This course explores the role of IT leadership—especially that provided by the CIO. What are the issues, activities, and responsibilities facing IT leaders in delivering value to organizations through information technology? Course topics include the following:
the CIO role
understanding and measuring IT value
setting IT budgets
developing IT roadmaps and managing innovation
managing perceptions of IT
implementing IT controls
managing vendors
managing employees in the IT organization
This course is particularly important for students interested in careers in information technology. However, IT is a service on which all business units depend, so understanding its management is helpful for all students who intend to work in organizations.
Outline
Students of CMIS 431 study the following units:
Lesson 1: The CIO and IT Leadership
Lesson 2: IT Mission and Managing its Costs
Lesson 3: The Value of IT
Lesson 4: Planning the Future State of IT
Lesson 5: IT Governance
Lesson 6: Managing IT Risk
Lesson 7: Building Strong IT-Business Relationships
Lesson 8: Leading Technology-Enabled Innovation
Lesson 9: Vendor Partnering
Lesson 10: Managing Talent
Evaluation
To receive credit for CMIS 431, you must achieve a minimum grade of 50 percent on the Final Examination, and an overall grade of D (50 percent) for the entire course. The weighting of each assessment activity is indicated in the chart below.
Activity
Weight
Assignment 1: Leadership Journal
20%
Assignment 2: Case Analysis
15%
Assignment 3: Innovation Presentation
15%
Participation in Graded Forums
10%
Final Exam
40%
Total
100%
The final examination for this course must be requested in advance and written under the supervision of an AU-approved exam invigilator. Invigilators include either ProctorU or an approved in-person invigilation centre that can accommodate online exams. Students are responsible for payment of any invigilation fees. Information on exam request deadlines, invigilators, and other exam-related questions, can be found at the Exams and grades section of the Calendar.
To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University’s online Calendar.
Materials
Austin, R. D., Nolan, R. L., & O’Donnell, S. (2016). The adventures of an IT leader (updated ed.). Harvard Business School Publishing. ISBN 978-1-63369-166-7 (eText)
High, P. A. (2014). Implementing world class IT strategy: How IT can drive organizational innovation. Jossey-Bass. ISBN 978-1-118-63411-0 (eText)
Students will access all other course materials online.
Other Information
Students will complete Assignment 1 in the form of a blog. The blog tool is available on the course website.
Students will present Assignment 3 to their Academic Expert using PowerPoint (or similar software) in a synchronous teleconference with their Academic Expert.
Challenge for credit
Overview
The challenge for credit process allows you to demonstrate that you have acquired a command of the general subject matter, knowledge, intellectual and/or other skills that would normally be found in a university-level course.
Full information about challenge for credit can be found in the Undergraduate Calendar.
Evaluation
To receive credit for the CMIS 431 challenge registration, you must complete one written assignment, write a challenge examination, and achieve a composite course grade of at least D (50 percent).
Athabasca University reserves the right to amend course outlines occasionally and without notice. Courses offered by other delivery methods may vary from their individualized study counterparts.