Management and the Technology Professional – B302

Academic year 2007/8


"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit."
    – by Aristotle


Objectives
The unit develops student awareness and techniques for handling common management issues found in professional workplaces.

1. Plan and manage technical projects of complexity similar to independent university student projects or entry level work projects.
2. Identify and evaluate alternative solutions for some common management issues.
3. Select and explain a course of action in response to some common management issues.

Assessments
Reflection and application of the unit objectives will be assessed through a series of coursework assignments and a final examination. Coursework and examination all use the case study question format. A list of resources for study and coursework is available online.

1. The coursework is a series of answers to assigned case studies that contributes 30% to the unit mark. . Answers are submitted using the Mosaic website.
   • Case study – Development of the Sony BMG music CD rootkit
     • Sample answer and summary of results are available online.
   • Case study – Critical path analysis of semiconductor manufacturing at Intel
     • Summary of results are available online.
   • Case study – Investment analysis at Yahoo during Microsoft acquisition proposal
     • Summary of results are available online.
2. 90 minutes final examination that contributes 70% to the unit mark.
   • Sample exam using coursework questions (PDF file)
   • 2007/8 final exam (PDF file)
     • Summary of results are available online.

Syllabus Topics

1. Concepts of ethics and management.
   • Notes from 12 Feb
2. Issues with managing individuals, with emphasis on personal ethics and professional codes of conduct.
   • Case study – The cost of protecting personal data
   • Sample answer for the HMRC case study
   • Case study – Theft of AOL membership data
   • Notes from 18, 19 and 22 Feb
3. Issues with managing work, with emphasis on project planning, critical path analysis and the decision making process.
   • Notes from 25 and 26 Feb
4. Issues with managing business activities, with emphasis on cashflow analysis, investment analysis, product development and brand development.
   • Notes from 29 Feb, 3 Mar and 4 Mar
5. Issues with organizational development, with emphasis on intellectual property, business models, organisational cultures and strategic partnerships.
   • Case study – Developing a new feature at Photobox

Teaching Plan

• Lectures during the week will introduce syllabus topics and set the context for related case studies.
• Part of the lecture sessions will be used for small group discussion of coursework assignments and case studies.
• Feedback on marked coursework will also be provided during the small group discussion.
• A list of resources for study and coursework is available online and updated during the semester.

The unit lecturer is Chi Nguyen.