This module is not currently running in 2024 to 2025.
Students taking this module will undertake two or (typically) more assignments for the Kent IT Clinic (KITC). Each assignment will be of one of three types: .
Work on one of KITC's contracts with an external client. To the extent that client-funded work allows, every student will be given at least one assignment of this type. Wherever practical, a student will be encouraged to participate in the negotiation and pricing of contracts, under the ultimate supervision of KITC management. For each assignment, the student may work on the assignment individually or as part of a group, as directed by KITC.
A contribution to the infrastructure of KITC itself. These assignments work in a similar way to external assignments, but with KITC as the client.
Formulating a costed proposal for the future development of KITC, and presenting reasoned argument in support of the proposal to KITC management, as a candidate for inclusion in KITC’s strategic plan for the following academic year. Every student will have at least one assignment of this type.
Total contact hours: 20
Private study hours: 300
Total study hours: 300
13.1 Main assessment methods
Project Report – 100%
13.2 Reassessment methods
Like for like where possible. Due to the nature of this module, and the necessity of an outside client partner, it is not necessarily possible to retrieve credit for this module. In such cases, the student must select another module, and possibly transfer to another programme when this module is compulsory on their current programme.
The BS EN ISO9001:2000 Standard BSi, ISBN 580368378
John Locke Open Source Solutions for Small Business Problems Charles River Media 2004,
ISBN 158403203
Efraim Turban et al. Electronic Commerce: a Managerial Perspective Prentice Hall 2003, ISBN
131230158
Mark Norris and Steve West eBusiness Essentials: Technology and Network Requirements for
Mobile and Online Markets John Wiley 2001, ISBN 471521833
Owen Briggs et al. Cascading Style Sheets: Separating Content from Presentation APress
2004, ISBN 159059231X
See the library reading list for this module (Canterbury)
See the library reading list for this module (Medway)
8. The intended subject specific learning outcomes.
On successfully completing the module students will be able to:
8.1 Students will be able to formulate and evaluate technical alternatives to meet IT requirements arising from small businesses, including projects which have a medium- or largescale impact on the processes of the business. This includes issues of integration with existing technology and procedures, maintenance and expansion. Wherever appropriate, this will include consideration of both proprietary and open source solutions. [A4, B1, B3, B4, B8, C2]
8.2 Students will be able to estimate proposed solutions to IT-based problems in small business situations, in respect of both time and cost. Students should be able to do this under supervision for projects of up to medium scale, and with minimal guidance for smallscale projects [B1, B8, D4]
8.3 Students will be able to present technical and commercial aspects of proposed solutions to IT-based problems to clients, using reasoned argument attuned to the client's level of technical understanding. [B2, C2]
8.4 Students will have demonstrated an ability to work to tightly-defined cost and timescale budgets, and have gained an understanding of how to respond in a professional manner to changes in client requirements, and other eventualities that raise the prospect of budget overruns. [B2, B6, D2, D5]
8.5 Students will have gained detailed practical experience in applying selected areas of computing technology to meet the requirements of small enterprises. [A1, A2, A3, B5, C3]
8.6 Students will have experience of carrying out IT project work in a framework of defined procedures and processes, be able to evaluate that framework critically, and formulate practical proposals to develop that framework so as to achieve a dependably high-quality service in a cost-effective way. [B5, B6, B8, C4, D6]
8.7 Students will be able to formulate costed plans for the strategic development of an IT consultancy business, and to canvass support for such plans by reasoned argument. [B2, B8, C1, C2, C4, D2]
9. The intended generic learning outcomes.
On successfully completing the module students will be able to:
9.1 Students will be able to explore diverse sources of information to formulate and present technical alternatives to solve a given problem, and to decide between competing solutions within an identified framework of constraints, using criteria of evaluation that they have formulated. [D2, D3]
9.2 Students will have an understanding of project management in a commercial context, including the ability to assess and manage financial, organisational, and technical risks, and the need to establish and evolve a quality management system. [A4, C2, D5]
9.3 Students will appreciate how to deal with customers in a consulting role: skills required here include communication, presentation, negotiation and (where conflict arises) conflict resolution. [B2, D1, D2]
9.4 Students will be able to interact effectively within a team, recognise and support leadership provided by others, and be able to manage conflict in this context. Students will be able spontaneously to seek and make use of advice and feedback. [D1, D5, D6]
9.5 Students will be able to take responsibility for their own work, including (where applicable) leadership and mentoring provided by them to other team members, and evaluate its strengths and weaknesses. [D1, D5]
9.6 Students will be confident in the application of their own judgement, including developing their own criteria of evaluation, and be able to challenge received opinion. These capabilities will be manifest both in the students' conduct of their own project work and (where applicable) in leadership provided to other team members. [D1, D5]
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