IT Decision Paper
wphi9
it_decision_paper_assignment.pdf
6/7/2015 1
Rusty Rims IT Decision Paper Assignment
Before you begin this assignment, be sure you have read the “Rusty Rims Wheels Case Study,” any feedback on your proposed IT project from your ITSP Part 2 assignment, and the previously assigned
chapters in the textbook.
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 Rusty Rims Distribution Company (RR). 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 RR. Carol, the CIO at RR, 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 take a 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 textbook readings assigned thus far; use the Index to locate specific relevant portions of the text, and to locate additional ideas that may be included in chapters not yet assigned. 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 RR 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 RR. 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 RR. 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 RR. 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 Chapter 8, section on Value
Attainment.
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 Chapter 15 and use the textbook index for additional information about requirements.
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
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 paragraph to introduce and explain the assessments in your table. Refer to Chapter 17, Cost
Estimation, especially the Assessment Phase, described under Figure 17.2.
Assessment of Project Size and Complexity
Size/Complexity Small Medium Large
Very Complex
Moderately Complex
Straightforward
8. Performance Measures – This section explains how RR will know whether the project is achieving
the benefits identified above in section 5. Review the benefits, and take a 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 Chapter 11, section on Measure Performance and Make it Visible, just under figure 11.4; also
Chapter 21, section 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.
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9. System Development - Describe how you will use the System Development Life Cycle (SDLC) process to approach this project. Include the 5 stages covered in the textbook: Plan, Design,
Build, Test, Launch. In two to three sentences each, explain how each stage would be handled by Carol’s IT team and who else in RR should be involved in each stage. Refer to Chapter 13.
The "right" and "wrong" answers have to do with whether or not you correctly incorporated the course concepts from the textbook 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 in
light of 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
the stage for the remainder of the
paper; demonstrates
understanding
of course concepts,
analysis and critical thinking.
4 Points
Description of the
project is clear and concise,
covers functions
and users, and sets the stage for
the remainder of the paper.
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
stage for the remainder of
the paper.
0-2 Points
Little or no
description of the proposed
IT project is
included.
5
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
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
6/7/2015 4
clearly tied to the proposed IT
project.
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 timeline in the
ITSP.
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 relevant to
Case Study.
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
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
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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
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.
8 Points
This section includes a well-
written
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.
7 Points
This section includes an
introduction that
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.
6 Points
This section does not
include an
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.
0-5 Points
This section minimally
addresses
requirements, or
requirements are not
included.
10
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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
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.
8 Points
This section
includes an
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.
7 Points
This section
includes at least
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.
6 Points
This section
includes fewer
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.
0-5 Points
This section
provides little
or no information
on Performance
Measures; table is
missing;
and/or information
presented does not
apply to the
Case Study.
10
System
Development
9-10 Points 8 Points
7 Points
6 Points
0-5 Points
10
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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.
The five stages of the SDLC are fully
covered; explanation is
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.
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.
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.
The stages of the SDLC are
minimally addressed or
are not
included.
External Research
5 Points
Two or more sources other
than the
textbook 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.
4 Points
At least one source other than
the textbook is
incorporated and used effectively.
Source(s) are relevant and
contribute to the
analysis. References are
appropriately incorporated and
cited using APA
style.
3.5 Points
At least one source other than
the textbook is
used and properly
incorporated into the text.
Reference is cited
using APA style.
3 points
A source other than the
textbook 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.
0-2 Points
No external research is
incorporated
or reference listed is not
cited within text.
5
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
8 Points
Report reflects
effective
organization; has few errors in
sentence structure,
grammar, and spelling;
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
0-5 Points
Report is
extremely
poorly written, has
many grammar
and/or spelling
10
6/7/2015 8
spelling; presented in a
professional format.
presented in a professional
format.
errors. errors, or does not
convey the information.
TOTAL
Possible Points
100
