IOM 538: IT Strategy
Syllabus & Course Design
Summer 2000 – Term 002
©1999, Michael A. Mische
IOM 538: Information Technology Strategy
INTRODUCTION
Welcome to IOM 538… Summer 2000 Semester
This syllabus is designed to provide you with a thorough overview
of the course, its structure and content.
Here, you will find information about the grading policies and
requirements for the course as well as the general class format
and structure.
The syllabus also describes the overall objectives of the course
and my performance expectations of you as MBA candidates.
The syllabus is quite comprehensive, so take a few minutes to
familiarize yourself with its content.
In addition to the syllabus, the class folder “IOM 538, Mische” on
First Class is indispensable… check it daily for updates,
announcements, case questions, etc.
©2000, Michael A. Mische
IOM 538: Information Technology Strategy
WELCOME TO IOM 538!
I am pleased that you have selected this class. This is an exciting and valuable
class, especially if you are considering a career in management consulting or IT.
The class is updated each semester and adjusted based on the latest industry
developments, feedback from former students who are now working in the field
as well as input from my faculty colleagues and clients.
The class makes an extensive use of cases and various readings… there is no
“standard” text for this class… so buy the reader and use it.
The objective of this class is to get you think as an IT strategist. IT strategy is
an imperfect process, each client and case are different. If you are looking for a
standard formula, canned approaches and easy solutions… you won’t find them
in this class.
This class is highly interactive… be prepared for discussion, debate, constructive
confrontation and lots of challenges. If you are uncomfortable with those
activities you might find this course to be more challenging than what you might
like.
During the course of the semester, you will be exposed to a variety of readings,
materials and cases. Take advantage of these and use them to improve your
understanding of the strategic implications of IT.
©2000, Michael A. Mische
IOM 538: Information Technology Strategy
SUGGESTED PREREQUISITES & SKILLS…
This is not a remedial or introductory course in IT. This is not a
course in programming, software selection or systems
implementation. It is a strategy class.
Although not required, you may find this class difficult and rather
frustrating if you lack the following:
–
Knowledge of business and general business strategy
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Basic course in IT or MIS and an understanding how IT works
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Basic understanding of IT/IS terms and definitions
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The ability to think in abstract terms
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The ability to identify and work with patterns
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Analytical and case analysis skills
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PowerPoint and public presentation skills
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Discussion skills and the confidence to speak in class
If you have problems come see me… but I cannot tutor you in the
basics.
©2000, Michael A. Mische
IOM 538: Information Technology Strategy
ABOUT YOUR PROFESSOR…
My name is Professor Michael Mische. Please call me Mike or Michael and please feel free to get to
know me. I am available, but I travel extensively and spend much time with clients, so please be
patient and coordinate with my assistant.
I have twenty-two years of consulting experience and have been a national partner and practice
leader for two major consulting firms.
I am an Adjunct Professor and teach only part-time. My other job is as a management consultant.
I am the CEO of a firm, I write books and am also on the BOD of several Internet start-ups.
My office is temporarily located at 401L Bridge Hall. My office hours are Mondays and Tuesdays
from 5PM to 6PM.
My email is mische@bus.usc.edu… use it to contact me.
My home telephone number is 310.823.0715… feel free to call, but not after 10PM and not from
jail. Do not call me at USC or leave me a voice mail at USC!
Please do not leave the same voice message on multiple numbers or lines… help make my life less
complicated… leave it only once.
My personal interests are skiing, USC and Penn State football and tennis.
©2000, Michael A. Mische
IOM 538: Information Technology Strategy
IOM 538 COURSE OBJECTIVES…
IOM 538 is designed as an “advanced” strategy course for IT. It is taught from a pragmatic
perspective with a heavy emphasis on CEO issues as related to IT. The course is not about the
nuances of technology, database design, using your PC, programming or systems analysis or
whether SAP is better than PeopleSoft.
The objective of this course is to help you develop the skills to “think as a strategist.” At the
conclusion of the course you will have a foundation for thinking about IT as a strategic asset,
understanding the big CEO issues as related to IT, planning for the use of IT, assessing IT in a
strategic context and developing the IT plan.
The course is designed to satisfy a number of learning objectives by addressing significant IT
issues and trends, including but not limited to:.
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–
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Understanding how IT can create strategic advantage for a company
Assessing IT issues and trends in a strategic context
Understanding the strategic implications of e.business on an organization and overall market dynamics
Strategic planning for IT and developing the IT plan
Assessing organizational IT performance
Understanding how data mining and systems integration support organizational effectiveness and process
design
Understanding the role of outsourcing in IT strategy
Other objectives include, but are not limited to:
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©2000, Michael A. Mische
Gaining exposure to major IT strategic concepts through various cases
Improving your IT knowledge and awareness through readings
Increasing your presentation and communication skills through classroom interactions
IOM 538: Information Technology Strategy
COURSE GRADING CRITERIA & COMPONENTS…
Grades are based on a combination of four criteria:
Grade Component:
Weight:
Date:
•
In-Class Midterm:
– Multiple choice questions
– Short answer: case questions
40%
6/27/00
•
Quiz 1: MC Questions
20%
6/13/00
•
Quiz 2: MC Questions
30%
8/1/00
•
Class Participation
– Lecture Attendance
– Class Activity
10%
All Term
TOTAL CLASS:
100%
©2000, Michael A. Mische
IOM 538: Information Technology Strategy
GRADING: GUIDELINES…CLOSE-UP
• Midterm Examination:
– 30-40 multiple choice questions (60%):
assigned readings
lecture material
– 2-4 short-answer questions (40% total):
• Quizzes (open book):
case – TBD
assigned readings
lecture material
class case discussions
©2000, Michael A. Mische
IOM 538: Information Technology Strategy
GRADING: GUIDELINES…CLOSE-UP
• Course Participation
– Attendance:
40% of participation grade
• Class roll taken by 7pm each session
• One (1) unexcused absence allowed per semester
• Each additional absence will result in a 1/3 letter grade decrease for
class attendance grade
– Class Activity:
60% of participation grade
• Graded each session on a scale of 4.0-0.0:
– 4 = repeatedly induced discussion, raised challenging issues/question,
challenged claims, demonstrated analytical/logical reasoning, provided new
insight and perspective, contributed to class, demonstrated leadership
– 3 = frequently engaged in class discussion, demonstrated knowledge of
material and preparedness
– 2 = occasionally participated in discussion, provided average insight
– 1 = answer when called on, lacking initiative
– 0 = failed to contribute and/or engage in discussion, answer and/or raise
questions
• Self-evaluation cards (signed index cards) collected after each class
©2000, Michael A. Mische
IOM 538: Information Technology Strategy
COURSE ADMINISTRATION & RECORD KEEPING…
• Grading and Grade Records
–
Cases, quizzes and exams are graded “blind” using only the last four digits of
your social security number. On all homework, exams, quizzes, etc. use only
the last four digits of your SSN. Place the SSN on each page of the exam or
homework. This improves security and mitigates any personal bias in grading.
–
I do not maintain the grade records…my assistant does that. I do not
maintain the file that maps your name to your SSN..my assistant does that.
This improves security and mitigates any knowledge bias.
–
You participate in grading through active classroom participation and
performance on exams, cases, etc. You earn your own grade, so act
accordingly.
• Assistant
–
The assistant for this class is Ms. Karolina Bakalarova. Karolina is a full-time
consultant with Synergy Consulting Group and a graduate of USC. She has
been a TA for this course for four semesters, so she rather familiar with the
subject matter, content and design of the course.
–
Use FirstClass it to communicate with Karolina.
©2000, Michael A. Mische
IOM 538: Information Technology Strategy
ASSIGNMENT & EXAMINATION POLICIES & RULES…
•
Assignments:
– No email or fax submissions – HARD COPIES ONLY!
– No late submissions – ALL ASSIGNMENTS DUE IN CLASS!
– No second chances – NO RE-WRITES, MAKE-UPS, ETC.!
•
Midterm & Quizzes:
– No make-up dates – ALL TESTS MUST BE TAKEN DURING THE
SCHEDULED CLASS SESSIONS!
– No second chances – NO RE-WRITES, MAKE-UPS, ETC.!
– You may dispute your grade for up to 2 weeks after receiving your
score. IF AN ERROR OR MISUNDERSTANDING OCCURS, COME
FORWARD IMMEDIATELY!
– Missing a test (a quiz or the exam) will result in a score of 0 pts
for the test!
– There will be one make-up quiz at the end of the semester for
previously approved cases, if valid excuse. The quiz will be given
on a Saturday (the exact date will be determined in class) and
administered by an assigned staff member.
©2000, Michael A. Mische
IOM 538: Information Technology Strategy
POLICIES & RULES…
•
Grades:
– Do not email either Dana or me requesting your grades
– Grades will only be given out in class, unless I post them in the
course folder
– Homework, exams, quizzes, assignments, etc., will only be
distributed in class… do not ask me or Dana to fax, FedEx or use
any other means to deliver them to you.
•
Class Etiquette
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–
–
–
–
–
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©2000, Michael A. Mische
Respect your fellow classmates and exhort them to participate
Turn off your cell phones and pagers
Do not surf the net or email while I am lecturing
Feel free to ask questions, challenge points, raise an argument…
at any time
If you are late… try to be quite when you enter the room
If you are eating… be mindful that others have not
If you are bored… you are invited to leave
Finally, leave your attitude on the 110 and come to class with a
sense of humor
IOM 538: Information Technology Strategy
POLICIES & RULES…
•
Lecture Materials and Slides:
– Generally, slides will be available for each lecture
– Slides will be available in the class folder on First Class
– Slides will be posted before class, sometimes days ahead,
sometimes right before class… it depends on the content as I am
constantly updating the subject matter
– File sizes for slides are large, be considerate of the timing and
effort that goes into making them and into downloading them
– You are responsible for downloading and printing your own slides
– Slides are available in PPT format under Office 2000… do not ask
us to reformat them or convert them to something else
•
Important…enjoy this class, take risks and speak-up,
experiment with your learning. In this class, you will never be
downgraded for being wrong or for trying… this is the forum
to make mistakes and learn… this is the forum to get better.
©2000, Michael A. Mische
IOM 538: Information Technology Strategy
CLASS AGENDA: TYPICAL CLASS (subject to change)
I.
6:00 – 6:15
Course related Q&A
Student concerns
General discussions
II.
6:15 – 6:30
Review of previous lecture material
Preview of current lecture material
II.
6:30 – 7:30
Lecture
III. 7:30 – 7:45
Break
IV. 7:45 – 8:45
Lecture & material/topic discussion
V.
Case discussion & questions
8:45 – 10:00
a)
b)
8:45 – 9:15 Break-out groups*
9:15 – 10:00 Class discussion
*groups will be assigned during the first session
©2000, Michael A. Mische
IOM 538: Information Technology Strategy
FINALLY… ALL THINGS CHANGE
I will try to make this course exciting and challenging.
•
Based on your collective performance and if, in my
opinion, the course syllabus, assignments, grading
criteria and weightings, course schedule and content,
reading materials, etc. need to be changed, I will
change them.
•
I will discuss all changes with you, as a class, and
frequently ask for a vote… the majority rules in those
instances.
•
I make changes that I believe are in your best interests
as students and prospective users of the material.
©2000, Michael A. Mische
COURSE ASSIGNMENTS
AND
READINGS
Summer 2000 – Term 002
©1999, Michael A. Mische
IOM 538: Information Technology Strategy
Course Calendar and Schedule
•
Course Calendar
Week of:
– Semester Begins:
17 May 2000
– Memorial Day:
29 May, 2000
– Quiz No. 1:
13 June 2000
– Mid-term Exam:
27 June 2000
– Independence Day:
3-4 July 2000
– Quiz No. 2:
1 August 2000
– Semester Ends:
2 August 2000
– Grades Posted:
Per USC Calendar
©2000, Michael A. Mische
IOM 538: Information Technology Strategy
COURSE TOPICS AND CALENDAR…
Session
Date
Topic
1
5/23
Course Introduction and Overview
2
5/30
Overview of IT Strategy
3
6/6
Strategic Planning Methods and Analysis
4
6/13
Strategic Issues in IT Organizational Performance
Quiz No. 1
5
6/20
Strategic Outsourcing of IT
6
6/27
Mid-term Examination (In-class, Proctored)
-
7/4
University Holiday: Independence Day
7
7/11
Knowledge Management and KMP
8
7/18
Strategic Implications of ERP and Integration
9
7/25
Strategies for e.business
Course Summary and Wrap-up
10
©2000, Michael A. Mische
8/1
Quiz No. 2
IOM 538: Information Technology Strategy
READING ASSIGNMENTS…
Session
Date
1.
5/23
2.
5/30
3.
6/6
•
6/13
5.
6/20
©2000, Michael A. Mische
Readings
Drucker: “The Coming of the New Organization”
Parsons: “Information Technology: A New Competitive Weapon”
Cash, Knosynski: “IS Redraws Competitive Boundaries”
Griffith: “Making Information Technology Strategic”
Hitt, Brynjolfsson: “Productivity, Business Profitability, and Consumer Surplus”
Mische: “Transnational IT Architecture”
Venkatraman: “IT-Enabled Business Transformation”
Markus, Benjamin: “The Magic Bullet Theory”
Buss: “How to Rank Computer Projects”
Mische: “Defining Systems Integration”
Mische: “The Systems Integration Life Cycle”
Mische: “IT Work Plan”
McFarlan, McKenney, Pyburn: “The Information Archipelago – Plotting a Course”
Mische: “The High-Performance IT Organization”
Dvorak, Holen, Mark, Meehan: “Six Principles of High-Performance IT”
Feeny, Willcocks: “Core IS Capabilities for Exploiting IT”
Tan: “IT Management Plateaus”
Lacity, Willcocks, Feeny: “IT Outsourcing: Maximize Flexibility and Control”
Zellner: “The Promised Land for Outsourcing”
Schwyn: “How to Approach IT Outsourcing”
DiRomualdo, Gurbaxani: “Strategic Intent for IT Outsourcing”
Antonucci, Lordi, Tucker: “The Pros and Cons of IT Outsourcing”
Cross: “IT Outsourcing: BP’s Competitive Approach”
IOM 538: Information Technology Strategy
READING ASSIGNMENTS…
Session
Date
Readings
6.
6/27
Midterm & Independence Day – No Reading Assignments
7.
7/11
TBD
8.
7/18
Escalle, Cotteleer: “Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)”
Plotkin: “ERPs: How to Make Them Work”
Winslow: “How New Technology Was Oxford’s Nemesis”
WSJ, Hershey and Gore-Tex articles
Prather: “Do’s and Don’ts of Software Selection”
Mische: “Symptoms of the Terminally Ill Systems Integration Projects”
Martin: “Smart Managing”
Kirkpatrick: “The E-Ware War”
Brown: “VF Corp. Changes Its Underware”
9.
7/25
Hof: “What Every CEO Needs to Know About Electronic Business”
Bamford: “Internet-Based Electronic Commerce in 1997”
Stauffer: “Sales Strategies for the Internet Age”
Malone, Laubacher: “The Dawn of the E-Lance Economy”
Hamel, Sampler: “The E-Corporation”
Crockett: “A Web That Looks Like the World”
Hamm, Stepanek: “From Reengineering to E-Engineering”
The Economist, “The Future of Computing”
10.
©2000, Michael A. Mische
8/1
No Reading Assignments
IOM 538: Information Technology Strategy
CASE ASSIGNMENTS…
Session
Date
Case
1.
5/23
Course Intro & “CAM”: No Case
2.
5/30
Merv Griffin Resorts
3.
6/6
Mrs. Field’s Cookies
4.
6/13
The System That Couldn’t Deliver
5.
6/20
Union Bank of Switzerland
State Street Bank
6.
6/27
Midterm Exam
7.
7/11
KPMG Peat Marwick: The Shadow Partner
8.
7/18
Cisco Systems
Tektronix, Inc.
9.
7/25
www.springs.com
Charles Schwab Corporation
9.
©2000, Michael A. Mische
8/1
No Case