More about how to meet criteria P1 - P6

P1 explain the reasons for upgrading IT systems in an organisation 

Start by listing what IT systems might be being used. I suggest that, after the general things like networks and e-mail, internet services etc., you look at some individual departments or areas of operation and what they use particularly in each.

Then research what recent developments there have been in a range of those and explain why upgrading might be a good idea. Often the various brand pages will give you some good text - after all, they'll be doing their best to explain precisely why customers should buy their latest products!

IT used in business

General areas – hardware and software used?

·         Networks, e-mail, internet connection, e-commerce,

Departments – what do they use?

·         Finance

·         Marketing

·         Production / Quality control

·         Personnel / HR

·         Sales / Customer Service

Recent developments

Why it might be a good idea to upgrade to the latest product

P2 explain the impact of IT developments on an organisation 

Having explained why upgrades may be a good idea, you should have some indications, should they be implemented, of their impact. For this you could usefully take several IT developments (not necessarily all being used as some developments represent a totally new approach to how part of an operation might work - e.g. creating an on-line store or utilising wireless internet services or even robotics for production processes) and look at the positive aspects and negative aspects involved.
The impact on staff, the need for training, the potential for outsourcing and costs in all options are all good themes for this.

Recent developments

Description / product	Advantages	Disadvantages

P3 explain how organisations respond to information technology developments 

There are a range of responses: get the latest stuff, wait and see what reviewers or others in an industry think about it, do nothing

Look at each in the range and talk about the merits of each approach, with some examples of actual recent developments and how some organisations have embraced them enthusiastically or not.

Recent development examples

Description / type / product

Response

P4 explain how an organisation can manage risk when using IT technology [EP3] 

Any change brings risk. Risk inevitably means cost - either for protection against it or for fixing things that go wrong. So identify the risks involved in recent technology (websites, internet security, data sharing, staff changes and experience, unfamiliar environments, etc.,) and for each chosen risk explain how it might be effectively (or not) managed.

Management might imply better security, tighter encoding and encryption, change of anti-virus and malware provider, education re legal responsibilities, addition of required text to e-commerce sites, training for staff, recruitment of experts in certain software, redundancy amongst those unwilling or unable to change, accessibility improvements, quality control benefits etc.)

Recent developments

Description / type / product	Risk	How it can be managed

P5 describe recent IT developments

The emphasis here is on recent developments. You may have already listed several for P2. For these and a few more recent developments describe what they entail - again manufacturers' sites will be a useful source of information or, for the more general, there should be plenty of articles in technology magazines or blogs.

Recent and new or planned developments

Description / product / version	What the press say	Other comments, views

P6 produce a proposal for an IT-enabled improvement to a business system. [EP2]

For this you need to describe an existing process in operation at the moment at an organisation and explain how it might be improved by utilising IT in some way. Describe the IT change or introduction you would make and indicate, ideally with examples or illustrations of the process, where it would enhance efficiency, security or profitability etc.

It is just a proposal but it really should be based on something real and be feasible and practical with a clear summary of its impact on costs and staff as appropriate.

If you pick a procedure that you understand well yourself or may even be familiar with from work or a colleague's activities then this task will be considerably easier than trying to envisage a theoretical situation. You will also find it much simpler to get most of the research part of the task more or less done for you by the person concerned! You then add in your proposal and impact considerations.

Existing process

·         Description of what it does, who does what, any links to other processes, illustrations or examples if possible

·         Problems or reasons why it might be a good idea to use IT or update use of existing IT

Your proposal

·         What it does, who does what, any links etc. Illustrations, flow chart or examples if possible.

·         Clear indication of why this could be a good idea. Cost guide for introduction. Any risks or problems to be overcome?