://www(dot)slideshare(dot)net/engineerrd/information-system-plan-1747661#btnNext
A good place to begin is also with Dion Hinchcliffe's article on enterprise architecture structure and development:
Hinchcliffe D., (2009, August 11). Pragmatic new models for enterprise architecture take shape. Retrieved from http://www(dot)zdnet(dot)com/blog/hinchcliffe/pragmatic-new-models-for-enterprise-architecture-take-shape/674.
But the ruination of many good plans for rational and systematic architectures lies in what's called "scope creep" -- the gradual changing of a design during its implementation, often to the point where it becomes unrecognizable. Here's a short video that illustrates the issue. It's not about an information system as such, but you'll recognize the dialogue here, perhaps in a familiar context:
EngPMgt. (2011). Scope creep – Project Management. Retrieved from http://www(dot)youtube(dot)com/watch?v=AHSjpFUKQR4.
So what to do about it? Well, here are two pretty good sets of advice:
Vandermitt, C. (2011, June 11). Managing scope creep in project management. The Project Management Hut. Retrieved from http://www(dot)pmhut(dot)com/managing-scope-creep-in-project-management.
Baker, A., & Greer, M. (2011). Best practices for minimizing project scope creep focus. Retrieved from http://michaelgreer(dot)biz/BP-project-scope-creep.pdf.
In addition, the optional readings expand on many of the central points; you may also want to do some independent Internet-based research of your own to clarify any issues that concern you.
Case Assignment
When you have read through the articles and related material, please compose a 4- to 6-page critical analysis paper, following the general point/counterpoint model described below, on the topic:
Review the challenges in IT system planning and discuss in detail the problem of scope creep
You must pick one of the two opposing points of view to defend in your paper, although you aren't necessarily obligated to discredit the opposing viewpoint; simply argue that the viewpoint you are taking is better supported by the literature and the evidence. Obviously, as noted below, this will obligate you to actually be able to present such evidence in an academically respectable manner.
Assignment Expectations
Your paper should be short (4-6 pages, not including cover sheet and references) and to the point. It is to be structured as a point/counterpoint argument, in the following manner.
You are expected to:
Begin this paper by stating your position on this question clearly and concisely
Citing appropriate sources, present the reasons why you take this position. Be sure to make the most effective case you can.
Then present the best evidence you can, again citing appropriate sources, against your position -- that is, establish what counterarguments can be made to your original position.
Finally, review your original position in light of the counterarguments, showing how they are inadequate to rebut your original statement.
By the end of your paper, you should be able to unequivocally re-affirm your original position.
You will be particularly assessed on:
Your ability to see what the module is all about and to structure your paper accordingly.
Your informed commentary and analysis -- simply repeating what your sources say does not constitute an adequate paper.
Your ability to apply the professional language and terminology of communications and information systems correctly and in context; you are expected to be familiar with this language and use it appropriately.
Your effective and appropriate use of in-text citations to the assigned readings and other source material to support your arguments. Refer to the Purdue University APA formatting and style guide (see required readings) for the proper formats

Essay Sample Content Preview:

Challenges in IT system planning
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Challenges in IT System planning
Information systems planning for most companies have become a challenge and adopting a working solution is a headache to most organizations. Most businesses would plan to have a working outline for the future but fail because of poor planning (Harold, 2013). Going by the focus of the business, there are issues of scope creep that most people have not found easy to handle and make workable for their future. Most of these issues result from the poor ways of planning for an organization and the methods of handling any complications (Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, 2014). Here is an analysis of what causes the challenges of planning and scope creeps for most organizations and the possible ways of handling them in the future. It will highlight why it is has become a challenging issue, and the reasons why adopting a permanent solution in a fast changing information technology world is complicated.
In planning the information systems, an organization should have a clear plan of what they wish to achieve after some period. Working towards the goals is easier than altering actions along the way to suit what one feels is not right after starting. It should incorporate the best procedures to work on and handle the challenges that come along. The goals will define several actions and choices for an organization (Christian, 2014). The experience of information technology managers will define which design will work better for an organization.
Under these circumstances, the first problem businesses face is handling the technical challenges in an organization under information technology. Information technology is a basic tool for this case, and the speed at which is picking in the business world will alter several things (Harold, 2013). When the technical knowhow cannot go in line with the goals of the organization, it will be tough for firms to make their goals a reality. It is required that an organization makes the best decisions and moves with speed to acquire what is best for them. The changing systems of IT require a robust application.
Quality controls of an organization and the plans they have are a must conditions for the success of businesses working with IT in major operations. Most people d ignore the quality of their plans. While planning, it will be best to identify the qualities one must meet. Some designs could appear good in design, but the quality of the work they deliver may not satisfy the goals of an organization (Christian, 2014). These challenges spread to the information technology systems in two ways.
The initial plan is the delivery of the set goals at the right time. Secondly, the identified system should meet the control measures of standard coding methodology to make work easier. The entire system will spread from the management to the lower branches and departments in an organization (Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, 2014). Before achieving these, evaluation of the entire appearance of an organization should represent what is good for their work. It should not be too ambitious or less ambitious but put the system in what will yield better profits to them.
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