Value of information.(Data Analytics)

  Critically analyse how information and IT can generate business value and improve the firm’s overall competitiveness 

AssessmentInformation

MIS782 Value of Information
Assessment Task 1: IT Portfolio Theory rubric

Criteria High Distinction
(80 – 100)

Distinction
(70 – 79)

Credit
(60 – 69)

Pass
(50 – 59)

Fail
(0 – 49)

Content Development Demonstrates clear and
unambiguous understanding
of relevant and compelling
content illustrating mastery of
the application of concepts,
such as type of business
returns, IT portfolio theory and
tangibility and measurement
of returns.
Generates original knowledge
of complex ideas contributing
to professional practice,
demonstrating a sophisticated
understanding of the
relationship between theory
and practice.

Demonstrates a well-
developed level of
understanding of relevant and
compelling content illustrating
application of concepts such as
type of business returns, IT
portfolio theory and tangibility
and measurement of returns.
Generates original knowledge
of complex ideas, providing
connections between theories
and between theory and
examples.

Demonstrates an
understanding and knowledge
of relevant content, such as
type of business returns, IT
portfolio theory and tangibility
and measurement of returns.
Presents knowledge and ideas
clearly, and coherently,
providing connections
between theory and examples.

Provides description of
relevant content, such as type
of business returns, IT
portfolio theory and tangibility
and measurement of returns.
Presents knowledge and ideas
clearly and coherently.

Fails to provide relevant
content, such as type of
business returns, IT portfolio
theory and tangibility and
measurement of returns.
Does not present knowledge
and ideas clearly or
coherently.

weighted score / total marks:
10

Analysis The report provides
comprehensive evidence of
mature critical thought,
acknowledging and exploring
assumptions, discussing and
interpreting a wide range of
views and information,
allowing reconceptualisation
through evaluation of current
thinking.

The report provides strong
evidence of well-developed
critical thought, using a range
of views and information that
are organised and synthesised,
allowing reconceptualisation

The report provides evidence
of developed critical thought
through well-organised
argument supported by
relevant theory and
professional practice. Ideas are
explored from a number of
perspectives

The report provides evidence
of developing critical thought
through responses that are
relevant, with significant
points explored/ addressed,
using appropriate theory.

The overall report shows a
lack of or minimal capacity
for critical thinking (clarity,
logic, breadth, depth,
relevance, precision and
accuracy).

weighted score / total marks:
10

1

Name:

Student Number:

MIS782 Assignment 1 – IT Portfolio Theory

This document is a sample only. Feel free to change the formatting, headings and response format
(table or paragraph based responses) as you see fit.

Task 1:

1a. Identify various IT assets and their business value returns mentioned in the case study
using the IT Portfolio theory.

Asset IT Portfolio Asset
Class

Business Value

E.g. product inventory system E.g. transactional asset
Gap digitised its entire product inventory system
and introduced retail services.

Digital capability;
being able to
provide omni
services through
seamless
interaction
between physical
and online stores

..add more rows to the table to accommodate
additional entries

Hint: You may find it challenging to identify various IT assets in the case study due its focus on

analytics systems. However, there are mentions of various IT assets/functions of IT assets (e.g.

product inventory). You are also welcome to guesstimate the usual ones that most organisations

likely to own (e.g. HR system, Payroll, infrastructure). Explanations should be included briefly in the

relevant table cell.

1b. To what extent does this organisation have an IT portfolio which provides a balanced
view of value, risk and return?

Apply the theory of IT portfolio and risk-return balance discussion to build your argument. Ask

yourself: “To what extent does the case organisation have an IT portfolio, which provides a

balanced view of value, return and risk?”

Task 2:

2a. Based on the Resource based view of the firm (RBV), develop a list of resources and
capabilities that the organisation has access to.
2b. How do you think that resources and capabilities add value and rarity for Gap?

2

Hint: In building the list of resources and capabilities, make sure you allocate them in the right

category (e.g. tangible/intangible, technical or norms/values). Discuss value and rarity in terms of

principles of RBV and VRIO.

References:

Appendices (if you see fit):

Name:
Student Number:
MIS782 Assignment 1 – IT Portfolio Theory
Task 1:
Task 2:
References:
Appendices (if you see fit):

Assessment Information

MIS782: Value of Information

Assessment 1: IT Portfolio Theory

This document supplies detailed information on assessment tasks for this unit.

Key information

• Due: Monday, 9th April 2018 by 11:59pm

• Weighting: 20%

• Word count: 1500 words

Assurance of Learning

This assessment assesses the following Unit Learning Outcomes (ULO) and related Graduate Learning
Outcomes (GLO):

Unit Learning Outcome (ULO) Graduate Learning Outcome (GLO)

ULO 1: Critically analyse how information and IT can
generate business value and improve the firm’s
overall competitiveness

GLO 1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities:
appropriate to the level of study related to a
discipline or profession.

GLO 4: Critical Thinking: evaluating information using
critical and analytical thinking and judgement

Purpose

This is an individual assignment, which requires you to develop an understanding of how information and IT
can generate business value and improve a business’s overall competitiveness, and then produce a 1500-word
report on your findings.

Instructions

First read the case titled: Predicting consumer tastes with big data at Gap. The assigned case study will be used
for assignment 2 as well.

Develop responses to the following questions:

Task 1:

1a. Identify various IT assets and their business value returns mentioned in the case study using the IT
Portfolio theory.

1b. To what extent does this organisation have an IT portfolio which provides a balanced view of value,
risk and return?

Task 2:

2a. Based on the Resource based view of the firm (RBV), develop a list of resources and capabilities that
the organisation has access to.

2b. How do you think that resources and capabilities add value and rarity for Gap?

Rubric

Read the rubric on the program page carefully as it outlines what criteria your assessment will be evaluated
on.

Webinar

We will discuss the assessment in more detail during the webinar this week. You will have an opportunity to
ask questions then. In the next step, you can post questions around the assessment as your pre-webinar
activity.

https://services.hbsp.harvard.edu/services/proxy/content/77284697/77284699/6559bcf78b1025d94f494b7e40dd6538

Assessment Information
• Date: Wednesday 21st March (6-8pm AEDT)

• Venue: Refer to the webinar link on the program page

Useful Resources

• Key article that introduces you to the theoretical model used in this assessment:

o IT Portfolio framework – Weill, P., and Aral, S. (2006). Generating Premium Returns on Your
IT Investments, MIT Sloan Management Review, 47:2, pp 39-48.

o Barney, J. (2012). Evaluating the firm’s internal capabilities, Strategic management and
competitive advantage: concepts, 4th Ed, Pearson (Boston)

• Tips and resources on report writing

Report format

Due to the tight word limit, you should use tables wherever appropriate in your responses. Any table entries
that need further explanation should be provided underneath the table.

Refer to the sample report template is on the program page under Assessment 1 Template and should be used
for your assessment. The report should contain the following sections:

• Responses to Tasks 1 – 2

• List of references

• Appendices (if required)

Turnitin

Students are required to check originality through Turnitin, prior to submitting the final assessment. To check
the originality of your work, you will be provided with an opportunity to review your work and submit your
draft within the course.

To view a quick guide on using Turnitin this resource will help you and includes a short video on using Turnitin
and accessing the feedback on your assessment.

Submission Details

Your assignment is to be submitted via the FutureLearn link (Submission link is published in Course 3 Week 1).
Please upload one document only. Name your file with the following information: Unit Code Year Trimester
Assignment Number Your Name Student ID e.g. MMP713_2017T2_Assign1_StudentMary_12345678

When submitting electronically, you must check that you have submitted the work correctly by following the
instructions provided in FutureLearn. Please note that hard copies or copies via email will NOT be accepted or
part of the assignment submitted after the deadline or via Email. If the assignment is submitted late, we will
apply penalty deductions of the assignment mark.

For further details support on how to present a report access the Academic skills report writing page.

Extension requests

No extensions will be considered for this assessment unless a written request is submitted and negotiated
with the Unit Chair at least 48 hours before the due date. It is student’s responsibility to keep backups of the
assignment.

Special consideration

You may be eligible for special consideration if circumstances beyond your control prevent you from
undertaking or completing an assessment task at the scheduled time.
See the following link for advice on the application process:
http://www.deakin.edu.au/students/studying/assessment-and-results/special-consideration

http://web.mit.edu/sinana/www/SMR

http://web.mit.edu/sinana/www/SMR

https://deakin.rl.talis.com/items/1F452DD2-075B-FB79-66AE-C68AB4C1E685.html

http://www.deakin.edu.au/students/studying/study-support/academic-skills/report-writing

http://www.deakin.edu.au/students/studying/study-support/academic-skills/report-writing

http://www.deakin.edu.au/students/studying/assessment-and-results/special-consideration

Assessment Information

Feedback prior to submission

Students are able to seek assistance from the teaching staff to ascertain whether the assignment conforms to
submission guidelines. Questions need to be formulated in writing as the teaching staff will not read parts of
the assignment prior to submission.

Feedback after submission

Your assignment feedback will be returned in a rubric via FutureLearn with an overall mark together with
comments.

Referencing

You must correctly use the Harvard referencing system in this assessment. See the Deakin referencing guide.

Academic integrity, plagiarism and collusion

Academic misconduct and plagiarism is subjected to penalties. Plagiarism includes and not limited to:

• Copying others’ work without appropriate referencing

• Re-using assignment material completed by other students

• Contracting others to do assessment tasks on your behalf

Plagiarism and collusion constitute extremely serious breaches of academic integrity. They are forms of
cheating, and severe penalties are associated with them, including cancellation of marks for a specific
assignment, for a specific unit or even exclusion from the course. If you are ever in doubt about how to
properly use and cite a source of information refer to the referencing site above.

Plagiarism occurs when a student passes off as the student’s own work, or copies without acknowledgement
as to its authorship, the work of any other person or resubmits their own work from a previous assessment
task.

Collusion occurs when a student obtains the agreement of another person for a fraudulent purpose, with the
intent of obtaining an advantage in submitting an assignment or other work.

Work submitted may be reproduced and/or communicated by the university for the purpose of assuring
academic integrity of submissions: https://www.deakin.edu.au/students/study-
support/referencing/academic-integrity

FAQs

Where can we find a summary for the assessment?

All details are provided in this document and in week 2 course 1, the assessment is released formally in
FutureLearn with all details and links.

Are we meant to follow the template exactly or do we include an introduction, conclusion etc.?
That is your choice. It is preferred that you use tabular format for Q1a however the rest can be up to you.

Are we meant to reference every individual item in the tables?

Referencing is only needed when you make a claim and content from the case study does not need any
reference.

Is the word count of 1500 a hard limit or just a recommendation?

A word limit is a limit 1500 words plus/minus 10% variance.

Do words in a table count towards the 1500-word limit?

Yes, it does count!

How accurate do we need to be with our listings of the asset?

http://www.deakin.edu.au/students/studying/study-support/referencing/harvard

https://www.deakin.edu.au/students/studying/study-support/referencing

http://www.deakin.edu.au/students/studying/assessment-and-results/misconduct

https://www.deakin.edu.au/students/study-support/referencing/academic-integrity

https://www.deakin.edu.au/students/study-support/referencing/academic-integrity

Assessment Information
The asset identification is an open task. You need to identify the assets mentioned in the case (and yes, the
naming of the asset is not that important!). If the case does not explicitly state the asset, you can make
assumptions and include it (e.g. HR systems, payroll etc.).
How accurate do we need to be with our listings of the resources and capabilities?
The case does illustrate in detail its resources and capabilities. Hence, the expectation is that you will use the
resources and capabilities mentioned in the case. However, if the case does not explicitly state some of the
categories of resources and capabilities, you can make assumptions and include it (e.g. norms and values of
Gap)

If I have any questions about the assessment task, where should I post my question?

You are encouraged in the first instance to post questions in the FutureLearn Step that introduces the
assignment (course 2, week 1, Step 1.2). You can also use the unit email to seek help from teaching team at
flmis782@deakin.edu.au. Please consult the FL step before you ask the same question. Don’t forget the
weekly live webinar/seminar class where you can ask questions along the way.

How can online students seek extra help?

For online students, extra drop-in consultation sessions will be conducted during the term in Blackboard
Collaborate on Thursdays between 7-8 pm (the same link you use to join the live webinar). These extra
sessions usually will run in weeks 3, 4 and 5. Please look at announcements in FL for further details.

mailto:flmis782@deakin.edu.au

MIS782: Value of Information
Assessment 1: IT Portfolio Theory
This document supplies detailed information on assessment tasks for this unit.
Key information
Assurance of Learning
Purpose
Instructions
Task 1:
Task 2:
Rubric
Webinar
Useful Resources
Report format
Turnitin
Submission Details
For further details support on how to present a report access the Academic skills report writing page.
Extension requests
Special consideration
Feedback prior to submission
Feedback after submission
Referencing
You must correctly use the Harvard referencing system in this assessment. See the Deakin referencing guide.
Academic integrity, plagiarism and collusion
FAQs
Where can we find a summary for the assessment?
Are we meant to reference every individual item in the tables?
Is the word count of 1500 a hard limit or just a recommendation?
Do words in a table count towards the 1500-word limit?
How accurate do we need to be with our listings of the asset?
If I have any questions about the assessment task, where should I post my question?
How can online students seek extra help?