Systems Analysis for Business (U30209) 2021 session

Systems Analysis for Business (U30209) 2021 session

Coursework assignment (100% weighting)

 

Word count: 2500 words, +/- 10%

Moodle (Turnitin) submission

File name format: <Student number>- SAB-coursework

Submission date: 5pm, Friday 28^th May

 

Associated learning outcomes

Investigate, analyze and review methodologies relating to Information Systems Analysis and Design.

Compare, contrast, evaluate, and select appropriate approaches for developing Information Systems.

Develop a strategic understanding of systems analysis in modern organizations.

 

Specification

Critically discuss what you have learned from this module which will be useful to help frame your approach to an MSc project topic, and why.

This coursework is about applying the systems thinking you have learned on this module to a particular subject area.  Think about a subject area that either (a) you are doing an MSc project in or (b) that you could do a project in.

Task 1: Give the title of your idea.  Explain the scope and purpose of your idea.

Task 2: From each of the four topics presented on Moodle:

●        Stakeholders and perspectives

●        Knowledge management

●        Systems thinking

●        Information systems

Identify one source (article) from each of the four topics within the Moodle resources provided which is particularly interesting to you, and applicable to your MSc project topic.

Cite example statements from these sources (author, year, page number). 

Explain what is interesting and/or useful about each statement, from the point of view of your project topic. You should also indicate why the statement is/would be interesting and relevant for your project topic. 

Note that you should comment on how the different topics we have covered in the module will help you develop a strategic understanding of your MSc project topic. This work may eventually be included as an appendix for your MSc project and should be shared with your project supervisor.

There will be the opportunity for formative feedback on your drafts, and examples of project topics and good work will be put onto Moodle.

Plagiarism and referencing

It is your responsibility to understand the concept of plagiarism and poor scholarship.  You are required to read and think for yourself, and to avoid a copy-paste approach.  Please accurately reference your work using the APA format.
See http://www.referencing.port.ac.uk/apa/index.html for details. 

It is recommended that you use a bibliographic software tool to support your work, such as EndNote, Zotero, Mendeley. 

 

Grammar and spelling

Correct UK English grammar and spelling are expected in critical essay writing. You will be marked down on Structure and Presentation if your grammar and spelling are deficient. You may be marked down in other sections if poor language usage makes your meaning or argument difficult to follow. 

Anonymity

All coursework must be anonymous. You must not put your name on your work. Work should only be identified by your student ID number in the document (see above instructions about file name format). 

Marking and feedback

Marks and feedback will be given to students within twenty working days of the submission date. 

 

 

Marking criteria (based on University grade criteria)

Mark range %	Criteria
80-89	As below plus: ●        Excellent workable to express an original reasoned argument lucidly by reviewing and critiquing a wide range of material.  Original, critical thinking based on outstanding insight, knowledge, and understanding of the material. ●        Wide-reaching research showing breadth and depth of sources.
70-79
60-69	As below plus: ●        Clear, balanced, coherent, critical, and rigorous analysis of the subject matter. Detailed understanding of knowledge and theory expressed with clarity. ●        Extensive use of relevant and current literature to view the topic in perspective, analyze content and develop new explanations and ideas.
50-59	As below plus: ●        Detailed review and grasp of pertinent issues and a critical contextual overview of the literature. Thorough knowledge of theory and methods and uses this to underpin arguments and conclusions. ●        Confidence in understanding and using literature.
40-49	●        Demonstrates grasp of key concepts and an ability to develop and support an argument in a predominantly descriptive way with valid conclusions drawn from the research. ●        Familiarity with key literature which is cited and presented according to convention. ●        Logical and clear structure, well organized with good use of language and supporting material.
30-39	FAIL – Some knowledge of relevant concepts and literature but significant gaps in understanding and / or knowledge. Little attempt at evaluation, conclusions vague, ambiguous, and not based on researched material. Limited or inappropriate research. Deficits in length, structure, presentation, and/or prose.
20-29

  

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Systems Analysis for Business

 Systems Analysis for Business (U30209) 2021 session

Coursework assignment (100% weighting)

 

 

Word count: 2500 words, +/- 10%

Moodle (Turnitin) submission

File name format: <Student number>- SAB-coursework

Submission date: 5pm, Friday 28^th May

 

Associated learning outcomes

Investigate, analyze and review methodologies relating to Information Systems Analysis and Design.

Compare, contrast, evaluate, and select appropriate approaches for developing Information Systems.

Develop a strategic understanding of systems analysis in modern organizations.

 

Specification

Critically discuss what you have learned from this module which will be useful to help frame your approach to an MSc project topic, and why.

This coursework is about applying the systems thinking you have learned on this module to a particular subject area.  Think about a subject area that either (a) you are doing an MSc project in or (b) that you could do a project in.

Task 1: Give the title of your idea.  Explain the scope and purpose of your idea.

Task 2: From each of the four topics presented on Moodle:

●        Stakeholders and perspectives

●        Knowledge management

●        Systems thinking

●        Information systems

Identify one source (article) from each of the four topics within the Moodle resources provided which is particularly interesting to you, and applicable to your MSc project topic.

Cite example statements from these sources (author, year, page number). 

Explain what is interesting and/or useful about each statement, from the point of view of your project topic. You should also indicate why the statement is/would be interesting and relevant for your project topic. 

Note that you should comment on how the different topics we have covered in the module will help you develop a strategic understanding of your MSc project topic. This work may eventually be included as an appendix for your MSc project and should be shared with your project supervisor.

There will be the opportunity for formative feedback on your drafts, and examples of project topics and good work will be put onto Moodle.

Plagiarism and referencing

It is your responsibility to understand the concept of plagiarism and poor scholarship.  You are required to read and think for yourself, and to avoid a copy-paste approach.  Please accurately reference your work using the APA format.
See http://www.referencing.port.ac.uk/apa/index.html for details. 

It is recommended that you use a bibliographic software tool to support your work, such as EndNote, Zotero, Mendeley. 

 

Grammar and spelling

Correct UK English grammar and spelling are expected in critical essay writing. You will be marked down on Structure and Presentation if your grammar and spelling are deficient. You may be marked down in other sections if poor language usage makes your meaning or argument difficult to follow. 

Anonymity

All coursework must be anonymous. You must not put your name on your work. Work should only be identified by your student ID number in the document (see above instructions about file name format). 

Marking and feedback

Marks and feedback will be given to students within twenty working days of the submission date. 

 

 

Marking criteria (based on university grade criteria)

Mark range %	Criteria
80-89	As below plus: ●        Excellent workable to express an original reasoned argument in a lucid manner by reviewing and critiquing a wide range of materials.  Original, critical thinking based on outstanding insight, knowledge and understanding of the material. ●        Wide-reaching research showing breadth and depth of sources.
70-79
60-69	As below plus: ●        Clear, balanced, coherent, critical, and rigorous analysis of the subject matter. Detailed understanding of knowledge and theory expressed with clarity. ●        Extensive use of relevant and current literature to view the topic in perspective,  analyze content and develop new explanations and ideas.
50-59	As below plus: ●        Detailed review and grasp of pertinent issues and a critical contextual overview of the  literature. Thorough knowledge of theory and methods and uses this to underpin  arguments and conclusions. ●        Confidence in understanding and using literature.
40-49	●        Demonstrates grasp of key concepts and an ability to develop and support an the argument in a predominantly descriptive way with valid conclusions drawn from the research. ●        Familiarity with key literature which is cited and presented according to convention. ●        Logical and clear structure, well organized with good use of language and supporting material.
30-39	FAIL – Some knowledge of relevant concepts and literature but significant gaps in understanding and/or knowledge. Little attempt at evaluation, conclusions vague, ambiguous, and not based on researched material. Limited or inappropriate research. Deficits in length, structure, presentation, and/or prose.
20-29

 

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Engineering and Mathematics Project

 

FACULTY:                     Arts, Computing, Engineering and Sciences

DEPARTMENT:            Engineering and Mathematics MODULE TITLE:                             Project and Quality Management MODULE LEADER:                        Dong Zhang

TIME ALLOWED:          2 hours (plus 10 minutes reading time)

SOLUTIONS

Section A

 

1.        Consider a project with the information in Table 1.

 

Table 1

The project is budgeted with a fixed daily labour cost of £500 per day. There is no materials cost. For each activity there is an overhead of £500.

 

a).                      Construct the project network diagram using Activity-on- Node methodology, showing ESTs, LSTs, and total floats for each of the activity under normal time. Identify the project duration and the critical path under normal time.

 

3 marks for correct logic (positons of the nodes), 1 mark for including 'Start' and Finish', 2 marks for presentation (finish-to-start, arrow etc.)

 

The project duration is 10 days (2 marks), the critical path is B-C (1 mark)

 

a).                      Develop a full crashing schedule table for the project. Clearly show the action, the step cost, and the critical path after each crash.

(12 marks)

1 marks for C-1, 3 marks for B-1, 4 marks each for C-2, E-1 and C-3, F-1.

 

a).                      Identify the overall project cost when the project is fully crashed.

(4 marks)

 

S:           The labour cost = £500 X 6 = £3000 (1 mark) The overheads = £500 x 6 = £3000 (1 mark)

The crash cost = £1000+£1500+£1600+£1800 = £5900 (1 mark)

Sp the overall project cost = £3000+£3000+£5900 = £11900 (1 mark)

 

b).                     A performance review 2 days after the project started finds that activity A has been completed on time; activity B has also been completed, ahead of schedule; activities C, D and E are about to start. Calculate the probability that activity C being completed within the normal project duration.

 

*See next page for the z-table.

(5 marks)

 

S:           The normal project duration (as determined in part a).) is 10 days. 2 days have passed so there are 8 days available to complete activity C within the normal project duration.(1 mark)

 

σ_cp = √1/9 = 1/3 (1 mark)

z = (specified time - expected time)/ σ_cp = (8-7)/(1/3) = 3 (2 marks) find P(8) from the table where z = 3: P_(Z=3) = 0.9987 (1 mark))

 

c).                      Based on the progress found in the performance review, calculate the Schedule Performance Index using the percentage rule.

(6 marks)

 

S:           Two activities have been completed so the overheads = £500 x 2 = £1000 (1 mark)

 

According to the budget, PV = £500 x 2 = £1000 + £1000 = £2000 (2 marks)

 

The Earned value is the value of work completed. The work of 3 days worth have been completed so EV = £500 x 3 = £1500 + £1000 = £2500 (2 marks)

 

SPI = EV/PV = £2500/£2000 = 1.25 (1 mark)

 

d).                     It is estimated that all activities in the project will benefit from a learning rate of 0.894427. Using the normal time in Table 1 as the starting point, calculate at which repetition the normal time of the project will be reduced by 2 days.

(5 marks)

 

S:           n = log(0.894427)/log(2) = -0.160964 (1 mark)

 

The target is 10 - 2 = 8 days (1 mark)

 

Taking the numbers to the function Y_x = K∙Xⁿ gives 8 = 10X^-0.160964. Solving this gives X = 4 (2 marks)

 

Total

(4 marks)

 

 

 

 

Areas under the standardised normal curve for z ≥ 0

 

Note on grading for Section B:

The student is expected to consider the questions as titles for a mini discussion- based essay. In general, this is the standard expected for each grade:

 

80% +

This answer demonstrates a broad knowledge and understanding of the subject area. It is clearly set out and uses a logical approach to answering the question. The standard of work is excellent. It should exceed the requirements of the question. It demonstrates detailed understanding of course material and its application to practical examples. It should also provide information which indicates that the student has researched the subject and obtained a level of knowledge more detailed than would be achieved using lecture notes. This is an excellent answer.

 

70% - 79%

This shows a clear understanding of the subject and an understanding of the practical issues when implementing the theory. The standard of work is very good. This answer is clearly set out and uses a logical approach to answering the question. It is likely that the work should show limited evidence of knowledge which surpasses that taught in lectures. The arguments should be developed logically and supported with examples. However this is a less detailed answer than a 70% + answer. It could provide some evidence of gaps in knowledge and areas of misunderstanding. This is a very good answer.

 

60% - 69%

This answer is a relatively brief analysis of the subject area. There are likely to be some areas of misunderstanding and to be several gaps in the information provided. The discussion is less logical and links between the different areas of the subject are not clear. It demonstrates a basic level of understanding and the ability to apply some of the information to practical situations. However it should demonstrate enough understanding to indicate that the student, with some support, could practically apply the theory in a working environment. The student must demonstrate a reasonable but not extensive knowledge of the subject area and implementation issues. There is little, if any, evidence of knowledge gained from study of material which was not provided in lecture notes. This is an average - good answer.

 

50% - 59%

This is a very limited discussion which displays some understanding of the subject. It is unlikely to provide clear and structured discussion and shows a very basic understanding of the subject area. However it does show a level of understanding of the subject, which would suggest, that with significant support, the student could apply the theory. It demonstrates a basic knowledge of the subject. There is unlikely to be evidence of knowledge from study of material which was not provided in lecture notes. The answer is reasonably well presented. However there are several gaps in knowledge and areas of misunderstanding. This satisfies the learning outcome but is generally below average.

 

40% - 49%

This answer fails to demonstrate sufficient knowledge of the subject area. It achieves few if any of the objectives of the discussion. There is little, if any, evidence of the ability to apply theory to a practical scenario. The majority of the answer

 

demonstrates significant areas of misunderstanding and gaps in knowledge. There is some understanding. The information provided is not supported by detailed logical argument. This is a low quality answer and does not satisfy the passing criteria.

 

Less than 40%

This answer completely fails to achieve the objectives of the question and demonstrates minimal understanding of the subject area. It is an extremely low quality answer.

 

Solutions to individual questions now follow. Section B

2.           Critically evaluate the importance for organisations to develop coherence in managing and delivering projects.

 

S:     Coherence occurs where there is consistency between all the layers of the strategy process, shown in the figure below. It is worth pursuing as it means that all projects are working to the same strategy, and it is possible for individuals to then see how what they do contributes in some way to achieving that strategy.

 

Better answers will explore the impact of lack of coherence of project strategies, which may result in weak links between projects, lack of coordination, inevitable resource conflicts. The focus for each project therfore is to 'minimise the negative potential' of projects rather than seeking performance improvement.

 

(30 marks)

 

3.           Discuss whether it is possible or not to eliminate risks through careful project planning.

 

S:     It is not possible to eliminate risk from a project regardless of planning. The role of risk management is to identify and analyse potential risks associated with a project. Once risks have been identified, preventative action or contingency plans

 

may be established to reduce the impact of the risk on the success of the project. While this presents a way to help control the effects of risk, it does not eliminate risk from the project management equation.

 

Better answers will argue that though risk can not be eliminated, it is important to approach risk in a systematic way. The prioritisation of risks planning makes the process manageable, and when done properly, will prevent a situation of overkill. The careful planning does not ensure that all risks will be identified or that the right contingencies will be created. All the same, the benefits of taking part in risk management far outweigh the danger of not preparing for potential problems.

(30 marks)

 

4.           Discuss why it is difficult to implement a perfect project control system.

 

S:     Control is the measurement of progress towards desired outcomes, assimilation of the information, and application of corrective action where needed to keep the project on‐track.The difficulty in implementing a perfect control system requires firt the understanding of the meaning of 'perfect'. Idealy a perfect control system should be able to detect any variations to important characteristoics of a project in a timely mananer and allow the project manager the opportunity to instigate correction actions to bring the project back on track. It should not only provide feedback but also feedforward. All these should then come at a cost not greater than the project benefit.

 

Better answers will explore the issues in social connotation in the context of control being a paradox and seemed as a negative idea. There is also an issue of how control could be used to capture and respond to positive deviation to the plan.

 

(30 marks)

 

5.           Evaluate the role of project review in the process of continuous improvement for organisations.

 

S:     The simple answer is that reviews look for opportunities for process improvement, at particular aspects of how projects are managed. This contributes to the learning by doing process and enables organisations to think about project maturity and longer-tern reflection.

 

Better answers will discuss the importance of projects for organisations in the strategic context - as quoted in the text "project management can be regarded as an essential menas of turning strategic objectives into organisational ventures".

(30 marks)

 

 

END

 

S:           See table below for full schedule

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