Unit 6 Management in Information Technology

·   Aim

To enable learners to embrace the work-based activities expected of a technology manager, by providing the generic skills, knowledge and understanding required in the IT environment.

·   Unit abstract

The unit will investigate and provide the generic skills, understanding, knowledge and work- based activities required by a manager in the information technology environment, thus enabling them to play an active role within an organisation.

Technology managers have to deal with change and participate effectively with management at all levels, including senior management, in the development and implementation of strategies. Learners will be introduced to the software tools available to support management and produce reports for financial planning and control.

In this unit learners will also use IT for strategic planning activities and evaluate the impact of IT on management as well as learn the importance of embracing new developments.

·   Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this unit a learner will:

1. Understand principles of staff management
2. Be able to use software management tools
3. Be able to participate in strategic planning
4. Understand current developments in information technology.

Unit content

1         Understand principles of staff management

Recruitment: policies eg legal, job descriptions, selection criteria, preparation for interview, administrative and induction; line management structure

Motivation: current theories eg management of change, leadership, participation, team structure and management

Administration: tasks eg scheduling including links with project management, monitoring performance, appraisal, terms and conditions of employment; employer standards; systems and expectations; company policies and procedures

2         Be able to use software management tools

Management planning processes eg investigation of an organisation’s budgetary procedures, bidding procedures, budgetary monitoring systems, production of financial reports, managing projects

Software tools for management: information system tools eg diary systems, spreadsheets, intranet, decision support systems; identification of tools with appropriate applications; project management software; management information systems

3         Be able to participate in strategic planning

Strategic planning: aim of strategic planning; use of IT in strategic planning; participating eg, contributing to disaster recovery plan, IT systems planning on strategic planning

Maintaining currency: research methods eg periodicals, internet, conference; human networking; accreditation; issues eg social, political, ethical, legal (UK, EU, global)

4         Understand current developments in information technology

Developments in IT: impact on management eg learning new skills, training; impact of the internet eg on senior and middle management

Importance: for management eg competitive advantage, efficiency, data analysis, deployment of staff (home working)

Learning outcomes and assessment criteria

Learning outcomes   On successful completion of this unit a learner will:	Assessment criteria for pass   The learner can:
LO1 Understand principles of staff management	evaluate an organisation’s staff recruitment policyexplain theories concerning staff motivation and the management of changeevaluate staff administration documentation
LO2 Be able to use software management tools	use system management tools to assist a company in their management planning processeffectively use software management tools
LO3 Be able to participate in strategic planning	critically evaluate the role of IT in strategic planninguse appropriate research methods to contribute to a company’s strategic plandiscuss the issues associated with strategic planning
O4 Understand current developments in information technology	evaluate the importance of embracing new developments in technologyanalyse the impact of new technology on management.

Guidance

Links to National Occupational Standards, other BTEC units, other BTEC qualifications and other relevant units and qualifications

The learning outcomes associated with this unit are closely linked with:

Level 3	Level 4	Level 5
Unit 3: Information Systems	Unit 5: Emerging Technologies	Unit 30: Information Systems in Organisations
Unit 4: Impact of the Use of IT on Business Systems

This unit has links to the Level 4 and Level 5 National Occupational Standards for IT and Telecoms Professionals, particularly the areas of competence of:

• Information Management.

Essential requirements

Centres are advised to build up a collection of appropriate scenarios and case studies to set the context for the topics covered. Centres must have appropriate tools for budgetary control, and presentation. There must also be materials to help learners keep abreast of current developments in information technology.

The unit has to be delivered within a realistic management context. Centres must provide the management tools, theories and systems to support the learner in satisfying the requirements of the unit.

Resources

Books

Aalders R, Hind P – The IT Managers Survival Guide (Wiley, 2002) ISBN 047084454X

Green M – Change Management Masterclass: A Step-by-step Guide to Successful Change Management (Kogan Page, 2007) ISBN 0749445076

Holtsnider B, Jaffe B – IT Manager’s Handbook Second Edition: Getting your new job done

(Morgan Kaufmann, 2006) ISBN 012370488X

MacDonald, Lynda – How to Manage Problem Staff Successfully: Busy Manager’s Guide to Managing Staff (Emerald Guides, 2008) ISBN 1847160581

Robson W – Strategic Management and Information Systems: An Integrated Approach (Prentice Hall, 2007) ISBN 0273615912

Websites

www.itmanagement.com/ www.computerweekly.com/it-management/

Employer engagement and vocational contexts

Links with local organisations are paramount to the delivery of the unit. The setting of realistic scenarios supported by employer engagement and guest speakers will enhance learners’ experience.