To provide a comprehensive knowledge of the strategic importance of IT within organisations. To provide a systematic understanding of the role of the Chief Information Officer (CIO) within organisations. To equip students with the ability to analyse critically the alignment of IT with business strategy. To enable students to analyse critically the maturity of IT systems within business organisations. To provide an in-depth understanding of IT governance in support of IT business alignment. To provide a wide-ranging understanding of information systems planning .

(M1) A critical understanding of the role of IT in the support of business strategy.

(M2) The ability to evaluate critically the impact of IT on an organisation's performance.

(M3) The ability to analyse critically the alignment of IT and business strategy.

(M4) The ability to evaluate critically an organisation’s IT maturity level.

(M5) A comprehensive understanding of the methodologies used to develop a strategic information systems plan.

(M6) A systematic understanding of the role of IT governance for IT-business alignment.

(M7) An in depth understanding of the relationship between organisational culture and IT.

(M8) An ability to use a variety of frameworks to understanding the value of IT to organisations.

(S1) Communication skills in electronic as well as written form.

(S2) Self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems.

(S3) An ability to act autonomously and professionally when planning and implementing solutions to computer science problems.

(S4) Experience of working in development teams, respecting others, co-operating, negotiating/persuading, awareness of interdependence with others.

Week 1 Critical introduction and overview of Major IT Issues that need to be considered to support organisational goals.

Week 2 The role of IT in organisations and the role of the Chief Information Officer (CIO) and IT managers in the context of IT strategies in organisations.

Week 3 IT maturity models used to assess or benchmark an organisation’s IT capability so as to improve the IT services that businesses provide.

Week 4 IT alignment models used to understand the level of integration across business strategy, IT strategy, business infrastructure and IT infrastructure.

Week 5 IT Governance, defining and implementing an infrastructure strategy that will support enterprise goals.

Week 6 Strategy Mapping, using IT planning models to link corporate objectives with the IT strategies required to realise these objectives.

Week 7 Using IT to support business. The strategic use of IT resources.

Week 8 Measuring the value of the connection between IT and business, and the performance of the efforts that deliver this value.

The mode of delivery is by online learning, facilitated by a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). This mode of study enables students to pursue modules via home study while continuing in employment. Module delivery involves the establishment of a virtual classroom in which a relatively small group of students (usually 10-25) work under the direction of a faculty member. Module delivery proceeds via a series of eight one-week online sessions, each of which comprises an online lecture, supported by other eLearning activities, posted electronically to a public folder in the virtual classroom. The mode of learning includes a range of required and optional eLearning activities, including but not limited to: lecture casts, self-assessment opportunities, and required and suggested further reading and try-for-yourself activities. Communication within the virtual classroom is asynchronous, preserving the requirement that students are able to pursue the module in their own time, within the wee kly time-frame of each online session. An important element of the module provision is active learning through collaborative, cohort-based, learning using discussion fora where the students engage in assessed discussions facilitated by the faculty member responsible for the module. This in turn encourages both confidence and global citizenship (given the international nature of the online student body).