INF80042 TECHNOLOGY ESSENTIALS FOR MANAGERS Assignment 1: Technology Awareness
Assessment Structure: Concise Briefing Paper
Individual or Group: Individual
Learning outcomes assessed: This assessment task is designed to test your achievement of learning outcomes 1,2 and 3.
Word limit: 1000 words +/- 10%
Weighting: This assessment task contributes 20% to your final grade
Due Date & Submission details: This assessment is due by: By 11.59 pm (AEST) March 24. This assessment task must be submitted inside the Assessment 1 Canvas submission link. You may submit up to a maximum of three (3) times prior to the due date. Your final submission will be the version which is marked. Be aware that Turnitin reports will take longer to generate after each submission. Therefore, do not leave your final submission until the last moment.
Task details
There will be further guidance of “What is a Concise Briefing Paper?” in class during Week 1.
Organisations are constantly trying to improve internal processes, products, and services. Exploiting technology is an obvious way of doing this. One definition of ‘technology’ provided in INF80042 is: “…the knowledge, products, processes, tools, and systems used in the creation of goods or in the provision of services”.
Your work, the products and services you sell or provide, the skills you need, and even the structure of the organisation can be affected by the introduction of new technologies.
Your task for this assignment is to write a concise 3-page briefing paper which describes ONE (1) of the following technology system/concept:
• The Internet of Things (IoT); or
• Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Your intended audience is the Executive Board of your organisation who need to understand the basics of the technology system/concept so they can decide to approve expenditure on adoption and implementation and align the technology system/concept to corporate strategy. The Board are experienced with business cases, marketing and strategy but are not considered to be technology experts and therefore are looking at you to provide the insights and overview of the technology system/concept to them. To make them look good!
Your briefing paper should describe (a) a definition of the technology system/concept, (b) the potential improvements in business processes as a result of implementation of the technology system/concept (choose either a banking, telecommunications, airline, or educational organisational context) and (c) the broader impact of that technology system/concept on society.
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Your briefing paper should include an introduction outlining the purpose of the paper, description of the IoT or AI, analysis of potential improvement for business followed by societal impact and a conclusion. It is suggested that the balance of coverage be approximately:
• Introduction 75-100 words
• IoT or AI 800 words
• Summary & Conclusion 75-100 words
In exploring each concept, there is an academic expectation that references will be used to support the discussion and analysis. There must be 10 references provided in-text as a mix of direct quotes and paraphrasing, and formatted Harvard Style. The full list of 10 references must also be listed in a Reference List at the end of the briefing paper.
The reference list is not included in the word count.
There is no requirement for any other report/type structural element such as abstract or appendix.
Referencing
You must use the Harvard Referencing style throughout your assessment and include an accurate reference list at the end of the assessment.
Other expectations
• Keep a MS Word backup of your Report submissions. If your assessment goes astray, whether
• your fault or ours, you will be required to re-produce it.
• It is expected that all work submitted, will have been edited for spelling, grammar and clarity.
Extensions and Late Submission
Please reread the section on Extensions and Late Submission that can be found in the Unit Outline.
Plagiarism
Please reread the section on plagiarism that can be found in the Unit Outline.
Any evidence of plagiarism will result in referral of your assessment to the Chair of Department, Business Technology and Entrepreneurship, Swinburne Business School.
Collaborative discussion with other participants in the unit around concepts and additional examples is highly recommended, but don’t copy.
Assessment Help
If you have any queries or concerns you may discuss it with the convenor and/or tutor in the Canvas discussion board in the appropriate discussion forum or by email.
IT Technical Help
Technical assistance on any IT related issues can be obtained from the Swinburne Service Desk (03) 9214 5000.
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