IT Systems development paper and presentation

IT 500: Final Project Guidelines and Rubric

Overview and Outcomes The final project for this course is the creation of an IT systems development paper and presentation. This is a group project. You and your group will work on all of the aspects to implementing a new or updated information system into a business from a project management perspective. Your group can choose a real-life implementation of one of your companies or use a scenario provided of a company thinking of implementing a new system. Your group will have to consider all aspects of an IT systems development project for your company, including an overview, an implementation plan for the IT system, a timeline and resources, and a risk management plan for your organization. Your role is to oversee this new system implementation from a management perspective while keeping in mind your learned knowledge of IT in this course. This project is divided into three milestones, which will be submitted at various points throughout the course to scaffold learning and ensure quality final submissions. The milestones are due in Modules Three, Five, and Seven. The final project submission consists of a group paper due in Module Nine and a group presentation due in Module Ten. This project will demonstrate your knowledge of the steps needed to implement a new information system into a business. To successfully complete this project, you will be expected to apply what you have learned in this course and should include several of the following course outcomes and learning objectives:

 Understand the role of information systems in today’s business environment

 Gain an overview of information technology

 Appreciate contemporary approaches to building information systems

 Describe basic principles of information systems

 Work cooperatively in a group to integrate the concepts learned

Requirements Your final project must consist of the following elements (Address each element fully; do not answer the questions in list format):

I. Overview (2–3 pages) a) Provide an overview of your company and the systems development project. Describe the industry you are working with. b) Conduct a needs analysis and a systems audit:

i. Why do you need a new system? ii. How does the current system work? Do you currently use any software or hardware?

iii. What are the goals you are trying to achieve with the new system (e.g., increase efficiency, improve organization, reduce cost, reduce

error)?

c) Comment on the scope of the project. How do you think it will achieve the goals set forth?

II. IT Implementation Plan (3–4 pages) a) Systems Analysis (Note that depending on your project, not all of the below questions will apply)

i. What hardware and software are needed? ii. How many users will this affect?

iii. Is this a global solution? iv. What kinds of tools will be used for development? v. Can an existing platform (network, servers, computers, etc.) be reused?

vi. Is a database needed? If so, which one will you consider? Why? vii. Is this a new software application, or will it be replacing an existing one?

viii. Will you purchase an off-the-shelf product? Will it be beneficial to build a specific system?

b) Systems Design and Development (Note that depending on your project, not all of the below questions will apply) i. If you are going to purchase an off-the-shelf product, describe how it will be implemented into your current system.

ii. If you are going to build a system, will it need programming? iii. How will your IT system connect to your current system? Will you need to obtain additional hardware? iv. What reporting is needed? v. Is additional training needed internally?

vi. Is there ample staff, or will consultants be needed?

c) Testing i. Will a standard testing mechanism be used, such as use cases?

ii. At what point will the users be involved in the testing? iii. Who will sign off on the testing? iv. Will there be a development and production environment?

d) Training i. Who needs to be trained?

ii. When will the training take place? Where? iii. Will special applications be needed for training (customized training videos, web videoconferencing, consultant training)?

e) Implementation i. What is the implementation schedule?

ii. Will you use a sample test or a prototype? iii. What strategy will be used for implementation (a full roll-out, a phased approach)? iv. Who needs to sign off before the system goes live?

f) Maintenance i. Who is responsible for ongoing maintenance?

III. Project Plan (2–3 pages) a) Timeline for the Implementation Plan

i. What is the timeline for the project? ii. What are your major milestones and deliverables?

iii. Use a visual timeline or a Gantt chart or PERT chart (Figure 14.5) b) Resources

i. What resources will you need (both products and services)? ii. Will you use an internal team?

iii. Will you need a systems analyst, systems designer, programming, or an entire consulting team? iv. Will you outsource implementation and training (hire a consultant)?

IV. Organizational Change (2–3 pages) a) Risk Management

i. How will this affect your company (loss of staff, convincing stakeholders of the impact)? ii. What are some of the areas of risk for your project?

iii. What is your contingency plan?

Milestones Milestone One: Topic In Module Three, groups will submit their topic for the project. One group member should submit your group’s topic via the discussion board. No two groups should have the same topic. This is not a graded forum, and students do not need to reply to posts. Milestone Two: Project Update In Module Five, your team is responsible for a final project update. This should consist of a one-page summary of your progress and include the summary of your company, your needs analysis, and your systems analysis. One representative from your team should submit the final project update. This milestone is graded for submission, and feedback must be incorporated into your final paper. Milestone Three: First Draft In Module Seven, the first draft of your final project is due. One representative group member should submit the draft. This milestone is graded for submission, and feedback must be incorporated into your final paper.

Final Submission: Final Paper In Module Nine, your final paper is due. The paper should be 10–12 pages, not including cover page and resources. One group representative should submit the group’s final draft of the paper. This submission is graded with the Final Paper Rubric. Final Submission: Final Presentation In Module Ten, your final presentation is due. This presentation should consist of 8–10 slides and summarize your paper. For tips on creating your presentation, see Principles of an Effective Presentation. One representative group member should submit the presentation for grading. This submission is graded with the Final Presentation Rubric. The final presentation should also be submitted to the Module Ten discussion forum.

Deliverables

Milestone Deliverables Module Due Grading

1 Topic Three Not graded; for instructor approval only

2 Update One-page summary, including company overview, needs analysis, and systems analysis

Five Graded for submission; feedback incorporated as part of the Group Paper Rubric

3 First Draft of the Paper Must include at least Parts I, II, and III from the requirements above

Seven Graded for submission; feedback incorporated as part of the Group Paper Rubric

Final Submission: Group Paper 10–12-page report, not including cover page and references; must include all requirements above

Nine Graded separately using the Group Paper Rubric

Final Submission: Group Presentation 8–10-slide presentation, summarizing the main points

Ten Graded separately using the Group Presentation Rubric

Group Paper Rubric Guidelines for Submission: This paper must follow these formatting guidelines: double spacing, 12-point Times New Roman font, one-inch margins, APA citations. Paper should be 10–12 pages, not including cover page and resources. Instructor Feedback: This activity uses an integrated rubric in Blackboard. Students can view instructor feedback in the Grade Center. For more information, review these instructions.

Critical Elements Exemplary (100%) Proficient (90%) Needs Improvement (70%) Not Evident (0%) Value

Milestone Submission and Incorporation of

Feedback

Meets “Needs Improvement” criteria and addresses all instructor feedback through incorporation or clarifying questions/dialogue with instructor

Meets “Needs Improvement” criteria and incorporates some of the instructor’s feedback throughout the progression of the project

Student completes and submits all milestones by the due date

Student submits incomplete milestones or does not submit by the due date

10

Comprehensive Final Product

Addresses all parts of the four requirements of the final product (that are relevant for the project topic) directly and includes additional elements that logically enrich and extend

Addresses all parts of the four requirements of the final product (that are relevant for the project topic) directly

Addresses all parts of the four requirements of the final product (that are relevant for the project topic) either directly or indirectly

Does not address all of the requirements of the project (that are relevant for the project topic)

30

Collaboration (partly based on Group Evaluation Form

data)

Meets “Proficient” criteria, and the group effectively communicates to establish order, processes, and/or leadership

Group members specialize the tasks/elements and provide feedback on each other’s work to maintain collaboration and ensure equitable contributions

Group members make equitable contributions to the project

Group members do not make equitable contributions to the project

25

Use of IT Concepts

Applies at least four IT-specific concepts in authentic ways

Illustrates at least three IT- specific concepts with accurate details

Describes at least two IT- specific concepts with accurate details

Avoids IT-specific concepts and only focuses on project management

15

Integrative Learning

Makes simple connections among ideas and experiences to effectively synthesize and transfer learning to new, complex situations

Makes simple connections among ideas and experiences to synthesize and transfer learning to new, complex situations

Makes simple connections among ideas and experiences to synthesize learning

Is not able to make simple connections among ideas and experiences to synthesize learning

10

Mechanics

No errors related to organization, grammar, citations, and/or style

Errors of organization, grammar, citations, and/or style are marginal and rarely interrupt the flow

Errors of organization, grammar, citations, and/or style are limited enough that the project is still able to be understood

Errors of organization, grammar, citations, and/or style make elements to understand

10

Earned Total 100%

Group Presentation Rubric Guidelines for Submission: This group presentation requires 8–10 slides and should summarize the paper. Instructor Feedback: This activity uses an integrated rubric in Blackboard. Students can view instructor feedback in the Grade Center. For more information, review these instructions.

Critical Elements Exemplary (100%) Proficient (90%) Needs Improvement (70%) Not Evident (0%) Value Content:

Inquiry and Analysis

Includes almost all of the main elements and requirements; provides in-depth analysis that demonstrates complete understanding of multiple concepts

Includes most of the main elements and requirements; provides in-depth analysis that demonstrates complete understanding of some concepts

Includes some of the main elements and requirements; provides in-depth analysis that demonstrates complete understanding of minimal concepts

Does not include any of the main elements and requirements; does not provide in-depth analysis

35

Organization

Slides are organized in a logical way that complements the central theme; transitions are well-paced to create a natural and engaging flow

Slides are organized in a logical way and transitions are paced so that the material is easily accessible

Slides are organized mostly in a logical way and transitions are paced so that the material can be understood with focus and effort

Slides are organized in a way that is illogical OR transitions are paced so that the material cannot be understood

20

Critical Thinking Draws insightful conclusions that are thoroughly defended with evidence and examples

Draws informed conclusions that are justified with evidence

Draws logical conclusions, but does not defend with evidence

Does not draw logical conclusions

20

Visual Appeal

There is a consistent visual theme that helps enhance understanding of the ideas; includes multiple types of media

Original images are created using proper size and resolution that enhance the content; includes more than one type of media

Visually depict topic and assist audience; images are proper size and resolution

Graphics are unrelated to content and cross over each other. Distracting, busy, and detract from presentation

15

Teamwork

Demonstrates effective interactions with team members and makes numerous quality contributions to team discussions and tasks

Demonstrates moderately effective interactions with team members and makes some quality contributions to team discussions and tasks

Demonstrates minimal interactions with team members and makes minimal quality contributions to team discussions and tasks

Does not demonstrate effective interactions with team members and does not make quality contributions to team discussions and tasks

10

Earned Total 100%

Principles of an Effective Presentation:

 You may utilize a product such as Microsoft’s PowerPoint, Adobe Captivate, Prezi, or Google Slides to create your presentations.

 There are various template designs that you can find on the web for your presentation. However, first consider your presentation from the perspective of your audience prior to selecting a specific style. Distracting backgrounds, large blocks of text, all uppercase fonts, elaborate font styles, grammatical errors, and misspellings are distracting. Be consistent with the style of text, bullets, and sub-points in order to support a powerful presentation that allows your content to be the focus.

 Each slide should include your key point(s). Do not place large blocks of text on the visual. Your presentation is not a means of presenting a short paper. In an actual presentation, you would not “read” from your slides but rather use them as prompts.

 Any notes or narration you would use in delivering this presentation to a group should be listed in the “notes” section of the slide.

 References should be listed at the bottom of the slide in slightly smaller text.

 Use clip art, AutoShapes, pictures, charts, tables, and diagrams to enhance but not overwhelm your content.

 Be mindful of the intended audience and seek to assess the presentation’s effectiveness by gauging audience comprehension (when possible). Below are some links that offer helpful tips and examples for developing your presentations: Making PowerPoint Slides Beyond Bullet Points: The Better Way to Use PowerPoint Really Bad PowerPoint and How to Avoid It