MM398: Technology Advisory Practices

Module code: MM398

Module provider: Business Informatics, Systems and Accounting; Henley Business School

Credits: 20

Level: 6

When you'll be taught: Semester 1

Module convenor: Dr Nicholas Silburn, email: n.l.j.silburn@henley.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: No placement specified

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students:

Talis reading list:

Last updated: 19 November 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This module aims to develop the students’ ability to address complex business problems involving the use of technology and identify appropriate options and formulate recommendations. As a part of the module students will have the opportunity to work closely with a group of peers to apply technology advisory practices to a contemporary business case. They will be developing business and academic skills in a number of different areas relevant to advisory practices.

The module also aims to enable students to gain an understanding and practical application of engagement in technology advisory projects, and develop teamworking, project management, report writing and presentation skills.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. Exhibit the ability to identify and analyse complex business problems and technology trends through problem structuration, information and data collection, identification of options and presentation of final recommendations.
2. Exhibit the ability to work effectively within a team in problem solving and work to deadlines.
3. Appraise relevant theory and methodologies and their value in the development of evidence-driven and data-driven recommendations.
4. Demonstrate the ability to critically select appropriate methods and techniques for solving problems and devising IT solutions.
5. Demonstrate business related report writing and presentation skills.

Module content

The course will introduce students to the work done by practitioners working in this area and the associated theories, tools and method used. The course will look at the different dimensions of the advisory role and associated professional issues. This will include working environments within niche and global firms, which offer advisory services. Students will then apply learning points to case studies and real-world examples. Examples of topics covered include:

• Contextualising technology advisory services and how they add value
• Project evaluation and planning
• Relationships between technology and organisations
• Ethical and contextual issues associated with advisory practices
• Creative problem solving, analytical tools and frameworks
• Evaluating client capabilities and managing expectations
• Team working and project management
• Consultancy report writing and presentation work

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

The module is structured around weekly themes related to technology advisory practices, and includes a combination of lectures with additional supporting screencasts; seminars focused on materials relevant to the theme; and workshops covering various practical topics and ongoing feedback and Q&A on business plan and consultancy project progress.

Practical experience of advising is gained by group work.  In weeks 1 to 4 students, in groups, create a start-up business and formulate a business plan and day-to-day operations strategy.  From week 5 to 11 each group then becomes technology advisors to another group and develop a consultancy report and presentation to provide options and recommendations to solve a technology-related issue identified by the client organisation.

Study hours

At least 30 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

• Team charter 
• Draft group business plan 

Reassessment

Additional costs