Subject Overview Page
615-686 ICT Outsourcing Fundamentals - Semester 1 2008

Coordinator

Subject Resources

• LMS
• SIS

Synopsis

This subject provides an overview of the best that is known about what makes information and communications technology (ICT) outsourcing work and not work. It asks why organizations outsource, and why outsourcing is fraught with difficulties. It identifies factors that have been found to lead to successful outsourcing, asks why these factors are important, and discusses client and supplier organizational structures and management practices to help make outsourcing work. Two important concepts discussed are Cullen's concepts of the outsourcing lifecycle and the configuration of a client organization's outsourcing portfolio.

Upon completion of this subject students should be able to (a) explain why organizations outsource, (b) summarize steps in the typical ICT outsourcing lifecycle, (c) identify key characteristics of ICT outsourcing configuration (and why they matter), and (d) explain and discuss of why certain ICT outsourcing management practices are more successful than others.

Prerequisites

Assessment

Written assignments and project work totaling no more than 6000 words due during the semester (50%); a 2-hour written examination in the examination period (50%).
Further details will be made available to students prior to the commencement of the subject.

Generic Skills

Students should have honed their generic skills such as:

• clear thinking,
• improved reading and writing,
• enhanced ability to work in a team of people, and
• presentation skills