BUSINESS SCHOOL

Unit of Study Outline

Unit Code INFS1000
Unit Title Digital Business Innovation
Semester 2, 2015
Pre-requisite Units:
Co-requisite Units:
Prohibited Units: ISYS1003, INFO1000
Assumed Knowledge and/or Skills: There is no assumed knowledge for this UoS. Students do not require any
prior IT knowledge to participate in this unit. This is not a computer course.
Unit Coordinator: Dr Barney Tan
Address: Room 394, Merewether Building(H04), The University of Sydney NSW 2006
Email: B.Tan@econ.usyd.edu.au Phone: 0293512983
Consultation Hours: Please go to Blackboard for details of all staff consultation times.
Class Day(s): Please go to Blackboard for class times and locations.
Required Text / Resources:
Kroenke, D.M.; Bunker, D.; Wilson, D. (2014) Experiencing MIS, 3rd Edition Pearson Australian Edition.

Previously used texts (e.g. Kroenke, D.M.; Bunker, D.; Wilson, D. Experiencing MIS 1st Edition or
Kroenke, D.M. Using MIS) are no longer suitable to be used as prescribed texts for this unit. Please note
that the above textbook is the Australian Edition; the American/International Edition of Experiencing MIS,
authored solely by D. Kroenke, is not suitable to be used as a prescribed text for this unit.
This unit of study outline MUST be read in conjunction with
The Business School Unit of Study Common Policy and implementation information that applies to every unit of study offered by the
Business School (http://sydney.edu.au/business/currentstudents/policy). All assessment rules, such as standards used, penalties etc, are
covered.
The Business School Student Administration Manual - for information about all processes such as illness, appeals etc (
http://sydney.edu.au/business/currentstudents/student_information/student_administration_manual) When deciding applications and
appeals relating to these matters it will be assumed that every student has taken the time to familiarise themselves with these key policies
and procedures.
The Business School seeks feedback from students and staff in order to continually improve all units offered. For information on previously
collected feedback and innovations made in response to this feedback, please see
http://sydney.edu.au/business/learning/planning_and_quality/feedback/student

1. Unit of Study Information

The Digital Economy, with its focus on information as a key business resource, has changed the way Business
Information Systems (BIS) are viewed in organisations. BIS are now seen as enablers of innovation in which
people, supported by powerful technology, are considered to be the most important component. This is because
problem-solving, innovation and critical thinking skills cannot be outsourced or easily acquired by competitors.
This unit is designed to develop your understanding of how businesses operate. It shows how information systems
support business operations and management through integration of people, business processes and systems.
You will be provided with an introduction to state-of-the art business analysis techniques, frameworks and models
to assist in understanding the nature and contribution of BIS in a range of business contexts. With its emphasis on
business rather than IT, this unit does not require prior IT-related experience. In this unit you will learn about the
increasingly important role of IT in business and acquire valuable business analysis and problem-solving skills.

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2. Program Learning Outcomes and Unit Learning Outcomes

The Program Learning Outcomes for this Program are located at
http://sydney.edu.au/business/about/accreditations-and-quality-assurance/AoL/outcomes
Unit Learning Outcomes
Unit Learning Outcomes
On the successful completion of the Unit you should be able to:
Make judgements about various ways in which IT can enable innovation in
business.
Demonstrate basic business analysis skills, such as in strategic analysis,
data modelling and business process modelling.

Program Learning Outcomes

1. Business Knowledge

1. Business Knowledge
2. Critical Thinking
3. Business Analysis and
Problem-Solving
Read and create basic visual representations of business processes using 3. Business Analysis and
BPMN notation, as well as basic data models as the basis for information
Problem-Solving
design activities.
Create Databases in MS Access software.
3. Business Analysis and
Problem-Solving
Resolve basic issues pertaining to information ethics.
1. Business Knowledge
6. Ethical and Social
Responsibility
Make informed judgements about team work requirements in a
1. Business Knowledge
problem-solving environment.
5. Team Working
Display understanding of business design in an end-to-end manner from
1. Business Knowledge
business idea to business execution.
2. Critical Thinking
3. Business Analysis and
Problem-Solving

3. Assessment
Assessment
Name

Individual/ Assessment
Group
Conditions

TBL Group Work

Group

Compulsory

Group Project

Group

Compulsory

Mid-Semester
Test

Individual

Final Exam

Individual

Academic Honesty

Program
Learning
Outcomes
Assessed
1, 3, 5

Weight

Due
Time

Due Date

Closing Date

n/a
2000
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
words

10%

16:00

Weekly

Weekly

25%

16:00

30-Oct-2015

06-Nov-2015

Compulsory

1, 3

1 hour

25%

02-Sep-2015

02-Sep-2015

Mandatory

1, 3

2 hours

40%

Final Exam
Period
Week 4

Final Exam
Period

Length

For the meaning and operation of this table, see policy information in the box on the front page or click here

Assessment details
TBL Group Work

Task Description
TBL activities are designed to help students to acquire higher-level learning skills in this context, including
creativity, lateral and reflective thinking, problem solving and critical analysis as well as the applied and
experiential BIS knowledge. This assessment component will take into account group homework preparation
for weekly TBL sessions as well as their participation in, and outcomes of collaborative in-class activities in
finalising their homework submissions. The TBL activity sheets will be handed out in class.

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Assessment Criteria
Apply effectively the BIS concepts and analysis techniques covered during the TBL session to a short case
study scenario.
Work effectively as a team during the TBL session in incorporating the instructors feedback in finalising
your group homework submission.

Feedback - What, when and how feedback will be provided for this assessment
Continuous feedback is built into the team-based learning environment. You will receive brief written feedback
on your activity worksheet when it is returned in the week after submission. In addition, your assigned TBL
tutor is available during class time to provide further face-to-face feedback upon request.

Group Project

Task Description
The objective of this group project assignment is to use the knowledge and practical skills acquired in this unit
of study to investigate and solve a real-life business problem. There are two deliverables as part of the Group
Project: A Project Report and a Lab Demonstration.
For the Project Report, you are expected to create and describe your own business idea for a pre-defined
scenario, which you will receive through Blackboard. In doing so, you will apply knowledge of strategic
positioning in describing the unique advantage of your business in the marketplace. Your main task will then
be to carry out an information needs analysis through creating a data model, the aim of which is to describe
the information needed to enable your business operations. In the practical part of the project (see lab
demonstration) you will develop a corresponding database solution. A business process diagram will then
outline how you use this database in your business operations. You will reflect critically on ethical implications
of managing information in your business and outline limitations and possible developments of your business
idea. Finally, you will reflect on your team-work experience the ways you organised the group work in this
project. Consequently, as an integrative learning task the assignment effectively ties together TBL learning
from weeks 1 to 8 in the unit. You are required to work within your designated TBL team (formed at the
beginning of semester).
For the Lab Demonstration, you will create a database in MS Access based on the data model developed in
your group project business scenario. During the last lab session of the semester (Week 13 - 28th October
2015), your group will be required to demonstrate basic information design skills acquired in this course in the
context of their project. To evaluate the contribution of each group member, a practical demonstration of your
database will also include individual questions. All group members are required to attend their demo
presentation and actively contribute.

Assessment Criteria
Project Report:
Create a coherent and logical business case within the business scenario outlined in the assignment
description (which you will receive through Blackboard).
Demonstrate understanding and mastery of the business analysis and conceptual modelling techniques
learned in the UoS, such as strategic analysis, data modelling, business process modelling and ethics
analysis by applying these techniques to your business case.
Demonstrate teamwork proficiency through delivering a coherent analysis in which all parts of the report
are tightly integrated.
Review critically your business case and analysis from both an ethical and a business perspective.
Communicate effectively your business case and analyses in a concise written report.

Lab Demonstration:
Demonstrate understanding of key database concepts by designing a working database prototype for your

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business scenario.
Demonstrate proficiency in using MS Access.
Work as a team to tightly integrate this practical part of the assignment with the written report.
Communicate effectively your ideas and database solution in a short practical demonstration.

Feedback - What, when and how feedback will be provided for this assessment
Receiving feedback while working on your group project will be an important part of your learning
progress. Feedback on your group's progress will be awailable in different ways: during lab workshop
sessions, lecturer consultation times and during special consultation sessions with lecturers and tutors
towards the later weeks of semester. Consultation times will be advertised on Blackboard. You are advised to
make use of these sessions to improve both your learning and the group project outcome.
Brief standardised feedback regarding the assignment outcome will be provided via the marking guide,
indicating for each separate task of the report the level of the group's achievement. Detailed face-to-face
feedback is available from the unit coordinator in specifically scheduled sessions upon request. For the lab
demonstration, feedback will also be provided orally and instantly by the marker during and after the
demonstration.

Mid-Semester Test

Task Description
The mid-semester test (25 marks) will focus on the fundamental concepts, applied and experiential knowledge
acquired in weeks 1-6 of the unit. It will consist of multiple-choice questions, short answer questions, and
short, case-based analysis tasks.
Assessment Criteria
Understand, explain and apply the BIS concepts covered in weeks 1-6 of the UoS.
Analyse and design a data model for a short text scenario.

Feedback - What, when and how feedback will be provided for this assessment
Feedback for the mid-semester test is provided in two stages:
1. General feedback is provided during class times through outlining and demonstrating solutions to the
short-answer and analysis questions.
2. Individual exam papers can be viewed during specially scheduled script review sessions.

Final Exam

Task Description
The final exam (40 marks) will focus on the fundamental concepts, applied and experiential knowledge
acquired in sessions 1-13 including the practical assignment. The exam will consist of multiple-choice
questions, short answer questions, and a case study with related questions.
Assessment Criteria
Understand, explain and apply the BIS concepts covered in weeks 1-12 of the UoS.
Analyse a two-page case study and apply the business analysis and conceptual modelling techniques
covered in the UoS.

Feedback - What, when and how feedback will be provided for this assessment
Feedback for the final exam is provided in two stages:
1. General feedback is provided during class times through outlining and demonstrating solutions to the
short-answer and analysis questions.

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2. Individual exam papers can be viewed during specially scheduled script review sessions.

4. Other Resources for Students

All lectures and seminars are recorded and will be available within Blackboard for student use. Please note the
Business School does not own the system and cannot guarantee that the system will operate or that every
class will be recorded. Students should ensure they attend and participate in all classes.
In INFS1000 only one of the TBL workshops will be recorded and made available. Please note that this
recording will only capture the lecture parts of the TBL session, but not the group activity parts. Participation in
the TBL activities is essential for your learning progress and cannot be substituted any other way.

Pass Program
Peer Assisted Study Sessions. This program helps to improve students' academic performance providing extra
free learning opportunities with trained student facilitators, including problem solving practice where relevant, in
areas directly related to understanding the unit concepts more thoroughly. Students register for PASS online at:
http://sydney.edu.au/business/learning/students/pass Email all enquiries about the PASS program to:
business.pass@sydney.edu.au

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5. Unit Schedule
Week
1
27 Jul 2015
2
3 Aug 2015
3
10 Aug 2015
4
17 Aug 2015
5
24 Aug 2015
6
31 Aug 2015
7
7 Sep 2015
8
14 Sep 2015
9
21 Sep 2015

List of Topics

Assessments Due

Introduction
Business processes
Competitive Advantage
Databases & Information

TBL homework
weeks 4-11

Data Modelling (ERD)

BIS Ethics

Midterm Exam

Business Process
Management (BPM)
Business Process Modelling (BPMN)
Digital Commerce & Internet Business
Common week 28 Sep to 4 Oct

10
5 Oct 2015
11
12 Oct 2015
12
19 Oct 2015

Labour Day (No TBL Session)

Business Intelligence
Social Media and
Collaborative Systems

13
Exam Preparation/ Course Review
26 Oct 2015

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Group Report
Lab
Demonstration