CQUniversity Unit Profile
COIT20251 Knowledge Audits for Business Analysis
Knowledge Audits for Business Analysis
All details in this unit profile for COIT20251 have been officially approved by CQUniversity and represent a learning partnership between the University and you (our student).
The information will not be changed unless absolutely necessary and any change will be clearly indicated by an approved correction included in the profile.
General Information

Overview

In this unit, you will explore elicitation tools and techniques to identify, develop, model and report the requirements specification required to implement an enterprise system. You will see how knowledge audits lead to the identification of knowledge gatekeepers who are internal and external to an organisation. This unit is a key element in the development of business analysis skills in students. Note: If you have completed COIT20238 or COIS20077 then you cannot take this unit.

Details

Career Level: Postgraduate
Unit Level: Level 9
Credit Points: 6
Student Contribution Band: 8
Fraction of Full-Time Student Load: 0.125

Pre-requisites or Co-requisites

Prerequisites: COIT20250 e-Business Systems and COIT20249 Professional Skills in ICT

Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).

Offerings For Term 2 - 2017

Brisbane
Distance
Melbourne
Rockhampton
Sydney

Attendance Requirements

All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes – in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).

Class and Assessment Overview

Recommended Student Time Commitment

Each 6-credit Postgraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.

Class Timetable

Bundaberg, Cairns, Emerald, Gladstone, Mackay, Rockhampton, Townsville
Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney

Assessment Overview

1. Written Assessment
Weighting: 30%
2. Portfolio
Weighting: 30%
3. Practical and Written Assessment
Weighting: 40%

Assessment Grading

This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of ‘pass’ in order to pass the unit. If any ‘pass/fail’ tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully (‘pass’ grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the ‘assessment task’ section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University’s Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.

Previous Student Feedback

Feedback, Recommendations and Responses

Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.

Feedback from Students emails, phone calls and evaluation feedback. Staff feedback.

Feedback

Students could not understand why Mahara helps them and how they would benefit from its use. They saw it causing them more work to prepare when Mahara tends to have technical issues, as compared to their other units not using Mahara. They wish to submit each assignment in Word file format for marking in future.

Recommendation

Suggest to drop the use of Mahara in the two e-journal and e-portfolio assignments in this unit.

Unit Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
  1. Devise an appropriate and comprehensive knowledge audit plan to support business analysis requirements
  2. Apply the techniques of knowledge capture, knowledge codification and knowledge sharing (using appropriate technologies)
  3. Use appropriate modelling tools to interpret and analyse the business context for enterprise systems
  4. Critically review approaches to the implementation of enterprise systems within an organisation and any issues that may arise
  5. Appraise the ethical and professional issues relevant to a business analyst
  6. Effectively write and communicate enterprise systems specifications.

Australian Computer Society (ACS) recognises the Skills Framework for the Information Age (SFIA). SFIA is in use in over 100 countries and provides a widely used and consistent definition of ICT skills. SFIA is increasingly being used when developing job descriptions and role profiles.

ACS members can use the tool MySFIA to build a skills profile at https://www.acs.org.au/professionalrecognition/mysfia-b2c.html

This unit contributes to the following workplace skills as defined by SFIA. The SFIA codes is included:

  • Information Management (IRMG)
  • Research (RSCH)
  • Business Process Improvement (BPRE)
  • Business Analysis (BUAN)
  • Requirements Definition and Management (REQM)
  • Business Modelling (BSMO)
  • Change Implementation and Management (CIPM)
  • Stakeholder Relationship Management (RLMT)
  • Problem Management (PBMG)

Alignment of Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Graduate Attributes
N/A Level
Introductory Level
Intermediate Level
Graduate Level
Professional Level
Advanced Level

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes

Assessment Tasks Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4 5 6
1 - Written Assessment - 30%
2 - Portfolio - 30%
3 - Practical and Written Assessment - 40%

Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes

Graduate Attributes Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4 5 6
1 - Knowledge
2 - Communication
3 - Cognitive, technical and creative skills
4 - Research
5 - Self-management
6 - Ethical and Professional Responsibility
7 - Leadership
8 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes

Assessment Tasks Graduate Attributes
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
1 - Written Assessment - 30%
2 - Portfolio - 30%
3 - Practical and Written Assessment - 40%
Textbooks and Resources

Textbooks

Prescribed

Business Analysis

Edition: 3rd (2014)
Authors: Paul, D., Cadle, J., and Yeates, D.
BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT
London London , UK
ISBN: 9781780172774
Binding: Paperback
Supplementary

Business Analysis Techniques: 99 essential tools for success

Edition: 2nd (2014)
Authors: Cadle, J., Paul, D., and Turner, P.
BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT
London London , UK
ISBN: 9781780172736
Binding: Paperback

Additional Textbook Information

The text books can also be purchased as a downloadable e-books from the Kindle Store

IT Resources

You will need access to the following IT resources:
  • CQUniversity Student Email
  • Internet
  • Unit Website (Moodle)
  • Software: IHMC Cmap Tools http://cmap.ihmc.us
  • Software: Microsoft Visio
Referencing Style

All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Harvard (author-date)

For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.

Teaching Contacts
Lisa Soon Unit Coordinator
l.soon@cqu.edu.au
Schedule
Week 1 Begin Date: 10 Jul 2017

Module/Topic

The Role of the Business Analyst

Chapter

Chapters 1 & 2 Business Analysis Paul et al (2014, 3rd ed):

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 2 Begin Date: 17 Jul 2017

Module/Topic

Strategic Management

Chapter

Chapter 3 Business Analysis Paul et al (2014, 3rd ed):

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 3 Begin Date: 24 Jul 2017

Module/Topic

Creative Leadership and Knowledge

Chapter

Chapters 4 and 5 The Enterprise Business Analyst: Developing creative solutions to complex business problems Hass, K. (2011)

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 4 Begin Date: 31 Jul 2017

Module/Topic

Business Analysis Techniques

Chapter

Chapters 4 & 5 Business Analysis Paul et al (2014, 3rd ed):

Events and Submissions/Topic


Week 5 Begin Date: 07 Aug 2017

Module/Topic

Stakeholder Analysis and Management

Chapter

Chapter 6

Business Analysis Paul et al (2014, 3rd ed):

Events and Submissions/Topic

e-Journal Due: Week 5 Friday (11 Aug 2017) 11:45 pm AEST
Vacation Week Begin Date: 14 Aug 2017

Module/Topic

Chapter


Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 6 Begin Date: 21 Aug 2017

Module/Topic

What's the Real Problem?

Chapter

Chapters 8, 9 & 10 Business Analysis: Best Practices for Success Blais, Steven (2012)

Events and Submissions/Topic


Week 7 Begin Date: 28 Aug 2017

Module/Topic

Approaches to Business Analysis

Chapter

Chapters 7 & 8 Business Analysis Paul et al (2014, 3rd ed):

Events and Submissions/Topic


Week 8 Begin Date: 04 Sep 2017

Module/Topic

Talk! Talk! Talk!

Chapter

Chapters 5 & 15 Business Analysis: Best Practices for Success Blais, Steven (2012).

Events and Submissions/Topic



e-Portfolio Due: Week 8 Friday (8 Sept 2017) 11:45 pm AEST
Week 9 Begin Date: 11 Sep 2017

Module/Topic

Requirements Elicitation

Chapter

Chapter 10 Business Analysis Paul et al (2014, 3rd ed):

Events and Submissions/Topic


Week 10 Begin Date: 18 Sep 2017

Module/Topic

Documenting and Modelling Requirements to support Strategy

Chapter

Chapters 11 & 12 Business Analysis Paul et al (2014, 3rd ed):

Events and Submissions/Topic


Week 11 Begin Date: 25 Sep 2017

Module/Topic

Delivering the Requirements and Business Solution

Chapter

Chapters 13 & 14 Business Analysis Paul et al (2014, 3rd ed):

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 12 Begin Date: 02 Oct 2017

Module/Topic

Implementing Knowledge Management and Change

Chapter

Chapter 10, Jashapara (2011).

Events and Submissions/Topic



Group Case Study Report Due: Week 12 Wednesday (4 Oct 2017) 11:45 pm AEST
Review/Exam Week Begin Date: 09 Oct 2017

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Exam Week Begin Date: 16 Oct 2017

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Term Specific Information

Unit Coordinator: Dr Lisa Soon
Office Location: Level 1, 538 Flinders Street West Townsville QLD 4810
Phone: +61 07 4726 5317 Ext55317
Emai: l.soon@cqu.edu.au
Note: For all inquiries, please send me an email. For urgent matter, phone me whenever needed. If unavailable, please leave a voice message or email me.

Assessment Tasks

1 Written Assessment

Assessment Title
e-Journal

Task Description

In this assessment you will demonstrate an understanding of the core competences and skills required for a Business Analyst. You will also demonstrate your knowledge in use of tools and techniques for requirements elicitation and reporting. The required topics are covered during Weeks 1- 4. The submission of this assessment item. For the submission of this assessment item, you have to prepare an e-journal using the software tool Mahara, and create a standalone website putting contents in your journal entries into a Word file that contains all contents of your e-journal. Further details are available on the unit Moodle website in the Assignment 1 Specification document.


Assessment Due Date

Week 5 Friday (11 Aug 2017) 11:45 pm AEST


Return Date to Students

Two weeks after submission (Week 7)


Weighting
30%

Minimum mark or grade
25% of the overall mark for this assessment

Assessment Criteria

Each e-Journal entry will be assessed upon:

  1. Synopsis: quality of a summary of the journal entry
  2. Reflection: demonstration of understanding of each of the topics given in the Assessment Specification
  3. Critique: development and support of critical arguments of the practical application of knowledge and understanding


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
Submit one Word file with identical contents from Mahara using the submission link provided on the unit website. Your secret URL must be placed as an item in the assignment cover page for marking.

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Devise an appropriate and comprehensive knowledge audit plan to support business analysis requirements
  • Use appropriate modelling tools to interpret and analyse the business context for enterprise systems
  • Critically review approaches to the implementation of enterprise systems within an organisation and any issues that may arise
  • Appraise the ethical and professional issues relevant to a business analyst


Graduate Attributes
  • Knowledge
  • Communication
  • Cognitive, technical and creative skills
  • Research
  • Ethical and Professional Responsibility

2 Portfolio

Assessment Title
e-Portfolio

Task Description

In this assessment item, you will demonstrate your understanding and skills developed by learning the topics from Weeks 4 - 7, and more specifically techniques of knowledge capture, knowledge codification, and use of appropriate modelling tools. You will be preparing a portfolio in Mahara putting together your work meeting the requirements specified in the Assessment specification. You will be using the software tool Mahara to create your portfolio which allows progressive creation of the document. Submit your assessment in Week 8 as a Word file with identical contents from Mahara.



Assessment Due Date

Week 8 Friday (8 Sept 2017) 11:45 pm AEST


Return Date to Students

Week 10 Friday (22 Sept 2017)


Weighting
30%

Minimum mark or grade
25% of the overall mark for this assessment

Assessment Criteria

Each e-Portfolio will be assessed upon:

  1. Quality of description of business from the perspective a Business Analyst (BA), based on the given scenario.
  2. Development and support of arguments in relation to analysis and documentation of the business context
  3. Demonstration of comprehensive and detailed documentation of the main business processes and justification of the modeling tools used.
  4. Quality of presented conclusion supported by your findings


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
Submit one Word file with identical contents from Mahara using the submission link provided on the unit website. Your secret URL must be placed as an item in the assignment cover page for marking.

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Devise an appropriate and comprehensive knowledge audit plan to support business analysis requirements
  • Apply the techniques of knowledge capture, knowledge codification and knowledge sharing (using appropriate technologies)
  • Use appropriate modelling tools to interpret and analyse the business context for enterprise systems
  • Critically review approaches to the implementation of enterprise systems within an organisation and any issues that may arise
  • Appraise the ethical and professional issues relevant to a business analyst
  • Effectively write and communicate enterprise systems specifications.


Graduate Attributes
  • Knowledge
  • Communication
  • Cognitive, technical and creative skills
  • Self-management
  • Ethical and Professional Responsibility

3 Practical and Written Assessment

Assessment Title
Group Case Study Report

Task Description

You are required (as a group with up to four members) to write a report based on a given case study. In this report, you need to evaluate current business systems and processes and propose improvements for the given case study. You are required to demonstrate your analytical and modelling skills to communicate your findings from the case study. You are also required to conduct a self and peer assessment of the completed report and submit your assessment outcome.

Further details and case study are available on Moodle course website in the Assignment Specification document.


Assessment Due Date

Week 12 Wednesday (4 Oct 2017) 11:45 pm AEST


Return Date to Students

Assignment will be returned on the day of Certification of Grades


Weighting
40%

Assessment Criteria

The group case study report will be assessed upon:

  1. Professionalism in report presentation e.g. an effective title page, headers and footers, use of headings and sub-headings as appropriate.
  2. Quality of Executive summary
  3. Quality of introduction
  4. Demonstration of an articulate statement about current business processes and problems
  5. Critical analysis in the requirements of a new System
  6. Quality in the assessment of the feasibility of the new Business case
  7. Quality of a presented conclusion, supported by the related findings

The case study report is further assessed through the inclusions of in-text citations together with a list of correctly cited references, ordered alphabetically by surname of first author, in accordance with the Harvard style of referencing. Note: Refer to the unit website for the link to the guide.

Participation, contribution and collaboration in group work are assessed through the completion of an Self and Peer Assessment Online Survey by all group members


Referencing Style

Submission
Online Group

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Devise an appropriate and comprehensive knowledge audit plan to support business analysis requirements
  • Apply the techniques of knowledge capture, knowledge codification and knowledge sharing (using appropriate technologies)
  • Use appropriate modelling tools to interpret and analyse the business context for enterprise systems
  • Appraise the ethical and professional issues relevant to a business analyst
  • Effectively write and communicate enterprise systems specifications.


Graduate Attributes
  • Knowledge
  • Communication
  • Cognitive, technical and creative skills
  • Research
  • Self-management
  • Ethical and Professional Responsibility
  • Leadership

Academic Integrity Statement

As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.

Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.

When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.

Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.

As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.

What is a breach of academic integrity?

A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.

Why is academic integrity important?

A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.

Where can I get assistance?

For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.

What can you do to act with integrity?