P a g e | 1 DEN203 - Group Assessment Briefing Document Overview Students must work with the group they have been assigned to and informed about via the SISTC email to produce a report that analyses IS/IT in a retailer (i.e. operating physicalstores, online or both). The questions to answer are: 1. Describe two IS/IT innovations the retailer is using and how they are influencing its effectiveness. 2. Identify and apply a formal framework for analysing and improving alignment between the retailer’s business and itsinformation technology services function (e.g. ITIL). 3. Discuss two important aspects the retailer should consider when devising its IT strategy and apply an appropriate tool or technique to align business and IT strategy and planning (e.g. you might refer to some models in webinar 3, though undertaking external research is recommended). 4. Using the learning from lecture 6, draw a representation of the members of the retailer’s network. 5. Explain the systems integration challenges the retailer would experience when dealing with such a network and how these challenges could influence the coherence of its IT infrastructure. 6. Discuss the importance of architecture when the retailer is analysing and designing its information systems for maximum effectiveness. Students will be assessed on the following criteria: • Evidence and depth of research (25%) • Relevance of content (25%) • Clarity of Structure (10%) • Writing to the audience (15%) • Correct referencing (10%) • Network representation (15%) P a g e | 2 The report component is worth 20% of the overall mark and will be marked using the following rubric: Criteria Fail Pass Credit Distinction High Distinction (0 - 49%) (50 - 64%) (65 - 74%) (75 - 84%) (85 - 100%) Evidence and depth of research (25%) Less than 6 appropriate and relevant titles read. At least 6-10 appropriate and relevant titles read. At least 10-14 appropriate and relevant titles read. Extensive reading of more than 16 appropriate and relevant titles. 20 or more relevant titles read. Relevance of content (25%) Incomplete description of the assigned questions. An adequate description of the assigned questions. Accurate description and analysis of the assigned questions. Very accurate description and analysis of the assigned questions. Exacting description and analysis of the assigned questions. Clarity of Structure (10%) The structure of the report is unclear and is not logical. It does not address the main issues. Use of headings and charts unsatisfactory. The structure of the report is clear and logical in parts. It addresses most main issues. Use of headings and charts could have been improved. The structure of the report is clear, easy to read and logical, directly addressing most main issues. Suitable headings used and some use of graphics/charts. The structure of the report is clear, easy to read and logical, directly addressing all main issues. Suitable headings used throughout. Good use of graphics/charts.. The structure of the report is clear, easy to read and logical, directly addressing all main issues and providing other relevant insights. Suitable headers used throughout. Powerful use of graphics/charts Writing to the audience (15%) Too much use of technical jargon. A large number of spelling, punctuation or grammatical errors. Some over-use of technical jargon. Several spelling, punctuation or grammatical errors. Appropriate use of technical jargon. Some spelling, punctuation or grammatical errors. Appropriate use of technical jargon. No spelling, punctuation or grammatical errors. Use of technical jargon minimised and defined when necessary. No spelling, punctuation or grammatical errors. Correct referencing (10%) Referencing not done to APA Referencing standard. Over-use of direct quotes. Range of sources used is not appropriate and/or not documented. APA referencing applied to a range (6- 10) of relevant resources. No more than 4 errors. Some over-use of direct quotes. Sources all documented. APA referencing applied to a range (10-14) of relevant resources. No more than 2 referencing errors. Direct quotes used sparingly. Sources all documented. APA referencing applied to a range (16+) of relevant resources. No referencing errors. Direct quotes used sparingly. Sources all documented. APA referencing applied to a range (20+) of relevant resources. No referencing errors. Direct quotes used sparingly. Sources all documented. Network representation (15%) The network representation is unclear and not logical. The network representation is clear and logical in parts. The network representation is clear, easy to read and logical. The network representation is very clear, easy to read and logical. The network representation is excellent, easy to read, logical and detailed. It is very important to note that research is a key criterion that will influence the mark you earn. The best research is where students make their arguments by using peer-reviewed journal articles. While using a minimum of six (6) sources is expected, students will only achieve a top mark in their research component when they adequately use over twenty (20) quality research sources. Kindly note that using WIKIPEDIA and other online encyclopedia is not allowed and may result in being given a fail grade for the task. Furthermore, the team leader must insert in the report P a g e | 3 a % indicating the contribution of each team member. Members who do not do their fair share of the work will be penalised. Further to the above, there is a presentation component as per the details shown below: • The presentation must be supported by appropriate visual aids. • A minimum of 5 slides and a maximum of 10 slides is allowed • The allowed presentation time is 10 minutes and up to an additional 5 minutes for students to ask questions. • All group members are required to present. • Optimise the oral presentation grade by not simply reading the written report but also presenting conclusions drawn from the analysis. • Demonstrate positive verbal and non-verbal communication skills. The presentation component is worth 10% of the overall mark and will be marked using the following rubric: Criteria Fail Pass Credit Distinction High Distinction (0 – 49%) 50 – 64%) (65 – 74%) (75 – 84%) (85 – 100%) Presentation skills (25%) Minimal eye contact by more than one member. Members read from screen or notes. The audience was not engaged. Majority of presenters spoke too quickly or quietly making it difficult to understand. Inappropriate/disin terested body language. Members focused on only part of audience. Sporadic eye contact by more than one presenter. Some of the audienc e was distract ed. Speakers could be heard by only half of the audience. Body language was distracting. Most members spoke to majority of audience; steady eye contact. The audience was engaged by the presentation. Majority of presenters spoke at a suitable volume. Some fidgeting by member(s). Regular/consta nt eye contact. The audience was engaged, and presenters held the audience’s attention. Appropriate speaking volume & body language. Some minor errors but overall enthusiastic. Regular/constant eye contact. The audience was engaged, and presenters held the audience’s attention. Appropriate speaking volume & body language. Professional fault free presentation from enthusiastic presenters. Knowledge of topic (25%) Presenters didn’t demonstrate understanding of the topic. Majority of questions answered by only one Group showed general understandin g of topic - lack of understandin g of some Most showed a good understandi ng of topic. Some members not able to answer Most showed a very good understa nding of topic. All members Extensive knowledge of topic. Members showed complete understanding of assignment. Accurately P a g e | 4 member or not at all. Responses incorrect. parts of topic evident in some but not all members of the group. Only some members accurately answered questions. audience questions able to answer most of audience questions. answered all questions posed. Organisation / evidence of preparation (25%) Unbalanced presentation or tension resulting from over/underhelping. Multiple group members not prepared. Evident lack of preparation /rehearsal. Disorganised an disjointed Significant controlling by some members with others only minimally contributin g. Primarily prepared but with some confusion – timing issues Some disorganisatio n and strong reliance on notes. Slight domination of one presenter or one member less prepared. Members helped each other. Well prepared. Some reliance on reading from notes All presenters knew the information, participated equally, and helped each other as needed. Well prepared and rehearsed – only minor errors. All presenters knew the information, participated equally, and helped each other as needed. Extremely prepared and rehearsed. Highly professional presentation Visual Aids(25%) PowerPoint only used but not well or no visual aids prepared. Many errors in spelling, grammar and punctuation. Slides difficult to read and too much information copied onto them. No visual appeal. PowerPoint only used. Some errors in spelling, grammar and punctuation. Too much information on two or more slides. Acceptable but unimaginativ e visual appeal or errors in use of colour. PowerPoint predominant – one or two additional aids used, not managed well. Some errors in spelling, grammar and punctuatio n. Too much information on two or more slides. Some imaginatio n used to improve visual appeal. PowerPoint mainly used with some additional appropriate visual aids used effectively. No errors in spelling, grammar and punctuation. Information is clear and concise on each slide. Visually appealing/eng aging. Imaginative and creative choice of visual aids. No errors in spelling, grammar and punctuation. Information is clear and concise on each slide. Highly visually appealing/engaging . Total mark out of 10 Comments: P a g e | 5 Important Additional Information • Please include SISTC’s assessment cover page at the beginning of the submitted work. • The assessment must be APA referenced, typed Calibri 12 font, double spaced and delivered by using the appropriate headings and sub headings. • Referencing is only considered adequate when the sources that are used in the work are acknowledged both in-text and in the references list at the end of the essay. • The assessment’s length is 2500 words (+/-) 10% including references. • The assessment is worth 20% of your overall subject mark, plus a further 10% for the presentation • A word document of your assessment must be submitted to Moodle by Monday the 1 st of February 2021 at 11PM. Files that are not submitted in word will not be accepted. • You do not need to print and submit a hard copy of your report and presentation. • Submitting your work late will attract a reduction of mark for each day beyond the due date. • It is recommended to plan time appropriately and start your assessment early which will give you time to gain feedback from your tutor and do well. Additional Important Formatting Guidelines All undergraduate essay and research report style assignments should be formatted using the following rules: Margins: 2.54 left, right, top and bottom (this is the pre-set default margin setting in Word). Indenting: Each new paragraph should be indented one Tab space. Justification: No justification of text on right hand margin. Justify the left side of text in the body of essay/report except for indents required for the first lines of each new paragraph (see presentation format exemplar). P a g e | 6 Header: Your name and student number are to be inserted into the header of the document along with the assessment name (e.g. critical report). Footer: Page numbers should be inserted in bottom centre of the footer. Assignment Title: Please include an assessment title or heading (e.g. Annotated Bibliography, Case Study Report) in Arial 14 point bold Word Count: Word counts will comprise ALL text material contained in the body of the written assignment. This will include in-text citations, quotations, and any headings (if used). This will also include any information presented in tables or figures which are included WITHIN the body of the assignment. Information included outside of the main body of the assignment (e.g. coversheet, title page, reference list, preparation table) will NOT contribute to the word count. Please Note: You must adhere to the stipulated word count for your assignment. Assignments which go over this stated limit may be penalised, and the marker may cease to read your paper once the word count has been reached. Headings: Headings are generally used more in research reports than in essays. The following rules should be followed to format headings if used. Level of Heading Format 1 Centred, Boldface, Uppercase and Lowercase Heading 2 Flush left, boldface, Upper and Lowercase Heading 3 Indented, boldface, lowercase paragraph heading ending with a period. 4 Indented, boldface, italicised, lowercase paragraph heading ending with a period. The above table has been adapted from the APA Style Guide to Electronic References (2012). P a g e | 7 Use of numbers in assignment text: • Numbers between zero and nine should be represented in words. For example: There were six experimental groups in the trial. • Numbers ten and above should be represented in numerical format. For example: A total of 24 participants took part in the pilot. • Write out all numbers at the start of a sentence. For example: Twenty students completed the task. • Tables: Table title is ABOVE the table. Table 1. Write title here. Table Heading- Horizontal Table Heading Table Body Table Body Figure: Figure title is BELOW the table. Figure 1. Write title here. Sample 1st Qtr 2nd Qtr 3rd Qtr 4th Qtr