Posted: July 12th, 2023

IS and Business Strategy Alignment

COM7001

IS and Business Strategy Alignment
IS (Information Systems) and business strategy alignment refers to the process of aligning an organization’s information systems with its overall business strategy. It involves integrating technology, systems, and processes in a way that supports and enables the achievement of strategic objectives.

Key points to note about IS and business strategy alignment:

Strategic Alignment: IS and business strategy alignment ensures that the organization’s information systems are closely aligned with its strategic goals and objectives. It involves understanding the organization’s vision, mission, and business strategy and then designing and implementing information systems that support and enhance these strategic initiatives.

Competitive Advantage: Effective alignment of IS and business strategy can provide a competitive advantage to an organization. By leveraging technology and information systems strategically, businesses can gain efficiencies, improve decision-making processes, and create innovative products or services that differentiate them from competitors.

Planning and Decision Making: Aligning IS with business strategy enables better planning and decision-making at all levels of the organization. Information systems can provide accurate and timely data, analytics, and insights that inform strategic choices and help in assessing risks and opportunities.

Resource Optimization: Aligning IS and business strategy ensures efficient use of resources. By integrating information systems with business processes, organizations can streamline operations, eliminate redundancies, and optimize resource allocation, leading to cost savings and improved productivity.

Flexibility and Adaptability: Information systems aligned with business strategy enable organizations to respond quickly to changing market conditions, customer demands, and industry trends. Agile and adaptable systems can be easily modified or scaled to accommodate new business requirements, facilitating organizational agility and innovation.

Organizational Collaboration: Alignment between IS and business strategy promotes collaboration and communication across different departments and functions within an organization. Integrated systems foster data sharing, coordination, and collaboration, enabling cross-functional teams to work together effectively towards strategic goals.

Continuous Assessment: IS and business strategy alignment is an ongoing process that requires continuous Assessment and adjustment. As business strategies evolve or market dynamics change, organizations need to assess their information systems’ effectiveness and make necessary modifications to ensure continued alignment.

In summary, IS and business strategy alignment is crucial for organizations seeking to leverage technology effectively to achieve their strategic goals. By aligning information systems with business objectives, organizations can enhance their competitiveness, improve decision-making processes, optimize resource allocation, foster collaboration, and adapt to changing market conditions.
Part 1: Report

(The submission portal on ilearn will close at 14:00 UK time on the date of submission)

Assignment Brief

As part of the formal assessment for the programme you are required to submit an IS and Business Strategy Alignment report. Please refer to your Student Handbook for full details of the programme assessment scheme and general information on preparing and submitting assignments.

Learning Outcomes:

After completing the module, you should be able to:

1. Evaluate Business strategy concepts.

2. Critically assess trends and implications of ICT internal or external developments for typical organisations.

3. Analyse the impact of new emerging technologies (including distributed systems, virtualisation, mobility, data sets).

4. Identify and analyse long term needs of business, its customers and other stakeholders.

5. Determine requirements for processes related to ICT services.

6. Contribute to the development of ICT strategy and policy, including ICT security, quality and feasibility analysis.

7. Graduate Attribute – Effective Communication

Communicate effectively both, verbally and in writing, using a range of media widely used in relevant professional context. Be IT, digitally and information literate.

Guidance

Your assignment should include: a title page containing your student number, the module name, the submission deadline and the exact word count of your submitted document; the appendices if relevant; and a reference list in AU Harvard system(s). You should address all the elements of the assignment task listed below. Please note that tutors will use the assessment criteria set out below in assessing your work.

Maximum word count: 3,500 words

Please refer to the full word count policy which can be found in the Student Policies section here: Arden University | Regulatory Framework

Please note the following:

Make sure you answer the questions aligning with the Learning outcomes above.

Students are required to indicate the exact word count on the title page of the assessment.

The word count includes everything in the main body of the assessment (including in text citations). The word count excludes numerical data in tables, figures, diagrams, footnotes, reference list and appendices. ALL other printed words ARE included in the word count.

Please note that exceeding the word count by over 10% will result in a 10-percentage point deduction.

Assessment Task – Report

“ Information based and innovation-oriented business strategies have the potential to redefine the business scope of organisations almost irrespective of the industry where they operate.

Your organization is increasingly aware of the importance of aligning IS to develop a consistent digital / online / data / mobile business strategy able to internalize new business opportunities while continuing to satisfy your customers’ needs.

Based on a case study of your organisation, you are expected to submit a detailed analysis report of the existing IS and its feasibility in view of meeting all relevant strategic business developments in the long-term.

For the purposes of questions 1 – 4 you are the management strategist of the organisation and in charge of development of a new digital / online / data / mobile business strategy.”

Question 1

Evaluate the business strategies available for the IS organisational development you aim to achieve based on the wished degree of business transformation and the range of potential benefits.

(500 words)
(Learning Outcome:1)

Critically assess whether your organisation should pursue a business strategy aimed at digital / online / data / mobile based solutions based on the feasibility of the organisation’s internal ICT and the external developments expected in the industry.

(600 words)
(Learning Outcome:2)

Question 3

Analyse the impact of new emerging technologies (including distributed systems, virtualisation, mobility, data sets, cloud, applications, platforms, etc.) to your organisation’s business strategy as illustrated in Question 2.

Question 4

(500 words)
(Learning Outcome:3)

Identify and analyse the long-term strategic needs of your business, its customers and other stakeholders.

(400 words)
(Learning Outcome:4)

“For the purposes of questions 5 – 7 imagine now that you are the information strategist in charge of advising management on the development of a new digital / online / data / mobile business strategy and / or ICT enabled business model.”

Question 5

Determine the long and short-term requirement(s) of the new information system.

(400 words)
(Learning Outcome:5)

How would you contribute to the development of the ICT strategy and policy needed to carry out the business strategy? Please include all relevant ICT security, quality and feasibility analysis considerations.

(600 words)
(Learning Outcome:6)

Question 7

Communicate effectively to the CEO the main findings and justification of the identified course of action, including considerations on IS acceptance and its ethical use. You should combine the key issues of the business, information and management strategy development for your organisation.

(500 words)
(Learning Outcome:7)

Referencing Guidance

You MUST underpin your analysis and Assessment of the key issues with appropriate and wide ranging academic research and ensure this is referenced using the AU Harvard system(s).

Follow this link to find the referencing guides for your subject: “ Arden Library “

Submission Guidance

Assignments submitted late will not be accepted and will be marked as a 0% fail.

Detailed marking criteria (YOU MUST FOLOW THIS)

Mark Bands
LO1. Evaluate Business strategy concepts.
LO2. Critically assess trends and implications of
ICT internal or external developments for typical organisations.

LO3. Analyse the impact of new emerging technologies (including distributed systems,
virtualisation, mobility, data sets). LO4. Identify and analyse long term needs of business, its customers and other stakeholders.
LO5. Determine requirements for processes related to
ICT services.
LO6. Contribute to the development of ICT strategy and policy, including ICT security,
quality and feasibility analysis.
LO7. Graduate Attribute – Effective Communication
20 marks 20 marks 30 marks 30 marks

80%+

An exemplary Assessment of business strategy and critical assessment of ICT trends and implications in the given context (both internal and external to the organisation). You demonstrate an excellent level of critical analysis of relevant literature that informs your answer and leads to original thinking
as opposed to reproducing the literature.

An exemplary analysis and explanation of the impact of new emerging technologies. There is a level of criticality and original thought that extends beyond that discussed in sessions in the selection and application of emerging technologies. The discussion is underpinned by an outstanding use of relevant literature and the writer presents a compelling argument which is articulated
exceptionally clearly.

An exemplary identification and analysis of the long term needs of business, customers and stakeholders, which demonstrates a level of criticality and original thought extending beyond the discussions presented in sessions. The use of literature and its application demonstrates mastery and an outstanding ability to determine processes’ requirements for ICT services informed by considerations that are at the level of
professionalism shown by practitioners in the field.
An exemplary contribution and communication of ICT strategy and policy which demonstrates a level of criticality and original thought extending beyond the discussions presented in sessions. Communication style demonstrates a deep understanding and application of industry terminology and of ICT security, quality and feasibility considerations that are at the level of professionalism shown by practitioners in the field. The writing style of the report and the narrated presentation
are professional, clear and free from grammatical errors.

Assessment Criteria (Learning objectives covered – all)
Level 7 is characterised by an expectation of students’ expertise in their specialism. Students are semi-autonomous, demonstrating independence in the negotiation of assessment tasks (including the major project) and the ability to evaluate, challenge, modify and develop theory and practice.
Students are expected to demonstrate an ability to isolate and focus on the significant features of problems and to offer synthetic and coherent solutions,
with some students producing original or innovative work in their specialism that is potentially worthy of publication by Arden University. A clear appreciation of ethical considerations (as appropriate) is also a prerequisite.
Grade Mark Bands Generic Assessment Criteria.

Distinction

80%+. Outstanding analysis of key issues and concepts/. Outstanding development of conceptual structures and argument, making consistent use of scholarly conventions. Outstanding research skills, independence of thought, an extremely high level of intellectual rigour and consistency, exceptional expressive / professional skills, and outstanding creativity and originality. Outstanding academic/intellectual skills. Work pushes the boundaries of the discipline and demonstrates an awareness of relevant ethical considerations. Work may be considered for publication by Arden University.

70-79% Excellent analysis of key issues and concepts/. Excellent development of conceptual structures and argument, making consistent use of scholarly conventions. Excellent research skills, independence of thought, an extremely high level of intellectual rigour and consistency, exceptional expressive / professional skills, and substantial creativity and originality.
Excellent academic/intellectual skills. Work pushes the boundaries of the discipline and demonstrates an awareness of relevant ethical considerations. Work may be considered for publication by Arden university.

Merit
60-69% Very good level of competence demonstrated. High level of theory application. Very good analysis of key issues and concepts. Development of conceptual structures and argument making consistent use of scholarly conventions. Some evidence of original thought and a general awareness of relevant ethical considerations

Pass

55-59% A good performance. A good knowledge of key issues and concepts. Fairly descriptive, with some analysis of existing scholarly material, and some argument development. Limited evidence of original thought. Some awareness of relevant ethical considerations. Good professional skills (where appropriate).

Pass
50-54% A satisfactory performance. Basic knowledge of key issues and concepts. Generally descriptive, with restricted analysis
of existing scholarly material and little argument development. Use of scholarly conventions inconsistent. The work lacks original thought. Limited awareness of relevant ethical considerations.
Satisfactory professional skills (where appropriate).

Marginal fail
40-49% Limited research skills impede use of learning resources and problem solving.
Significant problems with structure/accuracy in expression. Very weak academic / intellectual / professional skills. Limited use of scholarly conventions.
Errors in expression and the work may lack structure overall.

Clear fail

39% and below A poor performance in which there are substantial gaps in knowledge and understanding, underpinning theory and ethical considerations.
Little evidence of research skills, use of learning resources and problem solving. Major problems with structure/ accuracy in expression.
Professional skills not present.
Very weak academic / intellectual / professional skills.

No evidence of use of scholarly conventions.

COM7001

IS and Business Strategy Alignment

Part 2: Individual Presentation

Date for Submission: Please refer to the timetable on ilearn

(The submission portal on ilearn will close at 14:00 UK time on the date of submission)

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Arden University © reserves all rights of copyright and all other intellectual property rights in the learning materials and this publication. No part of any of the learning materials or

Assignment Brief

As part of the formal assessment for the programme you are required to submit an IS and Business Strategy Alignment individual presentation. Please refer to your Student Handbook for full details of the programme assessment scheme and general information on preparing and submitting assignments.

Learning Outcomes:

After completing the module, you should be able to:

1. Evaluate Business strategy concepts.

2. Critically assess trends and implications of ICT internal or external developments for typical organisations.

3. Analyse the impact of new emerging technologies (including distributed systems, virtualisation, mobility, data sets).

4. Identify and analyse long term needs of business, its customers and other stakeholders.

5. Determine requirements for processes related to ICT services.

6. Contribute to the development of ICT strategy and policy, including ICT security, quality and feasibility analysis.

7. Graduate Attribute – Effective Communication

Communicate effectively both, verbally and in writing, using a range of media widely used in relevant professional context. Be IT, digitally and information literate.

Guidance

Your assignment should include: a title page containing your student number, the module name, the submission deadline and the exact word count of your submitted document; the appendices if relevant; and a reference list in AU Harvard system(s). You should address all the elements of the assignment task listed below. Please note that tutors will use the assessment criteria set out below in assessing your work.
.

Maximum word count: 1,500 words

Please note the following:

Students are required to indicate the exact word count on the title page of the assessment.

The word count includes everything in the main body of the assessment (including in text citations). The word count excludes numerical data in tables, figures, diagrams, footnotes, reference list and appendices. ALL other printed words ARE included in the word count.

Please note that exceeding the word count by over 10% will result in a 10-percentage point deduction

Assessment Task – Individual Presentation

You are to do a beautiful power point presentation(construct nice graphs, tables, charts and make sure you reference each of them.

Based on your detailed analysis report, you are expected to submit a narrated presentation discussing both the development of the business strategy and the justification of the IS expansion strategy and policy as relevant to your organisation.

Question 1

Present your Assessment of your chosen business strategy considering the degree of business transformation and the range of potential benefits achievable in your organisation.

(450 words)
(Learning Outcome:1)

Question 2

Present (using appropriate visual aids and figures) the long-term strategic needs of your business, its customers and other stakeholders.

(300 words)
(Learning Outcome:4)

Question 3

Determine and present the ICT requirements to bring forward the business strategy in the long- term for any existing or new business processes.

(300 words)
(20 marks)
(Learning Outcome:5)

Question 4

Communicate effectively to the CEO the main findings and justification of the identified course of action, including considerations on IS acceptance and its ethical use. You should now combine the key issues of the business, information and management strategy development for your organisation.

(450 words)
(Learning Outcome:7)

End of Questions

Referencing Guidance

You MUST underpin your analysis and Assessment of the key issues with appropriate and wide ranging academic research and ensure this is referenced using the AU Harvard system(s).

Follow this link to find the referencing guides for your subject: Arden Library

You must submit two files:

You must submit your PowerPoint presentation with your transcript into the portal called Presentation.
You must submit your PowerPoint presentation with your transcript (speaker notes)

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