Information Systems in Organizations Papers
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FRAJOWarehousingDistributionCompanyITDecisionPaperAssignment.pdf
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FRAJO Warehousing & Distribution Company (FWDC) IT Decision Paper Assignment
Before you begin this assignment, be sure you have read the “FRAJO Warehousing & Distribution
Company Case Study,” any feedback on your proposed IT project from your ITSP Part 2 assignment, and the previously assigned course materials.
Purpose of this Assignment
This assignment gives you the opportunity to apply the course concepts to develop an IT Decision Paper to explain and defend an IT project at FRAJO Warehousing & Distribution Company (FWDC). This assignment specifically addresses the following course outcomes to enable you to:
• Apply best practices in information technology management and governance to make, defend, and justify an IT decision.
IT Decision Paper for Your Proposed IT Project
For your ITSP, Part 2, you proposed an IT project for FWDC. Fran, the CIO at FWDC, has asked you to write an IT Decision Paper to explain your proposed project. She wants to use the Paper to gain
approval from the Governance Board to move forward with the project. This assignment uses a format
for a Decision Paper that has been tailored to the course material covered in this class. You may work for an organization that has a format for IT decision papers, and it would be a good idea for you to look
at it, but it will likely be structured a little differently from this one. Each organization develops tools and
techniques that will work for them.
Assignment
You will develop an IT Decision Paper, using the outline below. Each of the topics to be included in your
outline is covered in the course content readings assigned thus far. In addition to the course materials,
at least one external resource (resource other than those provided in the class) must be used. Two or more cited references will earn top credit. Use a separate References page to list just the
references you have cited. Remember to use the APA formatting rules and correctly cite and reference your sources with APA format. Use the Grading Rubric to be sure you have covered
everything. Submit your paper as a Microsoft Word document, or a document that can be read using
Word, with your last name included in the filename.
Please use this outline to build your IT Decision Paper. Use the numbering and headings shown below.
1. Project Description – In two or three sentences, describe the IT project you proposed for FWDC
in Part 2 of your ITSP. Describe what major function(s) the system would perform and who would use it. (Do not provide a technical description with hardware, software, etc.)
2. Strategic Alignment – In a short paragraph, explain how the proposed project aligns to the business strategic objectives in Part 1 of your ITSP, and how the proposed project aligns to the
IT strategies in Part 2 of your ITSP. Your proposed project must be aligned directly with at least one business strategic objective and one IT strategy shown in your ITSP.
3. IT Portfolio Alignment – Briefly explain where this project fits into the IT Portfolio roadmap you included in Part 2 of your ITSP. What functional area does it support? Where should it be
included in the timeline – i.e., should it take priority or be done before another project in the IT Portfolio?
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4. IT Architecture – Briefly explain how this project fits in with other systems in place or in
development at FWDC. Explain whether it should interface with (share data of any kind with) other systems either in place or in development. Explain whether it replaces another system or
multiple systems in use at FWDC. Refer to the Inventory of Current IT Projects in Part 1 of your ITSP and the IT Portfolio in Part 2 of your ITSP.
5. Benefits: Describe at a high level at least three benefits the project provides to FWDC. The benefits should correspond to the business strategies and the strategic alignment discussed in
section 2 above. Discuss this relationship/alignment for each benefit. Refer to course content readings from Week 4 on Value Attainment. External research may also be beneficial.
Please copy/paste the following table into your paper and complete it:
Benefit Alignment to IT Strategy Alignment to Business
Strategic Objective
6. Requirements – List and briefly explain the high-level requirements for the project. First, explain the primary driver of the project (major need of the business identified in the Case Study). Refer
to course content readings regarding requirements. External research may also be beneficial. Develop at least 8 requirements for the project, and include what category of the requirements
below your presented requirements fit into:
a. Business/user requirements
b. IT/system requirements c. At least one system performance requirement
Please copy/paste the following table into your paper and complete it:
Requirement Business/User; IT/System or System Performance
7. Cost Estimation - During the Assessment Phase, Cost Estimation consists of estimating the size and complexity of the project, not the effort required or the actual projected dollar costs. Copy
the table below and place an X (or other indication) in the box that most closely describes the
size and complexity of your proposed solution. Use your judgment and then write a short
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paragraph to introduce and explain the assessments in your table. Refer to course content
readings from Week 4 on Cost Estimation, especially the Assessment Phase.
Assessment of Project Size and Complexity
Size/Complexity Small Medium Large
Very Complex
Moderately Complex
Straightforward
8. Performance Measures – This section explains how FWDC will know whether the project is
achieving the benefits identified above in section 5. Review the benefits, and look at the requirements you identified, and come up with three performance measures that will indicate the
extent to which the projected benefits have been achieved. (For example, if you had identified a
benefit that the project would result in more repeat customers, then a measurement for that would be the number of repeat customers with the goal that the number would increase.) Refer
to course content readings on Performance Measurement. This may be a good area to do some web research. The measures should be presented in a table with an introductory sentence or
two:
Benefit to Business Measure
1.(example: increase in repeat customers) (example: number of repeat customers)
2.
3.
9. System Development - Describe how you will use the System Development Life Cycle (SDLC)
process to approach this project. Include the following 5 stages: Plan, Design, Build, Test,
Launch. In two to three sentences each, explain how each stage would be handled by Fran’s IT team and who else in FWDC should be involved in each stage. Refer to course content materials
on SDLC.
The "right" and "wrong" answers have to do with if you correctly incorporated the course concepts from
the course content and addressed all parts of the assignment. You need to do some external research on at least one aspect of the assignment - your choice - and incorporate it and cite/reference it in
APA format in your response. The project you propose is not as important as that it makes sense considering the course content and the Case Study. Use the Rubric below to be sure you have covered all aspects of the assignment.
GRADING RUBRIC:
Criterion 90-100% Far Above
Standards
80-89% Above
Standards
70-79% Meets
Standards
60-69% Below
Standards
< 60% Well Below
Standards
Possible Points
Project Description
5 Points
Description of the project is
clear and concise, covers
functions and
users, and sets
4 Points
Description of the project is clear
and concise, covers functions
and users, and
sets the stage for
3.5 Points
Description of the IT Project
includes what it does (functions it
performs) and
who uses it.
3 Points
Description of the project is
unclear, not concise,
and/or does
not set the
0-2 Points
Little or no description of
the proposed IT project is
included.
5
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the stage for the
remainder of the paper;
demonstrates
understanding of course
concepts, analysis and
critical thinking.
the remainder of
the paper.
stage for the
remainder of the paper.
Strategic Alignment
9-10 Points
Explanation of proposed
project includes
clear and well- supported
alignment to at least one
business
objective in Part 1 of the ITSP
and one IT strategy in Part
2 of the ITSP; explanation is
very appropriate
to the Case Study and
clearly tied to the proposed IT
project.
8 Points
Explanation of proposed project
includes clear
alignment to at least one business
objective in Part 1 of the ITSP and
one IT strategy in
Part 2 of the ITSP; explanation is
appropriate to the Case Study and
tied to the proposed IT
project.
7 Points
Explanation of proposed project
includes direct
alignment to at least one
business strategic objective in Part
1 of the ITSP and
to at least one IT strategy in Part 2
of the ITSP.
6 Points
Explanation of business
objectives
and/or IT strategies are
incomplete; and/or are
only partially
appropriate to the Case
Study or the proposed IT
project.
0-5 Points
Explanation of Strategic
Alignment is
minimal or not included.
10
IT Portfolio Alignment
9-10 Points
This section
thoroughly explains the
relationship of the proposed IT
project to the IT Portfolio
Roadmap in Part
2 of the ITSP, including a full
explanation of the functional
area supported,
and where this project fits in
the timeline.
8 Points
This section clearly
explains the relationship of the
proposed IT project to the IT
Portfolio Roadmap in Part 2 of the
ITSP, including a
good explanation of the functional
area supported, and where this
project fits in the
timeline.
7 Points
This section has
an explanation of the relationship
of the proposed IT project to the
IT Portfolio Roadmap in Part
2 of the ITSP,
including: where the
proposed project fits into the IT
Portfolio
roadmap; identification of
the functional area it supports;
and where it should be
included in the
6 Points
This section
includes only part of the
required information on
the relationship of
the proposed
IT project to the IT
Portfolio Roadmap in
Part 2 of the
ITSP (where it fits, the
functional area supported,
and the timeline);
and/or is not
0-5 Points
This section
minimally covers the
relationship of the
proposed IT project to the
IT Portfolio
Roadmap in Part 2 of the
ITSP, or does not cover it
at all.
10
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timeline in the
ITSP.
relevant to
Case Study.
IT Architecture
9-10 Points
A correct and convincing
explanation of
the IT Architecture
includes how the project fits
with, interfaces with and/or
replaces other
systems; explanation is
clearly relevant to the Case
Study and the
proposed project;
demonstrates thorough
understanding of course
concepts,
analysis and critical thinking.
8 Points
An accurate explanation of the
IT Architecture
includes how the project fits with,
interfaces with and/or replaces
other systems; explanation is
relevant to the
Case Study and the proposed
project; demonstrates
understanding of
course concepts, analysis and
critical thinking.
7 Points
Explanation of the IT
Architecture
includes: how the proposed IT
project fits in with other
systems in place or in
development at
the business in the Case Study;
whether it should interface with
other systems
either in place or in development;
and whether it replaces another
system or multiple systems
in use at the
business in the Case Study.
6 Points
IT Architecture
explanation
partially covers how
the project fits with,
interfaces with and/or
replaces other
systems; is not relevant to
the Case Study or the
proposed
project.
0-5 Points
IT Architecture
explanation is
minimal or not included.
10
Benefits 9-10 Points
Three or more
business benefits are
thoroughly and
convincingly explained; are
clearly aligned to the business
objectives
above; benefits are highly
applicable to and appropriate
for the proposed solution and the Case Study.
8 Points
Three or more
business benefits are fully
explained; are
aligned to the business
objectives above; benefits are clearly
applicable to and
appropriate for the proposed solution
and the Case Study.
7 Points
At least two
business benefits that the proposed
IT project
provides to the organization in
the Case Study are described at
a high level. The benefits
correspond to the
business strategies and
the strategic alignment
discussed in
section 2 above.
6 Points
Fewer than 2
business benefits are
shown;
benefits are not aligned to
business objectives
above; are not applicable to
or appropriate
for the proposed
solution and/or the
Case Study.
0-5 Points
Business
benefits are minimally
addressed or
not included.
10
Requirements 9-10 Points
This section
includes an effective and
8 Points
This section
includes a well- written
7 Points
This section
includes an introduction that
6 Points
This section
does not include an
0-5 Points
This section
minimally addresses
10
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well-written
introduction that is applicable to
the Case Study
and thoroughly and convincingly
explains the primary business
driver for the
proposed IT project. At least
10 unique requirements
are identified and are clearly
applicable to the
Case Study; requirements
cover items a-c in the
assignment;
demonstrates thorough
understanding of course
concepts, analysis and
critical thinking.
introduction that is
applicable to the Case Study and
fully explains the
primary business driver for the
proposed IT project. At least 9
unique
requirements are identified and are
clearly applicable to the Case Study;
requirements cover items a-c in
the assignment;
demonstrates understanding of
course concepts, analysis and
critical thinking.
explains the
primary driver behind the
system (major
business need). Then, at least 8
requirements are listed and briefly
explained, and
include: (a) business/user
requirements, (b) IT/system
requirements; and (c) at least
one system
performance requirement.
introduction
identifying the primary driver
for the
system; 8 or fewer
requirements are identified;
requirements
are not applicable to
the Case Study; and/or
items a-c in the
assignment
are not covered.
requirements,
or requirements
are not
included.
Cost Estimation
9-10 Points
This section
includes an effective and
well-written introductory
paragraph that
is applicable to the Case Study
and thoroughly and convincingly
justifies the
assessments in the table that
follows. Cost estimation table
is included, with appropriate
selection for size
and complexity.
8 Points
This section
includes an appropriate
introductory paragraph that is
applicable to the
Case Study and provides a good
explanation of the assessments in
the table that follows. Cost
estimation table is
included, with appropriate
selection for size and complexity.
7 Points
This section
includes an introductory
paragraph that explains the
assessments and
applies to the Case Study. Cost
estimation table is included;
selections are made for size and
complexity.
6 Points
This section
does not include an
introductory paragraph;
and/or cost
estimation table is
included, but selection for
size and complexity are
not
appropriate or adequately
justified.
0-5 Points
This section
provides little or no
information on the cost
estimation;
cost estimation
table is missing;
and/or information
presented
does not apply to the
Case Study.
10
Performance
Measures
9-10 Points
This section includes an
8 Points
This section includes an
7 Points
This section includes at least
6 Points
This section includes fewer
0-5 Points
This section provides little
10
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effective and
well-written introductory
paragraph that
is applicable to the Case Study,
the proposed solution and the
table that
follows. The completed table
contains all required
information, accurately
reflecting the
Case Study and the proposed
solution; demonstrates
thorough
understanding of course
concepts, analysis and
critical thinking.
appropriate
introductory paragraph that is
applicable to the
Case Study, the proposed solution
and the table that follows. The
completed table
contains all required
information, accurately
reflecting the Case Study and the
proposed solution;
demonstrates understanding of
course concepts, analysis and
critical thinking.
one or two
sentences that introduce the
table.
Performance Measures Table is
included showing three benefits
and three
measures that are appropriate
to the proposed solution and the
Case Study.
than three
benefits and associated
performance
measures; measures do
not align to benefits;
benefits and
measures are not
appropriate to the Case
Study and the proposed
solution;
and/or introduction is
missing.
or no
information on
Performance
Measures; table is
missing; and/or
information
presented does not
apply to the Case Study.
System Development
9-10 Points
The five stages of the SDLC are
thoroughly
covered; explanation is
tied directly to the project and
to the case
study; includes IT team
responsibilities and appropriate
involvement of
others at the business in the
Case Study; demonstrates
thorough understanding
of course
concepts and vocabulary.
8 Points
The five stages of the SDLC are fully
covered;
explanation includes discussion
of the project and the case study;
includes IT team
responsibilities and appropriate
involvement of others at the
business in the Case Study;
demonstrates
understanding of course concepts
and vocabulary.
7 Points
The five stages of the SDLC are
covered:
Plan, Design, Build, Test,
Launch. Two to three sentences
are used to
explain how each stage would be
handled by the team and identify
others who need to be involved at
the business in
the Case Study.
6 Points
The five stages of the
SDLC are not
all covered; explanations
are not appropriate to
the project
and the Case Study; and/or
do not include IT team
responsibilities and/or
appropriate
involvement of others at the
business in the Case
Study.
0-5 Points
The stages of the SDLC are
minimally
addressed or are not
included.
10
External
Research
5 Points
4 Points
3.5 Points
3 points
0-2 Points
5
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Two or more
sources other than the course
materials are
incorporated in two or more
sections of the paper and are
used effectively.
Sources used are relevant and
timely and contribute to the
analysis. References are
appropriately
incorporated and cited using
APA style.
At least one
source other than the course
materials is
incorporated and used effectively.
Source(s) are relevant and
contribute to the
analysis. References are
appropriately incorporated and
cited using APA style.
At least one
source other than the course
materials is used
and properly incorporated into
the text. Reference is cited
using APA style.
A source other
than the course
materials may
be used, but is not properly
incorporated or used and/or
is not effective
or appropriate and/or is not
relevant or timely; and/or
does not follow APA
style for
references and citations.
No external
research is incorporated
or reference
listed is not cited within
text.
Report
Format
9-10 Points
Report is very
well organized and is easy to
read. Very few
or no errors in sentence
structure, grammar, and
spelling;
presented in a professional
format.
8 Points
Report reflects
effective organization; has
few errors in
sentence structure,
grammar, and spelling;
presented in a
professional format.
7 Points
Report has some
organization; may have some
errors in
sentence structure,
grammar and spelling.
6 Points
Report is not
well organized,
and/or
contains several
grammar and/or spelling
errors.
0-5 Points
Report is
extremely poorly
written, has
many grammar
and/or spelling
errors, or
does not convey the
information.
10
TOTAL Possible
Points
100
