COMP3001 - Technology Management and Professional Issues

Note: Whilst every effort is made to keep the syllabus and assessment records correct, the precise details must be checked with the lecturer(s).
Code
COMP3001
Year
3
Prerequisites
Term
1
Taught By
Graham Collins (Dept of MS&I) (33%)
Dean Mohamedally & Graham Roberts (Computer Science) (33%)
Hugh Varilly (Computer Science) (33%)
Aims
To develop an understanding of the issues that impinge on the management of computer technology systems and organisations, to provide an overview of the professional and ethical issues arising in the use, implementation, operation and monitoring of such systems and organisations, and the key management skills required in their effective utilisation and operation. To gain knowledge of a range of more advanced software engineering concepts needed to effectively develop and manage larger software systems
Learning Outcomes
A sensitive appreciation of the key professional, ethical and management issues. The ability to access the appropriate technical, legal, professional, business and management literature. The ability to construct simple models of such systems and organistions and to use them to analyse their behaviour. A broader knowledge of software engineering principles and strategies, and how they can be applied to design systems.

Content:

Introduction to Technological Systems and Organisations
A Systems Approach to Management and Organisation
Management Aims and Objectives
Whole System/Organisation Viewpoint
Characteristics of Systems and Organisations
System View of Behaviour
Performance Optimisation
Managing Change
Professional Issues
Professional Bodies
Membership and Accreditation
Legal Issues
Contracts and Liability
Licences and IPR
Security and Privacy
Ethical Issues
Professional Codes
Individual, Professional, Contractual, and Societal Responsibilities
Advanced Software Engineering Concepts

Software Architecture, Design Patterns, Testing, Model Driven Architecture (MDA)

Applying Software Engineering
Agile Development
Risk Management
Inspections and Code Reviews
Project Management
Project Initiation
Need
Organisational Decision Making
Project Proposal
Skills of a Project Manager
Leadership
Team Organisation
Motivation
Resource Planning
Planning
Scheduling
Estimating
Performance Measurement

Method of Instruction:

Lectures, tutorials and readings supported by three assessed coursework assignments and a group-based discussion of ethical issues.

Assessment:

The course has the following assessment components:

  • Written Examination (2.5 hours 60%)
  • Coursework (40%)

To pass this course, students must:

  • Obtain an overall pass mark of 40% for all sections combined

The examination rubric is:
Answer three questions, at least one (out of 2) from

each of sections A, B and C. All questions carry equal marks.

Resources:

Sara Baase: A Gift of Fire

Robert Ayres: The Essence of Professional Issues in Computing

Frank Bott: Professional Issues in Information Technology

Stephen Fishman: Software Development: A Legal Guide

Steve Fineman and Yiannis Gabriel: Experiencing

Organizations

Brealey and Myers: Principles of Corporate

Finance

John Kay: Foundations for Corporate Success

Mintzberg and Quinn: The Strategy Process

Lucy Suchman: Plans and Situated Actions

Henry Mintzberg: The Nature of Managerial

Work

Rosemary Stewart: Managerial Work

Charles Handy: Understanding Organisations

Gareth Morgan: Images of Organisation

Henry Mintzberg: Structure in Fives

David Farbey: How to Produce Successful

Advertising

Michael Earl: Management Strategies for

Information Technology

Shoshana Zuboff: In the Age of the Smart

Machine

Donald Teale, Successful Project Risk Management in a Week

 
This page was last modified on 12 September, 2012 and is maintained by Nicola Alexander