WM261-15 Information Systems for Business Processes
Introductory description
This module aims to enable students to become familiar with the Information Systems in organisations, their architecture, their use, their design, and their implementation.
Module aims
Apprentices need to understand information systems (IS), and the way they operate in business, including the underlying tools and techniques of business analysis - in particular assessing and upgrading capability.
Apprentices will explore different types of information systems, their functions, and the various roles related to information systems, enabling apprentices to distinguish between types of IS environments and options related to business processes. By learning to assess organizational capability and engage in stakeholder analysis, the methods by which change can be delivered are identified; apprentices will be able to apply change principles to their workplace.
A change to a business will be introduced, and apprentices will need to develop a business case to deliver that change. Apprentices will develop skills in requirements elicitation, demonstrating understanding of the value in the proposed business change, and learn to present the benefits of making changes to a working environment. This must include sustainability and any sensitivities to address issues around legal, moral and ethical organisational behaviour. Apprentices will also have the opportunity to identify potential improvements in the workplace and present these for consideration.
Outline syllabus
This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.
- Introduction to Information Systems
- Types of data and Information
- Types of Information Systems
- Hardware and Software
- Information systems architectures
- Systems Architecture
- Roles and Responsibilities in IS
- Requirements elicitation
- Business Strategy and its impact on IS provisions
- Strategic Alignment and Planning
- Critical Success Factors
- Change Management
- Problem solving in business using IS
- IT Investment and Acquisition
- The Business Case
- Effect of emerging technologies on business strategy
- Innovation in IT
- IT trends and issues
- Professional, social and ethical issues in information systems
Learning outcomes
By the end of the module, students should be able to:
- Analyse the various roles, functions and activities related to information systems within an organisation using robust research. [(AHEP: C4 ) (CITP: 2.1.3, 2.1.6, 2.1.13)]
- Evaluate how well a business understands its capabilities and the changes required to improve them. [(AHEP: C5, C7, C9 ) (CITP: 2.1.5, 2.1.6, 2.1.10, 2.1.13)]
- Strategically plan a sustainable digital technology solution acquisition identifying resources, key risks and conveying different acquisition options to key stakeholders. [(AHEP: C4, C5, C11 ) (CITP: 2.2.4, 2.2.5, 2.2.6)]
- Create a value plan to a moderately complex technology-oriented solution using industry standard requirements elicitation techniques supported by evidence. [(AHEP: C4, C12, C17 ) (CITP: 2.2.4, 2.2.5, 2.2.6, )]
- Deliver a preliminary business case for the implementation of a competitive technology solution including estimation of costs, benefits and key sensitivities. [(AHEP: C4, C5, C7, C9) (CITP: 2.2.4, 2.2.5, 2.2.6)]
Indicative reading list
Reading lists can be found in Talis
Specific reading list for the module
Subject specific skills
S2: Identify risks, determine mitigation strategies and opportunities for improvement in a digital and technology solutions project.
S9: Apply relevant security and resilience techniques to a digital and technology solution. For example, risk assessments, mitigation strategies.
S13: Report effectively to colleagues and stakeholders using the appropriate language and style, to meet the needs of the audience concerned.
Transferable skills
Reasoning skills; Estimation skills; Research skills; Business Analysis skills; Business case skills; Value Analysis Skills; Risk Analysis; Cost analysis; Stakeholder analysis; Acquisition management skills
Study time
| Type | Required |
|---|---|
| Lectures | 23 sessions of 1 hour (15%) |
| Seminars | 7 sessions of 1 hour (5%) |
| Work-based learning | 15 sessions of 1 hour (10%) |
| Online learning (independent) | 5 sessions of 1 hour (3%) |
| Other activity | 5 hours (3%) |
| Private study | 35 hours (23%) |
| Assessment | 60 hours (40%) |
| Total | 150 hours |
Private study description
35 hours guided self-study including:
- Self-guided study: revision on module contents, solution of additional seminar-type questions, video tutorials, software exercises and supplementary materials.
- Online forum for discussing queries with course peers and tutor.
- Distance learning support using technology enhanced learning.
- Work based observation and reflection
-Analyzing case studies of components.
-Teams/forum for discussing queries with course peers and tutor (asynchronous).
Other activity description
-Reading list given on Moodle to encourage flipped learning approach.
-Preparation for the practical work on worksheets and quizzes
-Online support session available for all students
Costs
No further costs have been identified for this module.
You must pass all assessment components to pass the module.
Assessment group A2
| Weighting | Study time | Eligible for self-certification | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Individual Business Case Report | 60% | 36 hours | Yes (extension) |
|
This assessment is an individual strategic business case report requiring students to analyse an organisational context and develop a structured, evidence-based proposal for a digital technology solution. Students must demonstrate strategic planning capability, value analysis, cost–benefit evaluation, and risk assessment in alignment with organisational objectives and sustainability considerations. |
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| Individual Portfolio (Written) | 40% | 24 hours | Yes (extension) |
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This assessment is an individual Information Systems analysis portfolio designed to assess students’ understanding of how information systems operate within organisational contexts and how digital solutions are developed and implemented. Students produce structured Information Systems analytical outputs supported by concise commentary demonstrating understanding of system context, information flows, organisational roles, risks, and implementation considerations. The emphasis is on structuring and interpreting information rather than extended narrative writing. |
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Assessment group R2
| Weighting | Study time | Eligible for self-certification | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Individual Business Case Report | 60% | No | |
|
The reassessment for this component is an individual strategic business case report of equivalent scope and academic level. Students will analyse an alternative organisational scenario and develop a structured, evidence-based proposal addressing digital strategy, value analysis, cost–benefit estimation, risk, and implementation considerations. The assessment continues to require integration of organisational theory, strategic planning, and professional judgement in alignment with the same Learning Outcomes. |
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| Individual Portfolio (Written) | 40% | No | |
|
The reassessment for the 60% component is an individual strategic business case for digital change. Students are required to analyse an organisational context and develop a structured, evidence-based proposal addressing digital strategy, implementation considerations, risks, and organisational impact. The assessment requires integration of organisational theory, strategic change principles, and professional judgement to support recommendations. |
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Feedback on assessment
Feedback will be given as appropriate to the assessment type:
- Verbal individual and group feedback during lectures, seminar sessions, and on in class assessments
- Written and verbal cohort-level feedback on in-class assessments
- Written individual summative feedback on in-class and post module assessment.
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Quizzes are marked automatically by Moodle and are formative in nature.
Courses
This module is Core for:
- Year 2 of UWMS-H65E Undergraduate Digital and Technology Solutions (Cyber)
- Year 2 of DWMS-H655 Undergraduate Digital and Technology Solutions (Cyber) (Degree Apprenticeship)
- Year 2 of UWMS-H65B Undergraduate Digital and Technology Solutions (Data Analytics)
- Year 2 of DWMS-H652 Undergraduate Digital and Technology Solutions (Data Analytics) (Degree Apprenticeship)
- Year 2 of UWMS-H65C Undergraduate Digital and Technology Solutions (Network Engineering)
- Year 2 of DWMS-H653 Undergraduate Digital and Technology Solutions (Network Engineering) (Degree Apprenticeship)
- Year 2 of UWMS-H65D Undergraduate Digital and Technology Solutions (Software Engineering)
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DWMS-H654 Undergraduate Digital and Technology Solutions (Software Engineering) (Degree Apprenticeship)
- Year 2 of H654 Digital and Technology Solutions (Software Engineering) (Degree Apprenticeship)
- Year 2 of H654 Digital and Technology Solutions (Software Engineering) (Degree Apprenticeship)