BUSINESS SCENARIO

BUSINESS SCENARIO
Paper details:
Here is the scenario: I have recently purchased a fictitious medium sizes business. During the last few years this business has been declining therefore I need to apply the local bank for a loan of up to a max $100000 and the bank is asking for a business report to support my applications.
Addition: – Excel File (Project budget and plan)
– Access file (my business database)

1008ICT
Business Informatics

Semester 1 Assignment Study Guide 2015
50% of your final course mark
Report Length 2000 Words (approximately)
1 Excel File (Project Budget and Plan)
1 Access file (Your Business Database)

Draft Report bonus (in-class before Friday Week 9 only)
Final Report and computer files due date: Friday 6pm 22nd May Week 11
This is an Individual Assignment.
Collusion is Academic Misconduct. See QIBT Academic integrity policy.

QIBT Academic Integrity Policy
http://policy.qibt.qld.edu.au/
Throughout the duration of their studies at the College, students are expected to conduct themselves in an honest and ethical manner, and in accordance with accepted standards of academic conduct. Forms of behaviour contrary to these standards are understood to be academic misconduct. Where a student is found to have breached standards of academic conduct they may be subject to penalties.

• Academic misconduct: covers, but is not limited to, acts of plagiarism, cheating, fabrication of data or research, unauthorised collaboration [e.g. collusion], misrepresentation of student status, and falsification of academic qualifications.

• Collusion: is the presentation by a student of work as his or her own which is in fact the result, in whole or in part, of unauthorised collaboration with another person or persons. Both the student presenting the assignment and the student(s) willingly supplying unauthorised material (colluders) are considered participants in the act of collusion. Examples of collusion may include:
2. Submitting work that includes material obtained as a result of significant assistance from another person(s), if that assistance does not comply with the instructions or guidelines set out by a lecturer or tutor or QIBT;
3. Assisting or provoking another student to present/submit work that is not their own and which does not meet the instructions or guidelines set out by a lecturer or tutor or QIBT;
4. Copying and submitting another student’s work, wholly or partially, by a process of mechanical transformation, for example changing variable names in computer programs;
5. Copying and submitting another person’s work as if it were your own. If a student lends an assignment to another student and their assignment is copied and handed in by that student, both students will be penalised.
Applications for Deferred In-Semester Assessment
• Applications for deferred in semester assessment must be submitted to the QIBT Reception within three (3) working days of the due date for the assessment item. E-mail your Tutor and show your Medical Certificate to your Tutor.
• Grounds for extensions/ deferred assessment are usually: serious illness, accident, disability, bereavement or other compassionate circumstances and must be able to be substantiated with relevant documentation [e.g. medical certificate]. Please refer to the QIBT website – Policy Library – for guidelines regarding extensions and deferred assessment.
Failure to submit an item of assessment, either in hard or electronic copy, by the due date without an approval for extension of time from the relevant course tutor may result in a penalty.
Assessment submitted after the due date will be penalised 10% of the TOTAL marks available for assessment for the assessment item (not the mark awarded to the student) for each day the assessment is late. Assessment submitted more than five days late will be awarded a mark of zero (0)
Assignment
Business Scenario: Note: Your report may not be based on a real business.
You have recently purchased a fictitious medium sized business that operates in 4 different locations in the same city. You are looking to expand your business to 10 locations across other cities in the near future if your business improves its efficiency and the market is ripe.
The business first opened in 1975 and it serviced the local community for many years. Unfortunately, business has been steadily declining over the last few years. Although the previous owner was an expert at running the business, it is outdated. The only computers currently used by the business are cash registers. All ordering takes place manually on paper. The previous owner had a terrific memory and knew all of his customers by name, but unfortunately, none of this information is located anywhere on the premises. Sales and inventory are tracked on paper, along with employee payroll, and marketing is conducted using newspapers and TV advertising. The business does not have a Website, uses very little marketing except word-of-mouth, and essentially still operates the same as it did in 1975.
In order to improve and update your business you are going to implement a new information system. But information systems cost money, which is something you do not have.
You are to apply to your local bank for a loan of up to a maximum $100,000 to improve business processes and bring the business into the 21st century. (Note: You must request the actual amount of money calculated in your project budget) However the bank has asked you to support your application with a Business Report.
Assignment Marking:
The assignment is developed over the period of the course and comprises your entire Business Report.
There is a Business Report Writing Tool http://www.griffith.edu.au/library/workshops-training/self-help-resources/writing ). Use these tools to help you develop your report. There is also a ‘Sample Report’ that will help you structure your report correctly.
Your Report should include:
1.1.1 Table of Contents
Update the table of contents ensuring that any additional headings, sub-headings and changes are showing. For Example: your final submission should not show the marks attributed to that section in the heading.

Assignment – Business Report
Based on the Business Scenario students are required to complete a business analysis report that could be used to support a business bank loan application for up to $100,000 (Your actual loan amount will depend on your calculated project budget).
Students can choose a type of business within any industry that they are interested in. For example if your major is accounting you could choose to develop an information systems for an accounting firm that is currently paper based in order to bring the business into the 21st century.
Your report may not be based on a real business. You can review real businesses to get ideas to improve your business.
Your business must operate in 4 different locations in one city. In the future your business may open 10 new operations in other cities to bring your business empire to a total of 14 locations.

Below are the requirements of your Business Report. Please follow these guidelines along with the assignment rubric while completing this report.
Table of Contents Page
1.0 Introduction

1.1 Background

1.2 Aim

2.0 Business Overview

3.0 Business Analysis

4.0 Business Analysis Team

5.0 Business Analysis Team ICT (Information and Communications Technology consultants)

6.0 Business Process Analysis and Management (BPM)

7.0 BPM ICT Design

8.0 Customer Relationship Database Design

9.0 Project Plan

10.0 Project Budget

11.0 Conclusion

12.0 References

Please use the Assignment Template to complete your report. Your completed assignment is due in week 11.

VIP: All items in your report MUST be completed in relation to your chosen business.
Very few marks will be awarded for general theory that isn’t directly related to your individual business. Your report must be in your own words.
We are looking for your business analysis skills and understanding of how IS technology can be used to improve a typical small medium enterprise (SME).
All other items should be completed and are marked as per the instructions below.

Marking details (Assignment Rubic)

Assignment Marking Criteria
Section Marks
Table of Contents Page 2
1.0 Introduction 5
2.0 Business Overview 5
3.0 Business Analysis 5
4.0 Business Analysis Team 5
5.0 Business Analysis Team ICT (Information and Communications Technology) 5
6.0 Business Process Analysis and Management (BPM) 10
7.0 BPM ICT Design 10
8.0 Customer Relationship Database Design 10
9.0 Project Plan 10
10.0 Project Budget 10
11.0 Conclusion 5
12.0 Reference List Quality 10
Reference List APA format 3
Draft Report bonus (in-class before Friday Week 9 only) 5
Sub Total /100
Final mark 50% /50%

Contents

1. Introduction 7
Introduction and Background to the report 8
Aim of the report 8
2. Business Overview 9
3. Business Project Analysis 10
4. Business Analysis Team 10
5. Business Analysis Team ICT (Information and Communications Technology) 10
6. Business Process Analysis and Management (BPM) 11
7. BPM ICT Design 11
8. Customer Relationship Database Design 12
9. Project Plan 13
10. Project Budget 14
11. Conclusion 15
12. References 15
[You will need to update this Table of Contents before submitting your final report]
[Not included in word count]
What we are looking for
• Has the table been updated
• Have the headings been updated (do not include the marks)
• Does the table of contents link to each heading
• Are the headings formatted correctly (indenting or heading levels are correctly formatted)
• Page numbering identified and correct

1. Introduction
[The main body should begin with the introduction.]
[Headings and sub-headings are numbered sequentially.]
[It also helps to highlight headings with bold font.]
[Remember to leave at least 3cm margins.]
[Make sure your work is 1.5 spacing]
[Refer to the sample report for an example of background content]

[approx. 200 words total for this section, including 1.1, 1.2]

Introduction
Capture the reader’s attention by stating:
• aims and objectives in detail
• the problem or situation that prompted this report
• what the report intends to achieve
• any definition of terms
Writing the introduction
An introduction acts as a ‘roadmap’ to your reader. It helps them to understand where you are
going in your assignment, how you will get there, and what they will see along the way.
There are several distinct parts to an introduction, and they are as follows:

Introducing the topic or subject area.
The main aim of the first part of any introduction is to introduce the topic or subject area, and the most important concept(s) relevant to answering the question.
Aim or purpose
The introduction also needs to indicate your aim(s) or purpose in the assignment.
Structure or overall plan
You need to signal how you will present information in the assignment. In what order will the key points appear? This gives the reader an indication of what to expect.
What we are looking for
• The paragraph introduces the section
• It provides an overview of this report
• It introduces the sub sections identified within 1.0
• Explains why this report is required
• The spacing is set at 1.5
• No grammar
• No spelling errors
• Paragraph flow
• Sentence structure
• Writing quality
All items in italics are required in each section of the assignment and have weighting on the solo taxonomy level marks.
1.1 Introduction and Background to the report

[Make sure your work is 1.5 spacing]
[Refer to the sample report for an example of background content]

What we are looking for
• The paragraph clearly outlines the background for this report
• Understands what a background for a report is.
• Why is the report being written?

1.2 Aim of the report

[Make sure your work is 1.5 spacing]
[Refer to the sample report for an example of aim content]

What we are looking for
• The paragraph clearly outlines the aim for this report
• Understands what an aim for a report is
• aims and objectives in detail
• the problem or situation that prompted this report
• what the report intends to achieve
• any definition of terms
2. Business Overview
[Provide an overview of your business. Describe the main features of your business. History, business mission, goals, objectives, key products and or services, staff roles and numbers, customers, market etc . Your report may not be based on a real business.]
Diagram 1. Using MS Word Smart Art or shapes, draw a supply chain management (SCM) diagram to illustrate your business supply chain.

[200 words]
What we are looking for
• The section clearly outlines an overview of the business and why the business loan is required
• Introduce your business and its mission, goals and objectives. Describe how you will measure whether you have achieved your objectives and an estimated timescale.
• Remember your business must operate in 4 different locations in one city.
• Diagram 1. Using MS Word Smart Art or shapes, draw a supply chain management (SCM) diagram to illustrate your business supply chain.
3. Business Project Analysis
Introduce your business analysis, identifying the areas of your business that you have reviewed and why?
Which of your business functions (processes and departments) are you investigating?
Why are you conducting this analysis?
What are the current problems these business functions?
How will this project improve your businesses efficiency?
[300 words]
What we are looking for:
• Clear identification of the business functions you are investigating.
• Discussion of the current problems of these business functions?
• Identification of how this project will improve your businesses efficiency?

4. Business Analysis Team
Developing a new information system for your business requires employees at all levels to work in effective teams to ensure the success of this new system. Identify the team/s that you will need and the responsibility of the team/s. Include the types of IT staff that will be hired to help you develop the project. What role/s will you allocate to each individual in these teams and why?
[200 words]
What we are looking for:
• A list of people who will be involved in the development of your project. (Business and IT)
• A description of the individual roles (jobs) of people who will be involved in the development of your project and why you chose them to be in your project development team.
[Effective teams: Refer to Chapter Extension 1: Improving your Collaboration Skills. pg 404 – 411]

5. Business Analysis Team ICT (Information and Communications Technology)

How will your teams collaborate to achieve the goal of developing a new information system? What types of technology will your team use to communicate?
[100 words]

[Refer to Chapter Extension 2: Using Collaboration Information Systems. pg 414 – 429]
6. Business Process Analysis and Management (BPM)

An organization’s success depends on quality of managers’ decisions.
To be able to make good management decisions a manager must understand the business processes that are key to the success of their business.

Describe one of the main processes that are a feature of your business.
Diagram 2. Using MS Word shapes draw a BPMN diagram to illustrate your existing main business processes.

[300 words]

What we are looking for:
• 1 diagram (BPMN before IS technology)
• Decisions: Which will be improved
• Why?
• How will they be improved?
• Explain what process will be impacted by the new information system
• Demonstrate your understanding of the impact of your decision making process
[Business Processes: Refer to Chapter 2: Business Processes, Information and Information Systems. pg 27 – 41]
[SCM diagrams: Refer to Chapter 8: Digital Commerce and Web 2.0. pg 237 – 243]
[BPMN diagrams: Refer to Chapter 7: Business Process Management diagrams and examples. pg 197 – 202]
[Decision Making: Refer to Chapter Extension 3: Information Systems and Decision Making. pg 432 – 436]
7. BPM ICT Design

List and describe the types of ICT that you will use to enable your new business processes.
Discuss why you have selected each ICT.

What decision process steps would be improved by introducing a new IS system? Why?
Diagram 3. Draw a second BPMN diagram to illustrate your planned main business processes after the implementation of your new information systems.
[200 words]

• Identifies the types of information systems that this loan supports
• 1 diagram (BPMN after the implementation of IS technology)
• Discusses the decision process steps would be improved by introducing a new IS system and why?
8. Customer Relationship Database Design

Databases are created to operate large quantities of information by inputting, storing, retrieving, and managing that information. Databases are used to support internal operations of organizations and to underpin online interactions with customers and suppliers

Describe the types of information will each of your users need?
What information will be stored in your knowledge management system (Database)?
Why is this information important to your business?
[100 words]

Access: Create a customer relationship management database using MS Access for your business.
Arrange the information needed by each type of staff member you identified into an Access Database.
Ensure that you create ‘enforced’ relationships between the tables.
Create 2 Queries for your database.
1. Create a query that displays typical Customer orders.
2. Create a query of your choice (including 1 group total) that provides useful information to you as owner of the business.

What we are looking for.
• A list of the type of information each user will require to perform their role and why this information is important.
• A sample ACCESS database containing the types of information that your business will need.
• For each entity, include all the attributes. Identify the primary key. If there is any foreign key identify it as well.
• Create ‘enforced’ relationships between the tables
• Use realistic sample data to populate each of the tables with 3-5 records (using MS Access).
• Create 2 queries.
• NOTE: Your database and data will be unique to your business.
[Name your ACCESS file with your student ID.
Submit your Access File
Create a folder with your Student ID. Insert your ACCESS file.
Submit your folder to your class folder in the QIBT Dropbox (I drive)
> 1008ICT Assignment Folder
> Your Class folder

[Refer to Chapter Extension 7 Using Microsoft Access 2010 pgs 484 – 495]
[Chapter Extension 8 “Using Excel and Access together” Pg 516 – 521 “How can you create group totals in ACCESS?”]
9. Project Plan
You will used the supplied Excel Project Planning file to create a WBS table, a Gantt Chat and a PERT chart to help you manage you project.
In approximately discuss how you would use your Project Plan Excel file to help you manage your project.

Using the Supplied Excel Project Planning file:
• Create your WBS table using MS Excel.
• Insert your start date
• Assign task names and durations to tasks in your project.
• Specify task dependencies.(Predecessors)
• Create a PERT/CPM diagram for your project and identify the critical path in RED.
• Discuss how you would use your Project Plan Excel file to help you manage your project.

[200 words]

[Use the one Excel file for your budget and project plan].
• Create a folder with your Student ID. Insert your EXCEL files.
• Submit your folder to your class folder in the QIBT Dropbox (I drive)
> 1008ICT Assignment Folder
> Your Class folder
What we are looking for:
• WBS Table and Gantt Chart.
• Assign durations to tasks.
• Specify task dependencies.
• Identify Critical path in PERT/CPM.
• Discuss how you would use your Project Plan Excel file to help you manage your project.

[Refer to Chapter Extension 11 Systems Development Project Management pgs 563 – 576]

10. Project Budget

Describe the process and steps required for preparing your budget for your new information system.
Using Microsoft Excel prepare a budget for this information system.
Conduct searches for up-to-date prices of the following items required to install and implement the information system for your business, including:
• hardware,
• software
• networking
• Staff
• training
• other expenses
Provide links to any site that you use or reference.
Provide active website links to any site that you use or reference in your spreadsheet. (Inset supplier website URLs to your spreadsheet as active links)
You must use Excel Formulae and functions to calculate your budget. Typed in answers (literals) will receive no marks.
Create 1 chart of your choice to visually identify the important information in your budget.
[100 word introduction to summarizing your budget and excel file]
What we are looking for:
• A description of the process and steps (Around 100 words)
• A list of active website links to supplier websites.
• Budget table in Excel including hardware, and software components.
• Use of Excel Formulae and functions to calculate your budget.
• Total Cost adds up to no more than $100,000
• An Excel Chart visually identifying the important information in your budget.
[Name your Excel file Budget and Project plan and your student ID].
• Create a folder with your Student ID. Insert your EXCEL files.
• Submit your folder to your class folder in the QIBT Dropbox (I drive)
> 1008ICT Assignment Folder
> Your Class folder
[Refer to Chapter Extension 5 Introduction to Microsoft Excel pg 447 – 465
Chapter Extension 6 Preparing a Computer Budget using Excel pg 466 – 483
Chapter Extension 8 Using Excel and Access Together: Charts pg 512 – 516]

11. Conclusion
[The conclusion should be a summary of your findings (business analysis). It should attempt to provide a response to key questions you posed in the introduction (why you need this loan). Remember NO NEW INFORMATION]
[150 words]
What we are looking for
• The section provides a clear conclusion for the report
• The section provides a clear conclusion of section 3.0 – 10.0
• The section clearly identifies why the report is written to support the loan application and why the loan should be approved

12. References
[Remember to list all sources you refer to – in-text in a reference list. Do not number or bullet the sources. Simply place all sources in alphabetical order according to the first author’s family name.]
[All sources, including web pages, blogs, wikis, news media, reports and journal articles that you referenced in-text MUST be listed in your reference list]
[A minimum of 10 peer reviewed journal articles or government websites are required.
[This section is not included in your word count]
What we are looking for
• Reference list includes ONLY those references used in this report.
• Formatted correctly to APA 6 formatting style
References:
A minimum of 10 peer reviewed journal articles or government websites are required.
QUALITY References:
References must be relevant to your business analysis. No marks will be awarded for non-relevant references.
References must be less than 10 years old. No marks will be awarded for old references.
A reference list includes all the references that you have cited in the text of your assignment.
Each reference is indicated in-text by the author’s name and the date of the publication.

Draft Report bonus
Consult with your tutor in class by showing them a substantial draft of your report and Excel and Access files before the end of week 9 and earn 5 marks. E-mails will not be accepted. Late consultations will not earn any marks.
Final Submission
1. Submit a printout of your report to your Lecturer
2. Submit your report to TURNITIN
3. Submit your 2 computer files only (1 Excel (Project Budget and Plan) and 1 Access (Your Business Database)). [Name your files with the task name and your student ID].
• Create a folder with your Student ID. Insert your EXCEL and your ACCESS files.
• Submit your folder to your class folder in the QIBT Dropbox (I drive)
> 1008ICT Assignment Folder
> Your Class folder
(Note: you must create and name your files before you submit to the QIBT Dropbox as the QIBT Dropbox will not allow you to change your files after you have submitted)
End of Assignment Phew!!!!!!!

Paper details:
Here is the scenario: I have recently purchased a fictitious medium sizes business. During the last few years this business has been declining therefore I need to apply the local bank for a loan of up to a max $100000 and the bank is asking for a business report to support my applications.
Addition: – Excel File (Project budget and plan)
– Access file (my business database)

1008ICT
Business Informatics

Semester 1 Assignment Study Guide 2015

50% of your final course mark
Report Length 2000 Words (approximately)
1 Excel File (Project Budget and Plan)
1 Access file (Your Business Database)

Draft Report bonus (in-class before Friday Week 9 only)
Final Report and computer files due date: Friday 6pm 22nd May Week 11

This is an Individual Assignment.
Collusion is Academic Misconduct. See QIBT Academic integrity policy.

QIBT Academic Integrity Policy
http://policy.qibt.qld.edu.au/

Throughout the duration of their studies at the College, students are expected to conduct themselves in an honest and ethical manner, and in accordance with accepted standards of academic conduct.  Forms of behaviour contrary to these standards are understood to be academic misconduct.  Where a student is found to have breached standards of academic conduct they may be subject to penalties.

•  Academic misconduct: covers, but is not limited to, acts of plagiarism, cheating, fabrication of data or research, unauthorised collaboration [e.g. collusion], misrepresentation of student status, and falsification of academic qualifications.

•   Collusion:  is the presentation by a student of work as his or her own which is in fact the result, in whole or in part, of unauthorised collaboration with another person or persons.  Both the student presenting the assignment and the student(s) willingly supplying unauthorised material (colluders) are considered participants in the act of collusion.  Examples of collusion may include:
2.    Submitting work that includes material obtained as a result of significant assistance from another person(s), if that assistance does not comply with the instructions or guidelines set out by a lecturer or tutor or QIBT;
3.    Assisting or provoking another student to present/submit work that is not their own and which does not meet the instructions or guidelines set out by a lecturer or tutor or QIBT;
4.    Copying and submitting another student’s work, wholly or partially, by a process of mechanical transformation, for example changing variable names in computer programs;
5.    Copying and submitting another person’s work as if it were your own. If a student lends an assignment to another student and their assignment is copied and handed in by that student, both students will be penalised.
Applications for Deferred In-Semester Assessment
•    Applications for deferred in semester assessment must be submitted to the QIBT Reception within three (3) working days of the due date for the assessment item.  E-mail your Tutor and show your Medical Certificate to your Tutor.
•    Grounds for extensions/ deferred assessment are usually: serious illness, accident, disability, bereavement or other compassionate circumstances and must be able to be substantiated with relevant documentation [e.g. medical certificate]. Please refer to the QIBT website – Policy Library – for guidelines regarding extensions and deferred assessment.
Failure to submit an item of assessment, either in hard or electronic copy, by the due date without an approval for extension of time from the relevant course tutor may result in a penalty.
Assessment submitted after the due date will be penalised 10% of the TOTAL marks available for assessment for the assessment item (not the mark awarded to the student) for each day the assessment is late. Assessment submitted more than five days late will be awarded a mark of zero (0)
Assignment
Business Scenario: Note: Your report may not be based on a real business.
You have recently purchased a fictitious medium sized business that operates in 4 different locations in the same city. You are looking to expand your business to 10 locations across other cities in the near future if your business improves its efficiency and the market is ripe.
The business first opened in 1975 and it serviced the local community for many years. Unfortunately, business has been steadily declining over the last few years. Although the previous owner was an expert at running the business, it is outdated. The only computers currently used by the business are cash registers. All ordering takes place manually on paper. The previous owner had a terrific memory and knew all of his customers by name, but unfortunately, none of this information is located anywhere on the premises. Sales and inventory are tracked on paper, along with employee payroll, and marketing is conducted using newspapers and TV advertising. The business does not have a Website, uses very little marketing except word-of-mouth, and essentially still operates the same as it did in 1975.
In order to improve and update your business you are going to implement a new information system. But information systems cost money, which is something you do not have.
You are to apply to your local bank for a loan of up to a maximum $100,000 to improve business processes and bring the business into the 21st century. (Note: You must request the actual amount of money calculated in your project budget) However the bank has asked you to support your application with a Business Report.
Assignment Marking:
The assignment is developed over the period of the course and comprises your entire Business Report.
There is a Business Report Writing Tool http://www.griffith.edu.au/library/workshops-training/self-help-resources/writing ). Use these tools to help you develop your report. There is also a ‘Sample Report’ that will help you structure your report correctly.
Your Report should include:
1.1.1    Table of Contents
Update the table of contents ensuring that any additional headings, sub-headings and changes are showing. For Example: your final submission should not show the marks attributed to that section in the heading.

Assignment  – Business Report
Based on the Business Scenario students are required to complete a business analysis report that could be used to support a business bank loan application for up to $100,000 (Your actual loan amount will depend on your calculated project budget).
Students can choose a type of business within any industry that they are interested in. For example if your major is accounting you could choose to develop an information systems for an accounting firm that is currently paper based in order to bring the business into the 21st century.
Your report may not be based on a real business. You can review real businesses to get ideas to improve your business.
Your business must operate in 4 different locations in one city. In the future your business may open 10 new operations in other cities to bring your business empire to a total of 14 locations.

Below are the requirements of your Business Report. Please follow these guidelines along with the assignment rubric while completing this report.
Table of Contents Page
1.0    Introduction

1.1    Background

1.2    Aim

2.0    Business Overview

3.0    Business Analysis

4.0    Business Analysis Team

5.0    Business Analysis Team ICT (Information and Communications Technology consultants)

6.0    Business Process Analysis and Management (BPM)

7.0    BPM ICT Design

8.0    Customer Relationship Database Design

9.0    Project Plan

10.0     Project Budget

11.0    Conclusion

12.0    References

Please use the Assignment Template to complete your report. Your completed assignment is due in week 11.

VIP: All items in your report MUST be completed in relation to your chosen business.
Very few marks will be awarded for general theory that isn’t directly related to your individual business. Your report must be in your own words.
We are looking for your business analysis skills and understanding of how IS technology can be used to improve a typical small medium enterprise (SME).
All other items should be completed and are marked as per the instructions below.

Marking details (Assignment Rubic)

Assignment Marking Criteria
Section        Marks
Table of Contents Page    2
1.0    Introduction     5
2.0    Business Overview    5
3.0    Business Analysis    5
4.0    Business Analysis Team    5
5.0    Business Analysis Team ICT (Information and Communications Technology)    5
6.0    Business Process Analysis and Management (BPM)    10
7.0    BPM ICT Design    10
8.0    Customer Relationship Database Design     10
9.0    Project Plan     10
10.0    Project Budget    10
11.0    Conclusion     5
12.0    Reference List Quality    10
Reference List APA format    3
Draft Report bonus (in-class before Friday Week 9 only)    5
Sub Total    /100
Final mark  50%    /50%

Contents

1.    Introduction    7
Introduction and Background to the report    8
Aim of the report    8
2.    Business Overview    9
3.    Business Project Analysis    10
4.    Business Analysis Team    10
5.    Business Analysis Team ICT (Information and Communications Technology)    10
6.    Business Process Analysis and Management (BPM)    11
7.    BPM ICT Design    11
8.    Customer Relationship Database Design    12
9.    Project Plan    13
10.    Project Budget    14
11.    Conclusion    15
12.    References    15

[You will need to update this Table of Contents before submitting your final report]
[Not included in word count]
What we are looking for
•    Has the table been updated
•    Have the headings been updated (do not include the marks)
•    Does the table of contents link to each heading
•    Are the headings formatted correctly (indenting or heading levels are correctly formatted)
•    Page numbering identified and correct

1.    Introduction
[The main body should begin with the introduction.]
[Headings and sub-headings are numbered sequentially.]
[It also helps to highlight headings with bold font.]
[Remember to leave at least 3cm margins.]
[Make sure your work is 1.5 spacing]
[Refer to the sample report for an example of background content]

[approx. 200 words total for this section, including 1.1, 1.2]

Introduction
Capture the reader’s attention by stating:
•    aims and objectives in detail
•    the problem or situation that prompted this report
•    what the report intends to achieve
•    any definition of terms
Writing the introduction
An introduction acts as a ‘roadmap’ to your reader. It helps them to understand where you are
going in your assignment, how you will get there, and what they will see along the way.
There are several distinct parts to an introduction, and they are as follows:

Introducing the topic or subject area.
The main aim of the first part of any introduction is to introduce the topic or subject area, and the most important concept(s) relevant to answering the question.
Aim or purpose
The introduction also needs to indicate your aim(s) or purpose in the assignment.
Structure or overall plan
You need to signal how you will present information in the assignment. In what order will the key points appear? This gives the reader an indication of what to expect.
What we are looking for
•    The paragraph introduces the section
•    It provides an overview of this report
•    It introduces the sub sections identified within 1.0
•    Explains why this report is required
•    The spacing is set at 1.5
•    No grammar
•    No spelling errors
•    Paragraph flow
•    Sentence structure
•    Writing quality
All items in italics are required in each section of the assignment and have weighting on the solo taxonomy level marks.
1.1    Introduction and Background to the report

[Make sure your work is 1.5 spacing]
[Refer to the sample report for an example of background content]

What we are looking for
•    The paragraph clearly outlines the background for this report
•    Understands what a background for a report is.
•    Why is the report being written?

1.2    Aim of the report

[Make sure your work is 1.5 spacing]
[Refer to the sample report for an example of aim content]

What we are looking for
•    The paragraph clearly outlines the aim for this report
•    Understands what an aim for a report is
•     aims and objectives in detail
•    the problem or situation that prompted this report
•    what the report intends to achieve
•    any definition of terms

2.    Business Overview
[Provide an overview of your business. Describe the main features of your business. History, business mission, goals, objectives, key products and or services, staff roles and numbers, customers, market etc . Your report may not be based on a real business.]
Diagram 1.  Using MS Word Smart Art or shapes, draw a supply chain management (SCM) diagram to illustrate your business supply chain.

[200 words]
What we are looking for
•    The section clearly outlines an overview of the business and why the business loan is required
•    Introduce your business and its mission, goals and objectives. Describe how you will measure whether you have achieved your objectives and an estimated timescale.
•    Remember your business must operate in 4 different locations in one city.
•    Diagram 1.  Using MS Word Smart Art or shapes, draw a supply chain management (SCM) diagram to illustrate your business supply chain.

3.    Business Project Analysis
Introduce your business analysis, identifying the areas of your business that you have reviewed and why?
Which of your business functions (processes and departments) are you investigating?
Why are you conducting this analysis?
What are the current problems these business functions?
How will this project improve your businesses efficiency?
[300 words]
What we are looking for:
•    Clear identification of the business functions you are investigating.
•    Discussion of the current problems of these business functions?
•    Identification of how this project will improve your businesses efficiency?

4.    Business Analysis Team
Developing a new information system for your business requires employees at all levels to work in effective teams to ensure the success of this new system. Identify the team/s that you will need and the responsibility of the team/s. Include the types of IT staff that will be hired to help you develop the project. What role/s will you allocate to each individual in these teams and why?
[200 words]
What we are looking for:
•    A list of people who will be involved in the development of your project. (Business and IT)
•    A description of the individual roles (jobs) of people who will be involved in the development of your project and why you chose them to be in your project development team.
[Effective teams: Refer to Chapter Extension 1: Improving your Collaboration Skills. pg 404 – 411]

5.    Business Analysis Team ICT (Information and Communications Technology)

How will your teams collaborate to achieve the goal of developing a new information system? What types of technology will your team use to communicate?
[100 words]

[Refer to Chapter Extension 2: Using Collaboration Information Systems. pg 414 – 429]

6.    Business Process Analysis and Management (BPM)

An organization’s success depends on quality of managers’ decisions.
To be able to make good management decisions a manager must understand the business processes that are key to the success of their business.

Describe one of the main processes that are a feature of your business.
Diagram 2.  Using MS Word shapes draw a BPMN diagram to illustrate your existing main business processes.

[300 words]

What we are looking for:
•    1 diagram (BPMN before IS technology)
•    Decisions: Which will be improved
•    Why?
•    How will they be improved?
•    Explain what process will be impacted by the new information system
•    Demonstrate your understanding of the impact of your decision making process
[Business Processes: Refer to Chapter 2:  Business Processes, Information and Information Systems. pg 27 – 41]
[SCM diagrams: Refer to Chapter 8: Digital Commerce and Web 2.0. pg 237 – 243]
[BPMN diagrams: Refer to Chapter 7: Business Process Management diagrams and examples. pg 197 – 202]
[Decision Making: Refer to Chapter Extension 3: Information Systems and Decision Making. pg 432 – 436]

7.    BPM ICT Design

List and describe the types of ICT that you will use to enable your new business processes.
Discuss why you have selected each ICT.

What decision process steps would be improved by introducing a new IS system? Why?
Diagram 3. Draw a second BPMN diagram to illustrate your planned main business processes after the implementation of your new information systems.
[200 words]

•    Identifies the types of information systems that this loan supports
•    1 diagram (BPMN after the implementation of  IS technology)
•    Discusses the decision process steps would be improved by introducing a new IS system and why?

8.    Customer Relationship Database Design

Databases are created to operate large quantities of information by inputting, storing, retrieving, and managing that information. Databases are used to support internal operations of organizations and to underpin online interactions with customers and suppliers

Describe the types of information will each of your users need?
What information will be stored in your knowledge management system (Database)?
Why is this information important to your business?
[100 words]

Access: Create a customer relationship management database using MS Access for your business.
Arrange the information needed by each type of staff member you identified into an Access Database.
Ensure that you create ‘enforced’ relationships between the tables.
Create 2 Queries for your database.
1.    Create a query that displays typical Customer orders.
2.    Create a query of your choice (including 1 group total) that provides useful information to you as owner of the business.

What we are looking for.
•    A list of the type of information each user will require to perform their role and why this information is important.
•    A sample ACCESS database containing the types of information that your business will need.
•    For each entity, include all the attributes. Identify the primary key. If there is any foreign key identify it as well.
•    Create ‘enforced’ relationships between the tables
•    Use realistic sample data to populate each of the tables with 3-5 records (using MS Access).
•     Create 2 queries.
•    NOTE: Your database and data will be unique to your business.
[Name your ACCESS file with your student ID.
Submit your Access File
Create a folder with your Student ID. Insert your ACCESS file.
Submit your folder to your class folder in the QIBT Dropbox  (I drive)
> 1008ICT Assignment Folder
> Your Class folder

[Refer to Chapter Extension 7 Using Microsoft Access 2010 pgs 484 – 495]
[Chapter Extension 8 “Using Excel and Access together” Pg 516 – 521 “How can you create group totals in ACCESS?”]

9.    Project Plan
You will used the supplied Excel Project Planning file to create a WBS table, a Gantt Chat and a PERT chart to help you manage you project.
In approximately discuss how you would use your Project Plan Excel file to help you manage your project.

Using the Supplied Excel Project Planning file:
•    Create your WBS table using MS Excel.
•    Insert your start date
•    Assign task names and durations to tasks in your project.
•    Specify task dependencies.(Predecessors)
•    Create a PERT/CPM diagram for your project and identify the critical path in RED.
•    Discuss how you would use your Project Plan Excel file to help you manage your project.

[200 words]

[Use the one Excel file for your budget and project plan].
•       Create a folder with your Student ID. Insert your EXCEL files.
•       Submit your folder to your class folder in the QIBT Dropbox  (I drive)
> 1008ICT Assignment Folder
> Your Class folder
What we are looking for:
•    WBS Table and Gantt Chart.
•    Assign durations to tasks.
•    Specify task dependencies.
•    Identify Critical path in PERT/CPM.
•    Discuss how you would use your Project Plan Excel file to help you manage your project.

[Refer to Chapter Extension 11 Systems Development Project Management pgs 563 – 576]

10.    Project Budget

Describe the process and steps required for preparing your budget for your new information system.
Using Microsoft Excel prepare a budget for this information system.
Conduct searches for up-to-date prices of the following items required to install and implement the information system for your business, including:
•    hardware,
•    software
•    networking
•    Staff
•    training
•    other expenses
Provide links to any site that you use or reference.
Provide active website links to any site that you use or reference in your spreadsheet. (Inset supplier website URLs to your spreadsheet as active links)
You must use Excel Formulae and functions to calculate your budget. Typed in answers (literals) will receive no marks.
Create 1 chart of your choice to visually identify the important information in your budget.
[100 word introduction to summarizing your budget and excel file]
What we are looking for:
•    A description of the process and steps (Around 100 words)
•    A list of active website links to supplier websites.
•    Budget table in Excel including hardware, and software components.
•    Use of Excel Formulae and functions to calculate your budget.
•    Total Cost adds up to no more than $100,000
•    An Excel Chart visually identifying the important information in your budget.
[Name your Excel file Budget and Project plan and your student ID].
•       Create a folder with your Student ID. Insert your EXCEL files.
•       Submit your folder to your class folder in the QIBT Dropbox  (I drive)
> 1008ICT Assignment Folder
> Your Class folder
[Refer to Chapter Extension 5 Introduction to Microsoft Excel pg 447 – 465
Chapter Extension 6 Preparing a Computer Budget using Excel pg 466 – 483
Chapter Extension 8 Using Excel and Access Together: Charts pg 512 – 516]

11.    Conclusion
[The conclusion should be a summary of your findings (business analysis). It should attempt to provide a response to key questions you posed in the introduction (why you need this loan). Remember NO NEW INFORMATION]
[150 words]
What we are looking for
•    The section provides a clear conclusion for the report
•    The section provides a clear conclusion of section 3.0 – 10.0
•    The section clearly identifies why the report is written to support the loan application and why the loan should be approved

12.    References
[Remember to list all sources you refer to – in-text in a reference list. Do not number or bullet the sources. Simply place all sources in alphabetical order according to the first author’s family name.]
[All sources, including web pages, blogs, wikis, news media, reports and journal articles that you referenced in-text MUST be listed in your reference list]
[A minimum of 10 peer reviewed journal articles or government websites are required.
[This section is not included in your word count]
What we are looking for
•    Reference list includes ONLY those references used in this report.
•    Formatted correctly to APA 6 formatting style
References:
A minimum of 10 peer reviewed journal articles or government websites are required.
QUALITY References:
References must be relevant to your business analysis. No marks will be awarded for non-relevant references.
References must be less than 10 years old. No marks will be awarded for old references.
A reference list includes all the references that you have cited in the text of your assignment.
Each reference is indicated in-text by the author’s name and the date of the publication.

Draft Report bonus
Consult with your tutor in class by showing them a substantial draft of your report and Excel and Access files before the end of week 9 and earn 5 marks.  E-mails will not be accepted. Late consultations will not earn any marks.
Final Submission
1.    Submit a printout of your report to your Lecturer
2.    Submit your report to TURNITIN
3.    Submit your 2 computer files only (1 Excel (Project Budget and Plan) and 1 Access (Your Business Database)).  [Name your files with the task name and your student ID].
•       Create a folder with your Student ID. Insert your EXCEL and your ACCESS files.
•       Submit your folder to your class folder in the QIBT Dropbox  (I drive)
> 1008ICT Assignment Folder
> Your Class folder
(Note: you must create and name your files before you submit to the QIBT Dropbox as the QIBT Dropbox will not allow you to change your files after you have submitted)

End of Assignment                   Phew!!!!!!!