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Managing IT Outsourcing (ISYS90055)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Summer Term
Overview
Availability | Summer Term |
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Fees | Look up fees |
Aims
Outsourcing has become a routine part of management, yet it remains far from easy. In general, the concept of using external organizations (whether domestic or offshore) is considered an efficient and logical way to get things done, and is indeed widely accepted in many sectors of the economy. However, the learning curve is significant, it involves considerable hard work by both parties on a daily basis, and the results are highly dependent on the capabilities of the organizations involved. This subject focuses on the crucial activities that make a difference between success and disappointment.
Indicative Content
This subject provides an overview of both the theory and practice of managing outsourcing throughout the lifecycle.
Topics discussed are:
- Architect Phase: Deciding what and how to outsource. Designing a deal, developing a Contract Scorecard, Service Level Agreements and Key Performance Indicators, pricing, and the contract
- Engage Phase: Competitive bidding, choosing supplier/s , negotiation, due diligence
- Operate Phase: Mobilisation, governance and contract management, relationship management
- Refresh Phase: Disengagement (exit), next generation planning.
Intended learning outcomes
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
On completion of this subject the student is expected to:
- Describe a range of managerial issues regarding outsourcing.
- Explain the lifecycle and corresponding ebbs and flows of bargaining power.
- Understand the practical difficulties and realistic success strategies for outsourcing.
- Justify decisions in what and how to outsource.
- Recognize personal negotiation styles and how that influences approaches to outsourcing as well as results.
- Empathize with challenges facing both purchasers and providers and form pragmatic solutions.
- Demonstrate a practical ability to write an SLA to a commercial standard.
- Independently research and argue disparate beliefs/theories of outsourcing.
Generic skills
On completion of this subject, students should have developed the following generic skills:
- Logic, practical long-term thinking
- Results-orientated and economic-effect cognition
- As well as writing and presentation
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Assessment
Additional details
- One report of approximately 1500 words, requiring approximately 25-30 hours of work; (Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) 3, 6 and 7 are addressed in the report); due in first half of semester (20%)
- One group based paper with 5 group members of approximately 3500 words, requiring approximately 33-35 hours of work per student; (ILOs 1, 6 and 8 are addressed in the paper); due in the second half of semester (25%) along with anonymous group feedback per student
- A 20 minute group presentation, requiring approximately 18-22 hours of work per student; (ILOs 1, 6 and 8 are addressed in the presentation); due in the second half of semester (15%) along with group self-assessment per student
- Six short tests; (ILOs 1 to 6 are addressed in the tests) across the teaching period (40%)
Hurdle requirement:
- To pass the subject, students must obtain at least 50% of the marks available for the tests.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Dates & times
- Summer Term
Principal coordinator Sean Maynard Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 36 Hours of contact: two * 3h blocks per day over 6 days. Total time commitment 200 hours Teaching period 3 January 2018 to 2 February 2018 Last self-enrol date 9 January 2018 Census date 12 January 2018 Last date to withdraw without fail 2 February 2018 Assessment period ends 16 February 2018 Summer Term contact information
Time commitment details
200 hours
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Cullen, S., Lacity, M. and Willcocks, L. Outsourcing: All You Need to Know. Either paperback edition on http://www.amazon.com/Outsourcing-All-You-Need-Know/dp/0992343615 or digital edition on http://whiteplumepublishing.com/
- Subject notes
Learning and Teaching Methods
The subject is delivered in 3 hour classes, two per day for 6 days. Each class will be made up of a combination of lectures, discussions and tutorial type activities. Outside class, students will study through prescribed readings.
Learning Resources
Additional readings are available via the LMS.
Careers/Industry Links
This subject is relevant to careers in with purchasers and/or providers of outsourced services, in addition to those running or considering their own business in the area.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
- Links to additional information
- Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Additional information for this subject
Subject coordinator approval required
Last updated: 3 November 2022