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The Open University

Successful IT systems

The Open University via OpenLearn

Overview

Information technology (IT) systems are a critical part of our world, in business and the public and voluntary sectors. They are often highly complex and interconnected combinations of technology, organisations and people. Success and failure of IT systems can be seen in many different settings. Many are highly successful; others fail, sometimes spectacularly. This free course focuses on success, to help you understand what is meant by a successful IT system.

Syllabus

  • Introduction
  • Learning outcomes
  • 1 Success and failure in IT systems
  • 1 Success and failure in IT systems
  • 1.1 A successful system
  • 1.2 A failed system
  • 1.3 Reflecting on success and failure
  • 2 The sociotechnical nature of IT systems
  • 2 The sociotechnical nature of IT systems
  • 2.1 Approaches to systems thinking
  • 2.2 Components of an IT system
  • 3 Understanding success in IT systems
  • 3 Understanding success in IT systems
  • 3.1 What is a successful system?
  • 3.2 Criteria for judging success
  • 3.2.1 Surveys of IT success
  • 4 Stakeholders in systems success
  • 4 Stakeholders in systems success
  • 4.1 Stakeholder analysis
  • 4.2 Identifying stakeholder groups
  • 4.3 From stakeholder identification to analysis
  • 4.4 Power versus interest
  • 5 Power and success in IT systems
  • 5 Power and success in IT systems
  • 5.1 Politics and rationality
  • 5.2 Identifying conflict
  • 5.3 Politics of stakeholder identification
  • 5.4 Stakeholder legitimacy and conflict
  • 5.5 Expert stakeholder power
  • 5.6 Power and system success
  • Conclusion
  • References
  • Acknowledgements

Reviews

4.5 rating, based on 2 Class Central reviews

4.2 rating at OpenLearn based on 30 ratings

Start your review of Successful IT systems

  • Profile image for Ali Ihsan Gunes
    Ali Ihsan Gunes
    A great course with sufficient data to create a successful IT system. I believe this is a course that future IT managers should examine.

    Başarılı bir BT sistemi oluşturmak için yeterli verilere sahip güzel bir kurs. Geleceğin BT müdürlerinin incelemesi gereken bir kurs olduğunu düşünüyorum.
  • Preyaa Rambrichh
    I really enjoy this course. Very Informative with techniques for everyday interaction from workplace to social situations. Easy to navigate through the course. It took me 4 hours to complete this course, short and inclusive of all valuable and practical information. I encourage you to follow this course, plus it is free, and you can earn a FREE certificate after successfully completing this course. Something you might add in your CV!
    Enroll right now, for FREE!

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