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INFS7040

E-commerce for Managers


Semester 1 2016
Assignment: Business Case Report Project
Weighting:

25%

Due Date:

Friday, 11:59pm 13th May 2016


Presentations in Week 8 and Week 9

Description:
This project requires participants to work in teams to develop a business case report for a project of their
own choice. The project can be for a problem situation or opportunity for an organization with which team
member(s) have some prior experience: for example, an organization where a team member has worked.
Alternatively, the team could make contact with an organization that might have an opportunity for a new
ICT system, including not-for-profit organizations. If no organization can be found to work with, a team can
choose a project that is based on a hypothetical scenario. For example, a team might choose a real-life
organization that has an existing online presence, but the team can see some opportunity for them to offer
a new or improved service(s) to customers. The team could gather data about the real organization and
then make a hypothetical case for the need for a new system or service.
Each team will have 3-4 members. The team membership will be assigned by the course convenor.
Each project team should discuss what they are going to do with their tutor or course convenor before
beginning any detailed work.
The project will develop students abilities to:
(1) analyse a businesss current business model and use of information systems;
(2) identify key issues that might limit the businesss abilities to achieve their goals with respect to
information systems;
(3) propose an information system project to better achieve their goals; and
(4) justify the proposed project.

Requirements:
a) Business Case Report (20 marks)
Each team is to submit a Business Case Report that has high-level section headings as in the following table
(left-hand column). The right-hand column gives details of the information that should be included in each
section. You MUST use these section headings.
Section
Title page

Details

Give the name of the project proposed, the date, and the names of the
project team members.
Table of Contents
List of sections and appendices in the report.
Executive Summary
An abstract of the entire business case report.
1. Introduction
Introduce the business problem or opportunity, describe what has
happened in the past to address the problem/opportunity, and current
status. Set the scene for the development of the business case.
2. Overview

2.1 Vision
What is the goal of the project and what is it expected to deliver?
2.2 Organizational Objectives
What pre-defined goal of the organization does this proposal address? The
relationship between this project and the businesss strategic plan should
be described.
3. The Business Case
Why is the business case being prepared?
Who is the business case sponsor (who authorized it)? (For the purpose of
this assignment you can make any assumption you like here, if you do not
have a real case.)
4. Situational Assessment and Problem
Describe the relevant environmental conditions such as business
Statement
capabilities, organizational structure, people, organizational culture,
current information systems.
Analyse current situation and opportunities; e.g., with SWOT analysis.
A statement of how the business needs are being met or not met.
An analysis of the gap between the current situation and the businesss
objectives (gap analysis).
5. Assumptions and Constraints
Describe any assumptions or constraints made concerning the current
situation and/or future plans: e.g., any skills required, any constraints on
money or timing.
6. Identification and Analysis of Options
6.1 Identification of Options
List the options that were analysed.
For this assignment, include:
Option 1 base case, no major change from current situation;
Option 2 a project that will address the gap perceived.
6.1.1 Option 1 description
Brief description of the main components and functions of the current
system.
Benefits, dis-benefits, costs, risks, stakeholder impact, issues, other
criteria if any.
(Put detailed analysis of costs, benefits and risks in appendices. A cost-
benefit analysis using NPV should be included).
6.1.2 Option 2 Description
As for Option 1, except the system description will be for the new system
delivered in the project.
6.2 Comparison of Options
Summarize the advantages and disadvantages of the two options.
6.3 Recommended Option
Identify the recommended option from the previous analysis.
7. Implementation Strategy
A brief overview of how the project would be implemented, including
Milestones, Tasks and Deliverables.
8. Project Preparation
Who prepared the business case (names of the project team and what
part each played in the preparation of the report),
Where did information for the case come from (who was interviewed, any
documentary sources).
Appendices

Note: This format is adapted from the Tasmanian Governments PM902 Business Case.

The report is expected to:

be 20 pages or less for the main body of the report (sections 1 to 8),
have 1.5 line spacing,
be A4 page size with normal margins (2.54 cm),
and have 12 point font size.

You will submit the report electronically via the Wattle course website.
Marking Guidelines
HD High
Distinction
D Distinction
C Credit
P
Pass
F

Fail

As for a distinction, but with evidence of a very high standard of work, creativity
and/or additional insights.
All sections in the report present, with much of the work at a high standard.
All sections in the report present and completed to an acceptable standard.
All sections in the report present, but some sections not completed to an acceptable
standard.
A number of the important parts of the report not completed to an acceptable
standard.

b) Presentation of Business Case (5 marks)


Each team is required to present their business case to the class in a tutorial session in Tutorial Weeks 8
and Week 9. Each group will conduct a 10-15 minute group presentation followed by a 5 minute question
and answer opportunity. Time limits will be strictly enforced. The business case may not be finalised at the
time of the presentation, but the presentation should cover the business case itself, the options, and if
already known the recommended option and the implementation strategy.
Presentations will be assessed on the following criteria:

Content is organized, consistent and accurate;


Effective use is made of presentations aids, with professional design of PowerPoint (or other slide
presentation software) slides;
Presentation style is effective, with audience engagement, creativity, confidence and appropriate
length and pace;
Questions are answered well.

Plagiarism
The College regards plagiarism as any appropriation of the ideas or expressions of another without relevant and
appropriate acknowledgement. This includes unattributed appropriation of text or content and may extend to
improper referencing. Discovered instances of plagiarism will be pursued to the full extent allowable under the rules:
ANU Discipline Rules (http://www.anu.edu.au/about/governance/legislation)
Policy on Academic Integrity (http://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/assessments-
exams/academic-honesty-plagiarism)
Where students have doubts as to how to deal with or acknowledge source materials in essays or assignments, they
should consult with the Course Convenor.

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