Case
Study, Stage 3: IT Considerations for Proposed Technology Solution
Before
you begin this assignment, be sure you have read the “ Haircuts Case Study,”
the Stage 1 and Stage 2 projects, the “Walmart Example” and the feedback
from previous assignments.
Purpose of this Assignment
This
assignment gives you the opportunity to apply your knowledge of the areas to be
considered in planning and implementing a technology solution. This assignment
specifically addresses the following course outcomes to enable you to:
- analyze
internal and external business processes to identify information systems
requirements - identify
and plan IT solutions that meet business objectives.
IT Considerations for Proposed
Technology Solution
For your Stage 2 Project, you proposed a
technology solution to improve a business process at the Haircuts business. In evaluating and implementing an IT
proposal, there are several areas that need to be considered. These considerations are listed in the table
provided below in this assignment.
Depending on the specific technology solution you proposed, some of the
considerations would be more important than others and some may not need
specific consideration for the initial implementation of your proposed solution. (If a consideration is not relevant for the
solution as described or for its implementation, but might be something for the
future, mark it “N/A”. If for instance
cloud computing is not in the solution being implemented, but may be considered
in the future it would be N/A and not required for the solution. Please note that even N/A items require an
explanation.) The responses that you
enter into the table for each consideration must be aligned to the one specific
solution you proposed and appropriate to the Haircuts business.
Assignment
Using the technology solution you
proposed in Stage 2, you should briefly explain it and then copy the table
below and complete the remaining two columns. For each area of consideration, you should
rank it as high, medium, low, or N/A (Not Applicable) in importance or
relevance at time of implementation (and not some time in the future) for the
specific technology solution you proposed for Haircuts. Then, provide a brief explanation, a minimum
of two sentences for each, to justify that ranking or the N/A. Do not try to create a reason if there is
none, but carefully analyze each consideration and determine whether it applies
and how. Explanations must provide
enough information to convey the reasoning behind the ranking. DO NOT
copy definitions into the table; your own words should demonstrate your
understanding of the concept as you provide your explanation for the
ranking. Use the Grading Rubric to be sure you have covered everything. Submit your paper with answers to parts 1 and
2 below as a Microsoft Word document (or in a Word compatible document) with
your last name included in the filename.
Part
1:Briefly explain your proposed
technology solution. Identify what the
solution is, what it is expected to do for Haircuts, and what major
hardware, software and communications components will be used, summarizing the
information you provided for Stage 2. Also,
please include the information that you provided at the end of Stage 1 (with
any modifications recommended by the professor) at the top of your paper:
Generic Strategy:
Strategic Business Area:
Process to be improved:
Part
2:
Table of IT Considerations. The
Areas for consideration are defined in the section “Concepts” which follows the
table of considerations below. An
example for one entry is also provided.
Click on the upper left corner of the table to copy it into your paper.
