General information


Subject type: Mandatory

Coordinator: Alfonso Palacios González

Trimester: Third term

Credits: 6

Teaching staff: 

Eugeni Fernández González
Alfonso Palacios González 

Teaching languages


The teaching of this subject is mainly in Catalan. However, some sessions, the bibliography, part of the contents and the tools can be in Spanish or English.

Skills


Basic skills
  • B2_That students know how to apply their knowledge to their job or vocation in a professional way and have the skills they demonstrate by developing and defending arguments and solving problems within their area of ​​study

  • B3_Students have the ability to gather and interpret relevant data (usually within their area of ​​study), to make judgments that include reflection on relevant social, scientific or ethical issues

  • B4_That students can convey information, ideas, problems and solutions to both specialized and non-specialized audiences

  • B5_That students have developed those learning skills necessary to undertake further studies with a high degree of autonomy

Specific skills
  • EFB6_Adequate knowledge of the concept of company, institutional and legal framework of the company. Organization and management of companies

  • EIS1_Ability to develop, maintain and evaluate software services and systems that meet all user requirements and that behave reliably and efficiently, are affordable to develop and maintain and comply with quality standards, applying theories, principles, methods and software engineering practices

  • EIS2_Ability to assess customer needs and specify software requirements to meet those needs, reconciling conflicting goals, by seeking acceptable compromises, within the limitations of cost, time, the existence of already developed systems and of the organizations themselves

  • EIS3_Ability to solve integration problems based on available strategies, standards and technology

  • EIS4_Ability to identify and analyze problems and design, develop, implement, verify and document software solutions based on adequate knowledge of current theories, models and techniques

  • EIS5_Ability to identify, assess and manage potential associated risks that may arise

  • EIS6_Ability to design appropriate solutions in one or more application domains, using software engineering methods that integrate ethical, social, legal and economic aspects

  • ESI1_Ability to integrate Information and Communications Technology solutions and business processes to meet the information needs of organizations, enabling them to achieve their goals effectively and efficiently, thus achieving competitive advantage

  • ESI2_Ability to determine the requirements of the information and communication systems of an organization, taking into account security aspects and compliance with current regulations and legislation

  • ESI3_Ability to actively participate in the specification, design, implementation and maintenance of information and communication systems

  • ESI4_Ability to understand and apply the principles and practices of organizations, so that they can act as a link between the technical and management communities of an organization and actively participate in user training

  • ESI5_Ability to understand and apply the principles of risk assessment and apply them correctly in the elaboration and execution of action plans

  • ESI6_Ability to understand and apply the principles and techniques of quality management and technological innovation in organizations

Transversal competences
  • T1_That students know a third language, which will be preferably English, with an adequate level of oral and written form, according to the needs of the graduates in each degree

  • T2_That students have the ability to work as members of an interdisciplinary team either as one more member, or performing management tasks in order to contribute to developing projects with pragmatism and a sense of responsibility, making commitments taking into account the available resources

Description


This course introduces the managerial aspects of computer science and information systems departments and accompanies the student to be in a position to assume specific responsibilities and under supervision in the management of the computer function. 

In order to take on tasks of managing the IT function of organizations, the role of business processes is analyzed and, from these, infer the aspects that an information system must cover in order for business processes. work properly.

The future engineer is introduced to the ability to create information systems plans in an organization and, therefore, is trained to recognize the value chain of a particular company in order to adapt its information systems. information to give strategic coverage to the organization. 

This subject assumes all or part of the content descriptors of the verification report:

  • SI planning
  • Management techniques of an IS department
  • Legislation

This subject has methodological and digital resources to make possible its continuity in non-contact mode in the case of being necessary for reasons related to the Covid-19.

In this way, the achievement of the same knowledge and skills that are specified in this teaching plan will be ensured.

 

Learning outcomes


At a general level, this subject contributes to the following learning outcomes specified for the subject "Information services and systems for organizations":

• Demonstrate knowledge of the ethical dimension in the company: the social and corporate responsibility in general and, in particular, the civil and professional responsibilities of the computer engineer.
• Specify, design, implement, manage and maintain complex and / or critical software systems and services.
• Evaluate and select hardware and software production platforms for the execution of computer applications and services.
• Evaluate hardware / software systems according to a certain quality criterion.
• Determine the factors that negatively affect the security and reliability of a hardware / software system, and minimize its effects.
• Identify current and emerging technologies and assess whether they are applicable, and to what extent, to meet user needs.
• Ensure that an organization's ICT systems function properly, are secure, and are properly installed, documented, customized, maintained, updated, and replaced, and that the organization's people receive proper ICT support.
• Direct, plan and coordinate the management of the IT infrastructure: hardware, software, networks and communications.
• Design and manage information systems.
• Understand and use manuals, product specifications and other technical information written in English effectively.

At a more specific level, at the end of the course, the student must be able to:

  • LO1: Explain the management of information as an organizational resource and as a key asset and its role as a tool to obtain competitive advantages.
  • LO2: Differentiate computer management techniques (budgetary, economic, human resources, acquisition of goods and services, quality) by evaluating their purposes and applications.
  • LO3: Explain the different dimensions of the management of information systems and computer infrastructure and the choice of hardware and software platforms.
  • LO 4: Describe the different management areas of an IS department.
  • LO 5: Assess the importance of training and the definition of a professional career.
  • LO 6: List the legislation that regulates the development, use and management of IS.
  • LO 7: Explain the function of a CIO, CTO and DPO.

Working methodology


Guided learning hours include:
Theoretical classes in large group in which:

  • The invited teachers or professionals introduce the contents of the subject.
  • Small teaching activities are carried out that seek to make the student an active protagonist in the acquisition of their knowledge.

Internships in small teams of two to four people that have a part that is performed in the laboratory led or supervised by teachers and a part in which the team must
operate autonomously.
Directed research activities on topics related to the subject.
Within the hours of autonomous learning are considered the hours to prepare the theoretical classes, the hours to study and consolidate the acquired knowledge, the hours
to prepare the work of the practices and, finally, the hours that the student can dedicate to increase and complement his knowledge on the matter.

This course, due to the situation generated by COVID, some of the large group sessions will be held in hybrid format: face-to-face and online (via streaming).

This will allow students to rotate to face-to-face classes, respecting the maximum number of students per classroom imposed by the distance measures. When they do not have a face-to-face session, they will be able to follow the class online from home.

 With regard to internship sessions in smaller spaces (such as laboratories, studios or sets), where appropriate, work will be carried out simultaneously in several spaces in order to ensure that the conditions established by the safety protocols are met.

Contents


  • Basic definitions of Information systems.
    • Data,
    • Information:
    • Meaning, Validity, Importance and Validity of the information.
    • Business
    • Technology
    • System
    • Organizational chart
    • Process
    • Communications
    • Information Systems
    • Presentation by the students of the business chosen to do the practices of the subject
  • The management of Information systems
    • The role of the IOC.
    • Why will we focus on the “system”? .
    • A systems plan or long-term goals. Its information base
      • The team and its members.
      • Why and how information is important to the organization
      • Team assets.
      • Internal customers.
      • Needs to be met.
      • Action plan.
    • Life cycle of an information system
      • Feasibility and needs
      • Requirements
      • Development or Acquisition
      • Deployment
      • Maintenance
      • Migration or Termination
    • Needs study
    • Risk detection
    • Taking requirements
    • Information systems specification (detail limit)
    • Process design
      • Limits
      • Areas of the company involved
      • Functions
      • Roles
      • Input information
      • System vendors
      • System clients
      • Process Modeling (BPMN 2.0)
      • Costs
      • Legal aspects?
    • Acquisition or development
      • Elements of each option.
      • Clearly acquisition.
      • Clearly development.
    • Improvement of processes
      • Evaluation of information systems
      • Evolution
      • Implementation of new versions
      • Migration to another product.
    • The status of the projects
    • Deployment of information systems solutions
      • Installation processes
      • User training
      • Deployment event communication
      • Training of administrators
      • Training of operators
      • Planning maintenance tasks
    • Information systems management planning
      • Economic planning.
      • Maintenance planning.
      • Operations planning.
      • Resource planning.
    • Quality management and innovation in the SI department
    • Areas within an IS department
      • Customer service.
      • Quality
      • Innovation
      • Maintenance
      • Consulting and Projects
  • The management of information technologies
    • The role of the CTO.
    • A systems plan or long-term goals. Its technological basis
      • The team and its members.
      • Why and how technology is important to the organization.
      • Technological needs.
    • Requirements and Needs of Information Technologies
      • Technological requirements
      • Technological objectives
    • Life cycle of technology deployment
      • Feasibility and needs
      • Requirements
      • Current state of technology
      • Risk assessment and management
      • Acquisition or subcontracting
      • Deployment
      • Maintenance
      • Migration or Withdrawal
    • Main areas of technology deployment
    • Basic elements of a technology platform
    • Acquisition and deployment of services
      • Study of possible suppliers.
      • Study of products in the market.
      • Own platform or Cloud.
      • Acquisition of licenses or payment for use.
      • Cost study of the two options.
    • Acquisition and deployment of equipment
      • Technology platform design
      • Description of the elements according to the large areas
      • Determination of required availability (24x7 redundancy)
      • Deployment resources
      • Deployment calendar
      • Deployment methods
      • Maintenance resources
    • Quality management and innovation in technology
    • Management of the maintenance of the technological platform
      • Equipment maintenance
      • Software maintenance
      • Maintenance tasks
    • Technology management planning
      • Economic planning.
      • Routine maintenance planning.
      • Punctual maintenance planning (new versions)
      • Operations planning (wiring, hardware change, etc ...)
      • Resource planning.
  • Human resource management in the ICT area
    • Professional profiles
    • Roles within the department and necessary skills.
    • Continuous training of team members.
    • Certifications, why? When?
  • Legislation applicable to ICT
    • The LOPD and the new RGPD.
    • Intellectual property law.
    • The Law on Information Society Services and Electronic Commerce.
    • The role of the DPO (Data Protection Officer) within the organization.

Learning activities


Class dynamics in order to discover the different challenges proposed by the management of information systems.

Practices for modeling business processes and using business management tools

SI / IT management case studies

Final exam

Evaluation system


Qualification system (evaluation)

Practices for modeling business processes and using business management tools (25%)

SI / IT management case studies (25%)

Final exam (50%)

All grades are required. A grade higher than 5,0 is required in each activity to pass the subject and be able to take the average.


Following the general regulations, the copy in the activities of evaluation carries like consequence the evaluation with a note SUPENS (0) of all the asignatura.


Rules for carrying out the activities

All activities are required to attend to be evaluated.
Activities are mandatory. Activities not performed - or those not attended - are rated as 0.

REFERENCES


Basic

Laudon, KC, Laudon, JP “Management Information Systems: managing the digital firm, Global edition, 15th edition”. Pearson, 2017. ISBN-13 978-1292211756

Holtsnider, Bill; Jaffe, Brian D. "IT Manager's Handbook, 3rd edition," third edition, Morgan Kaufmann Publishers, 2012. ISBN-13: 978-0124159495. ISBN-10: 0124159494.