Entry requirements

90 credits in information systems or the equivalent.

Learning outcomes

In terms of knowledge and understanding, after completing the course the student should be able to:

• account for digital innovation, system design and systems development methods,
• account for the role of problem solving and conceptual models in innovation design, and systems development work,
• account for the role of strategy in innovation, design, and systems development work,
• account for the benefits and trade-offs involved in different platform, infrastructure, and collaboration forms,
• account for the role of knowledge and data in digital innovation, design and systems development work,
• explain, using different ethical perspectives, how to evaluate a particular digital innovation or design.

In terms of skills and abilities, after completing the course the student should be able to:

• plan, structure and carry out a project related to digital innovation, design and systems development in a group,
• create a conceptual model around an existing or proposed digital innovation or design,
• consider business/organisational needs, technical constraints, and legal/ethical concerns during digital innovation, design and systems development work.

In terms of judgement and approach, after completing the course the student should be able to:

• evaluate different design alternatives based upon conceptual models and requirements specifications,
• evaluate different digital innovation models and systems development approaches and make recommendations according to given criteria,
• evaluate and address the legal and ethical implications of different designs.

Content

This course provides insight into how digital practices and systems can be designed based on the needs of an organisation, including business and operational needs. Central to this process are digital innovation, design, and subsequent systems development. Here, we take a systems view to encompass technical implementations of social systems. Digital innovation, design, and development work is both informed by, and impacts, individuals, work processes, organisational activities, and even societies. This course therefore builds on the understanding within digital innovation scholarship that digital innovation, design, and development project occurs at the intersection of IT development and problem-solving within a social context.

The course introduces the latest research in information systems and strategy, including theoretical models and digital innovation, design and systems development approaches. It explores the relevance and applicability of emerging technologies for solving organisational and societal problems. It introduces students to legal and ethical considerations of relevance when designing and maintaining digital innovations.

The course also makes use of applied project management and group work. Both research and practical work in the field of information systems usually involve project-based group work, so the course aims to build a common foundation and approach for students with varied backgrounds.

Instruction

Lectures, seminars, and supervision.

Assessment

Seminars, presentations, a written exam, and group project work.

If there are special reasons for doing so, an examiner may make an exception from the method of assessment indicated and allow a student to be assessed by another method. An example of special reasons might be a certificate regarding special pedagogical support from the University's disability coordinator or a decision by the department's working group for study matters.