Assessment $1$ Information

Subject Code: TECH$1300$

Subject Name: Information Systems in Business

Assessment Title: Report

Assessment Type: Individual

Word Count: $1200/1000/10$MIN Words $(+/-10\%)$

Weighting: $25\%$

Total Marks: $25$

Submission: MyKBS

Due Date: Week $4$

Your Task

This assessment is to be completed individually. In this assessment, you are required to prepare an indepth analytical report that evaluates the components of an information system $($IS$)$ within a modern organisation. Your evaluation should consider the strategic implications, challenges, and opportunities of these components in supporting business operations. Incorporate real$-$life examples from current businesses or industries to support your analysis and to illustrate the real$-$world implications of these components.

Assessment Description

As businesses evolve and the complexity of their operations increases, Information Systems $($IS$)$ become crucial not just as operational tools but as strategic assets. These systems, if leveraged effectively, can provide organisations with a significant competitive advantage. In this advanced assessment, you will critically analyse and evaluate the integral components of an IS$,$ understanding their strategic value, potential risks, and the nuances of their implementation and maintenance. Your aim is to go beyond a mere understanding and to critically assess each component's strategic role, challenges, and value proposition in a dynamic business context.

This assessment aims to achieve the following subject learning outcomes:

LO$1$ Evaluate the components of an information system used in organisations to support business operations.

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Assessment Instructions

$$ Format:

$1.$ Your report should adopt a professional, formal report format.

$2.$ Utilise appropriate headings and subheadings to structure your content effectively.

$$ Introduction:

$1.$ Introduce the topic of Information Systems in the context of strategic business operations.

$2.$ Clearly outline the scope and objectives of your report.

$$ Main Body:

$1.$ System Hardware: Critically analyse the strategic implications, potential risks, and value of tangible components such as servers, computers, etc. in the context of evolving business needs.

$2.$ System Software: Evaluate the strategic role of operating systems, middleware, and application software in modern organisations. Assess potential vulnerabilities and their business implications.

$3.$ Data and Databases: Critically analyse the evolving role of data and databases, considering factors like big data, data analytics, and data security.

$4.$ Networks: Evaluate the strategic importance of networks in contemporary businesses, considering challenges like cybersecurity and the integration of cloud technologies.

$5.$ Procedures: Assess the standard operations and procedures, focusing on their strategic alignment, potential inefficiencies, and areas for improvement.

$6.$ People: Evaluate the changing roles of individuals in an IS$,$ from IT specialists to end$-$users, and the challenges and opportunities this presents in a digital transformation context.

$$ Real$-$life Examples:

$1.$ For each component you evaluate, integrate at least one real$-$life example that exemplifies the strategic challenges or successes related to that component. This can be drawn from case studies, current events, or in$-$depth industry analyses.

$$ Conclusion:

$1.$ Synthesise the main points from your evaluation, reiterating the strategic importance of understanding IS components in a modern business landscape.

$2.$ Offer forward$-$looking insights or recommendations based on your evaluation.

$$ References:

$1.$ Ensure that you cite any sources or materials referenced. All citations should adhere

to a recognised citation style $$ KBS recommends using KBS Harvard referencing style.

$$ Submission: $1.$ Your report should be submitted in Word Document or PDF format.

$$ Please refer to the assessment marking guide to assist you in completing all the assessment criteria.

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