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Unit outline_

INFS3080: Implementing Agile Design

Semester 2, 2024 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit covers advanced topics in project management with an emphasis on contemporary issues in the delivery of complex Information Systems solutions for businesses. The topics include alternative project management methodologies and techniques, the human and organisational aspects of project management, the importance of project governance, the changing nature of project management in the digital era, as well as the evolving role of the project manager in the global business environment.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Business Information Systems
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
48 credit points of units
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

INFS1000 and INFS2040

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Abe Bakar, abe.bakar@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 2 September 2024
Type Description Weight Due Length
Supervised exam
? 
Final Exam
Final exam
40% Formal exam period 2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Assignment Individual assignment
In parallel to the group assignment, there will be individual tasks
20% Week 12
Due date: 25 Oct 2024 at 23:59

Closing date: 08 Nov 2024
Series of individual tasks
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Assignment group assignment Group Project Proposal
Written report
40% Week 13
Due date: 01 Nov 2024 at 23:59

Closing date: 11 Nov 2024
3000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

  • The assessment item requires students to work within their project groups to analyse and provide recommendations for resolving an assigned problem. The problem will be developed by a ‘business organisation’ that will serve as the project sponsor.
  • The deliverables of the project include
    • Group Project Proposal (40%) consisting of a presentation (20%) and written report (80%)
    • Individual Assignment (20%) consisting of a series of individual tasks
    • Final Exam (40%) 

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school. 

Distinction

75 - 84

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

Credit

65 - 74

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

Pass

50 - 64

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school. 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Introduction and Unit Overview Lecture (3 hr) LO1
Week 02 The Agile Environment Lecture (3 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 03 Discovery - Immersion in Customer Experience Lecture (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 04 Defining the Problem - Context, Cause and Effect and Root Causes Lecture (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 05 Generate Ideas - Explore Possible Solutions Lecture (3 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 06 Build Prototypes - Mock-up Potential Solutions Lecture (3 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 07 Test Prototypes - Validate and Iterate Lecture (3 hr) LO1 LO4 LO6
Week 08 Design for Humans - How Humans Experience Change Lecture (3 hr) LO1 LO3 LO5 LO6
Week 09 Agile Principles in Action - Simplicity and Continuous Delivery Lecture (3 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 10 Design Lab 1 - Finalise Solution Design Lecture (3 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 11 Design Lab 2 - Finalise Solution-Human Ecosystem Lecture (3 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 12 Proposal Pitch Lecture (3 hr) LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 13 Finalise Group Proposal Lecture (3 hr) LO4 LO5 LO6

Attendance and class requirements

While attendance is not marked on its own, it is monitored, and comprises a source of information the lecturer can use when determining a student’s individual contributions to group work during the semester. 

Typically, for a 6-credit point unit, you are expected to commit about 120-150 hours of effort in total over a full 13-week semester. Consider carefully your overall study workload and other commitments such as part-time or full-time work before you register for this unit. 

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

Recommended Texts.

  1. The Agile Practice Guide by Project Management Institute
  2. The UX Book 2 by Rex Hartson & Pardha Pyla.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. apply and relate information systems theories and concepts in the context of an actual business organisation
  • LO2. analyse open-ended business scenarios and evaluate the implications of information systems decisions
  • LO3. apply techniques for organisational and business process analysis to resolve an actual business problem
  • LO4. communicate in a professional and confident manner, both orally and in writing, with actual business professionals
  • LO5. apply team management concepts and theories to effectively work in, and manage, cross-functional teams
  • LO6. analyse and reflect critically on the ethical and social implications of information systems.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Adjustments have been made to align the content with the 12 Principles of Agile with a focus on delivering continuous value in an Agile implementation environment.

More information can be found on Canvas.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.