23 Jun Technology Solution Individual Assignment Before you begin this assignment, be sure you have read the Case Study and completed at least the first three Sections of the B
Kindly find the instructions in the attachment below. PLEASE NO PLAGIARISM. Kindly skip if this is not your field of expertise. Thank you.
Technology Solution – Individual Assignment
Before you begin this assignment, be sure you have read the Case Study and completed at least the first three Sections of the Business Case with your group.
Purpose of this Exercise
This activity allows you to demonstrate your understanding of the components of a technology solution and demonstrate your grasp of the concepts covered in the IFSM curriculum (hardware, software, data, networks, etc.). This assignment specifically addresses the following course outcomes to enable you to:
Evaluate, select, and apply appropriate analytical and measurement methods/tools and system development life cycle (SDLC) – methodologies to meet organizational needs.
Research, assess, recommend/select, and implement information technology that aligns with business needs and meets business objectives.
Effectively communicate with stakeholders orally, visually, and formally in writing to determine stakeholders' business requirements, explain how their requirements will be met, and provide ongoing audience-appropriate information.
Responsibly protect organizations' critical information and assets by integrating cybersecurity best practices and risk management throughout global enterprises.
Individual Assignment Instructions
Using the Client Case Study and the technology solution (system) identified by your group in Section III of your Business Case, you should independently develop the detailed technical description of the system your group is proposing and supporting, along with how it will be meeting the business needs. You are to describe the technical components of your proposed solution, describe in detail how the system will work functionally, provide a graphical representation of your solution with supporting narrative, and address cost estimates and return on investment in narrative with supporting cost documentation. The five parts of this assignment are more fully described below. Use the numbering scheme and outline provided as you develop your paper.
Business Need and Proposed Solution
Begin your paper with a brief description of the business need identified by your Group in Section II of the Business Case. Then, describe the overall functionality of the system your group selected and included in Section III, including how it relates to the points of your business need. Do not copy Section III of the Business Case, but describe the system in your own words. Make these thoughts tell a story in a logical, complete way.
Solution Resources and Operational Components
Begin with an opening statement that addresses the path below, then name and explain the subsections and their parts.
Required Resources
Hardware
Software
Network and Communications
How these work together to provide the solution
How the Components Will Work
People. Address the people by position who will use the system and how they will use it/for what they will use it.
Data. Develop a discussion of the data needed for the system, where it will come from and how will it get into the system, how it will be used, and how it will, at a high level, flow through the system. Make sure you follow the logical flow from start to finish of the business transaction(s).
Input. Discuss system inputs. When the system is operational, what data will be input to be processed and/or stored? Again, as with all sections, follow the logical order.
Processing. Address what processing will be done by the system, and what the system is required to do with the data in order to create the output.
Output. Address and discuss what the output the system is required to produce.
Storage. Discuss where the data will be stored and how.
Security. List (using bullets) and explain the necessary security devices, software, and policies that will be required.
1. How the System Will Converge
Your paper should
1) explain how these components work together to support the business need identified and
2) how the solution as a whole is appropriate to the business described in the Case Study. The who, what, when, where and how of the system should all be covered, as you envision it being implemented and used.
3) From your description, the reader should be able to envision how the IT solution will be setup and used by the organization in the Case Study.
You must correctly cite and reference any resources you use in APA format.
I. Enterprise Architecture
A graphical representation/diagram shall be integrated into the textual description, along with its supporting narrative, explaining how each business location and component are being addressed.
Approach to Developing This Section. You should include at least one original graphical representation of your specific technology solution in your paper (not as a separate file). It should include all major components of the solution, all the locations of the business, how each group of users will communicate with the system (on-site and remotely), and, of course, the system solution being proposed. The file “Example Network Diagram” shows the level of detail needed and provides sample icons for use in constructing your drawing, if you choose to use them. You should include labels as to the purpose of each component, e.g. email server, database server, system administration PC, etc. The make/model/capacity of the devices does not need to be included – simply provide their generic device type (router, switch, server, etc.) and their function (email, database, etc.). For a cloud-based or hosted solution, you are not expected to identify specific hardware items used at the hosting site.
II. Cost Estimate and Return on Investment (ROI)
First, create the ROI spreadsheet described below. Then, using information from the spreadsheet, develop a narrative that explains the system costs, to include: the expected one-time investment/implementation costs; annual reoccurring costs; and the ROI and payback period. This should be derived from and supported by your calculations as developed in your spreadsheet.
Approach to Developing This Section. Using the Excel spreadsheet provided with the assignment, first review the "Instructions for Using the ROI Calculator" document also provided with the assignment. Then, read the "Instructions" tab, and the "ROI Calculator Example" tab. Next, complete the tab "Costs and Sources" with a list of all components that need to be acquired (either by purchase, lease, subscription, etc.), the quantity of each required and a unit cost and a total cost associated with each item. These general cost estimates may be obtained from any source, but the sources should be cited – for this you should complete the "Source of Cost" column in the spreadsheet inserting the URL where you found the cost. The categories listed are to help you be sure to include everything. Some items listed may not be part of your solution; and you may add rows as needed in the spreadsheet. Note that one-time implementation costs are separated from on-going repeated costs. Enter your items in the appropriate area. For example, software costs that are a one-time startup fee would go in the Implementation Costs, while monthly or annual subscription costs for software would go in the On-Going Costs. Every item in your description of resources and your graphical representation needs to be included on the cost spreadsheet. Assumptions that affect cost are also recorded on the spreadsheet (on the ROI tab). Your spreadsheet should show the formulas for the Total Item Cost for each item and for Sub-Totals and Totals. Display USD($) rounded to the nearest dollar.
Next, using the "ROI Calculations" tab on the spreadsheet provided with the assignment, transfer the one-time costs to that tab, in item 2.2 under year 1. Copy the recurring annual costs for those items and enter the annual cost in item 2.3; enter the annual cost in the columns for years 1-5. Then, go to item 2.1 and enter estimates for the costs of selecting and documenting the proposed solution; use reasonable cost estimates for each category; note these are entered in the "year 0" column, since they are incurred prior to the acquisition of the system. Finally, go to section 1 on the spreadsheet tab and enter several areas where the organization in the Case Study will realize savings by implementing the system. You should refer to Section IV of your group's business case for areas where savings may be realized. You can add other areas where savings could be expected, ending with a minimum of five areas. Use reasonable estimates for each area.
If you use the spreadsheet as it is and use "Insert Row" to add rows where you need them, the spreadsheet will calculate the total savings and the total costs by year for the first 5 years. The totals are displayed in blue in bold font. The last two lines on this tab of the spreadsheet show the calculated Cash Flow (Savings minus Expenditure) and the calculated Cumulative Cash Flow (cumulative cash flow from the previous year plus the current year cash flow).
Scroll to the top of the page on the "ROI Calculations" tab, and you will see 4 charts. The lower two charts show the categories of costs and the expenditures in pie charts; this shows at a glance where the largest savings or the highest costs are. The chart in the top left shows the costs and savings by year. The chart in the upper right is the most important one. It shows the calculated Return on Investment (ROI) for the project. The ROI is calculated by computing the Net Savings (Total Savings over the 5 year period minus the costs incurred during the 5 year period) and dividing the Net Savings by the Total Expenditure. Then the payback period is calculated to determine in which year the accumulated savings exceed the project costs. Ensure that you have a positive ROI and that a payback period is shown. These will be incorporated into the narrative in Section V of your paper.
Before you complete your spreadsheet and move on, go back and review your results, making sure you can tell the story that is required in your Section V. narrative. Then, write the narrative including all the information required for that Section as shown above.
Assignment Deliverables
You should prepare this as a total package that is tied together in a professionally presented and logical manner. This includes Title Page and References Page. These are not separate deliverables, but to be considered a single deliverable with multiple parts.
· The Word file will be a professional submission, with Title, Body, and References pages/sections. The diagram will be included as part of your Word file, and must be readable.
· The Excel spreadsheet will be submitted as a separate file, but you will use the data in your Word file to tell the cost estimate and ROI story as the last section of the body of your paper.
· Your Word file will automatically be submitted to TurnItIn. Review the similarity report to ensure you have properly cited your sources.
Project Documentation Requirements — Report Format
Format will follow each of the requirements as given in the Group Project Instructions. Please refer to this document. Other than your Title Page, the document will be single-spaced. All indentions will follow a 0.25 inch hierarchical pattern.
Writing Quality will likewise follow the same requirements as given in the Group Project Instructions. If your paper does not reflect the proper formatting, follow the outline provided, and flow logically, you may not receive full credit for your response to specific requirements. This will result in a decreased grade not only for report format, but additionally may be reflected in other relevant sections.
Title Page. Your Title page should be double-spaced and centered, using Title Format: identify the business in the Case Study, the paper's subject title, your name, class, and date – in this order. Insert a Page Break following the date.
References Page. Following the end of the Body of your paper, insert a Page Break, creating your References page, and complete it in APA style. Refer to the Writing Resources located under the course Content.
Filenames and Submission. Submit your document(s) via your Assignment Folder as Microsoft Word and Excel documents with your last name and first name included in the filename(s): TechnicalSolution_lastname_firstname.
Use the Grading Rubric below to guide you in your Section Headings, and to ensure you have covered all technical and quality aspects of the assignment.
GRADING RUBRIC:
|
Criteria |
90-100% Far Above Standards |
80-89% Above Standards |
70-79% Meets Standards |
60-69% Below Standards |
< 60% Well Below Standards |
Possible Points |
|
I. Business Need and Proposed Solution |
5 Points The business need and IT solution are clearly and thoroughly described. |
4 Points The business need and IT solution are clearly described. |
3.5 Points The business need and IT solution are described. |
3 Points The business need and IT solution are weakly described. |
0-2 Points Little or no description of business need and/or IT solution are provided. |
5 |
|
II-A. Solution Resources and Operational Components |
9-10 Points Descriptions are thorough and cover hardware, software, and network resources and how they work together; clearly apply to proposed IT solution and to the Case Study; and demonstrate sophisticated analysis and critical thinking and sophisticated writing. |
8.5 Points Descriptions are complete and cover hardware, software, and network resources and how they work together; apply to proposed IT solution and to the Case Study; and demonstrate analysis and critical thinking and clear writing. |
7.5 Points Descriptions cover hardware, software, and network resources and how they work together; apply to proposed IT solution and to the Case Study. |
6.5 Points Some resources may not be covered completely or at all; explanation of how they work together may be lacking or incomplete; some descriptions may not apply to proposed IT solution and/or the Case Study; may be lacking in demonstration of understanding of concepts, analysis, and/or critical thinking. |
0-5 Points Few or no descriptions of resources are provided. |
10 |
|
II-B. How the Components will Work |
13-15 Points Descriptions are thorough and cover people, data, input, processing, output, storage and security; apply to proposed IT solution and to the Case Study; and demonstrate sophisticated analysis and critical thinking and sophisticated writing. |
12 Points Descriptions are complete and cover people, data, input, processing, output, storage and security; apply to proposed IT solution and to the Case Study; and demonstrate analysis and critical thinking and clear writing. |
10-11 Points Descriptions cover people, data, input, processing, output, storage and security; apply to proposed IT solution and to the Case Study. |
9 Points Some activities may not be covered completely or at all; explanation of how they work together may be lacking or incomplete; some descriptions may not apply to proposed IT solution and/or the Case Study. |
0-8 Points Few or no descriptions of people, data, input, processing, output, storage and security are provided. |
15 |
|
III. How the System Will Converge |
13-15 Points Explanations are thorough and cover 1) how these components work together to support the business need identified, 2) how the solution as a whole is appropriate to the business and 3) how the IT solution will be setup and used by the organization in the Case Study. Demonstrates sophisticated analysis and critical thinking and sophisticated writing. |
12 Points Explanations address all three requirements stated at left. Demonstrates analysis, critical thinking and clear writing. |
10-11 Points Explanations address all three requirements stated at left. Analysis, critical thinking and/or clear writing may be lacking. |
9 Points Some aspects of the requirements may not be covered completely or at all; explanations may be lacking or incomplete, or may not apply to the proposed IT solution and/or the Case Study. Analysis, critical thinking and/or clear writing may be lacking. |
0-8 Points Explanations severely lacking and/or absent. Analysis, critical thinking and/or clear writing severely lacking. |
15 |
|
IV. Enterprise Architecture (Graphic) |
18-20 Points Graphic illustration is professionally presented, appropriately labeled, applies to proposed IT solution and to the Case Study, and demonstrates sophisticated analysis and critical thinking; and sophisticated narrative is provided to convey the meaning of the graphic. |
16-17 Points Graphic illustration is professionally presented, appropriately labeled, applies to proposed IT solution and to the Case Study, and demonstrate analysis and critical thinking; and clear narrative is provided to convey the meaning of the graphic. |
14-15 Points Graphic illustration is presented, has labels, applies to proposed IT solution and to the Case Study, and demonstrates analysis and thinking; and narrative is provided to convey the meaning of the graphic. |
12-13 Points Graphic may not be professionally presented, may not be appropriately labeled, may not apply to proposed IT solution and/or the Case Study; narrative may be lacking in completeness. |
0-11 Points No graphic or supporting text provided or very minimal effort is demonstrated. |
20 |
|
V. Cost Estimate and Return on Investment |
22-25 Points Spreadsheet is professionally and accurately presented, appropriately formatted and formulas used as appropriate. Costs are shown for all components listed in paper and/or shown on graphic. Costs are reasonable and sources of costs are presented. ROI shows a positive return and payback period is shown. Relevant text is also provided as part of the paper; narrative includes required elements. |
20-21 Points Spreadsheet is well presented, appropriately formatted and formulas used as appropriate. Costs are shown for all components listed in paper and/or shown on graphic. Costs are reasonable and sources of costs are presented. ROI shows a positive return and payback period is shown. Relevant text is provided as part of the paper; narrative includes required elements. |
17-19 Points Spreadsheet is appropriately formatted and formulas used as appropriate. Costs are shown for all components listed in paper and/or shown on graphic. Costs are reasonable and sources of costs are presented. ROI shows a positive return and payback period is shown. Relevant text is somewhat provided as part of the paper and/or includes most required elements. |
15-16 Points Spreadsheet may not be professionally presented, may not be appropriately formatted or use formulas appropriately. Costs may not be shown for all components listed in paper and/or shown on graphic. Costs may not be reasonable and/or sources of costs may not be presented. ROI may not show a positive return, and/or payback period may not be shown. Narrative may not include required elements or be missing. |
0-14 Points No cost spreadsheet included, or very minimal effort is demonstrated. |
25 |
|
Report Format |
9-10 Points Report follows the format provided and uses professional and sophisticated writing with the diagram and information from the spreadsheet appropriately integrated into the narrative; follows instructions provided; uses correct sentence structure, grammar, and spelling; transitions and explanations of tables, etc.; references are appropriately incorporated and cited using APA style. |
8.5 Points Report follows the format provided and uses professional and clear writing with the diagram and information from the spreadsheet discussed in the narrative; follows instructions provided; uses correct sentence structure, grammar, and spelling; references are appropriately incorporated and cited using APA style. |
7.5 Points Report is organized, with both the Word file and Excel files submitted; follows instructions provided; uses correct sentence structure, grammar, and spelling; presented in a format with appropriate headings/subheadings; references are appropriately incorporated and cited using APA style. |
6.5 Points Report may not be well organized, and/or may not be presented as a cohesive whole; and/or does not follow instructions provided; presented in a format without headings/subheadings; and/or contains grammar and/or spelling errors; and/or does not follow APA style for references and citations. |
0-5 Points Report is extremely poorly written and does not convey the information. |
10 |
TOTAL Points Possible |
100 |
09/29/2020 6
,
INSTRUCTIONS FOR USING THE ROI CALCULATOR SPREADSHEET
The ROI Calculator spreadsheet is to be included with the individual technology solution description. This allows each member of the team to specify costs and savings and be able to see how the Return on Investment (ROI) and payback period are calculated.
Prior to the week in which the individual technology solution assignment is due, there is an ungraded Exercise for you to practice with the ROI calculator using simple data and step-by-step directions.
HOW THE CALCULATOR WORKS
First, it would be helpful to understand how the ROI Calculator works. Open the ROI Calculator spreadsheet and click on the "Instructions" tab. Read the instructions and then click on the "ROI Calculator Example" tab. At the top you will see 4 charts; scroll down to the data and come back to the charts later. In the data area, you will note that savings and costs are identified for the first 5 years of the project, and you will see the following:
1. Project Cost Savings/Income. These are areas where savings are expected to be achieved, and the amounts that are projected to be saved over each of the first 5 years. Total yearly savings are shown in blue.
2. Project Expenditures.
2.1. Selection Costs. Note that these are shown in year 0, as they occur prior to starting the project. The subtotals by item and by year are in orange.
2.2. Implementation Costs. These are one-time costs, but may occur in more than one year. For example, training may be done at the beginning and then again the next year. (It may even need to be done at some minimal level every year after the initial training; if that is the case the recurring training costs go below.) Hardware and software may be purchased incrementally, depending on the implementation schedule. It is possible that all one-time costs for a small project will occur in year 1. Part of the implementation cost is an amount that should be set aside for contingencies. It may only be needed in year 1, and the amount depends on the project. The subtotals by item and by year are in orange.
2.3. Ongoing Costs. These are costs that will recur year after year. They may not be the same every year. For example if a business is growing in employees, additional software licenses may be needed in year 3 for those employees. However, for purposes of these assignments, the same annual ongoing costs will be used for each year, including year 1. The subtotals by item and by year are in orange.
Total Project Expenditures are shown in blue.
3. The next two lines on this tab of the spreadsheet show the calculated Cash Flow and the calculated Cumulative Cash.
3.1. Cash Flow. Cash Flow by year is automatically calculated by the spreadsheet. Cash Flow is calculated by subtracting the expenditures for the year from the savings for that year. For example, in Year 1 (not year 0), the savings are projected to be $65,000 and the total expenditures are $230,000, with a net negative cash flow of $-165,000.
3.2. Cumulative Cash Flow. Cumulative Cash Flow by year is automatically calculated by the spreadsheet. It is calculated by taking the previous year's cash flow amount and adding the current year's cash flow amount. The cumulative cash flow for year 1 takes the $-20,000 cash flow from year 0 ($-20,000) and adds the cash flow from year 1 ($-165,000) for a total negative cumulative cash flow for year 1 of $-185,000. Note that in year 2, the Cash Flow is positive (savings exceed costs for that year) and in year 3 the cash flow is very positive and the cumulative cash flow is now positive. Take a quick look at the chart at the top right side of the sheet and you will see that the "Payback Period" is Year 3 – the year that the accumulated savings exceed the accumulated expenses.
4. Section 4 provides a place to record any assumptions that have an impact on the cost data. Examples might be assumptions about how the number of users or transactions might grow over time, how the business might change over the 5 year period, which users would be given access to the system (affecting the number of licenses, etc.).
5. Then, scroll to the top of the page on the "ROI Calculations" tab, and you will see 4 charts.
5.1. The lower two charts show the categories of costs and the expenditures in pie charts; this shows at a glance where the largest savings and the highest costs are.
5.2. The chat in the top left shows the costs and savings by year. Notice what happens in year 3 – the cumulative cash flow (in purple) is above zero.
5.3. The chart in the upper right is the most important one. It shows the calculated Return on Investment (ROI) for the project. The ROI is calculated by computing the Net Savings (Total Savings over the 5 year period minus the costs incurred during the 5 year period) and dividing the Net Savings by the Total Expenditure. Then the payback period is calculated to determine in which year the accumulated savings exceed the project costs.
HOW TO USE THE CALCULATOR
Next, using the "ROI Calculations" tab on the spreadsheet, transfer the one-time costs to that tab, in item 2.2 under year 1. Copy the recurring annual costs for those items and enter the annual cost in item 2.3; enter the annual cost in the columns for years 1-5. Then, go to item 2.1 and enter estimates for the costs of selecting and documenting the proposed solution; use reasonable cost estimates for each category; note these are entered in the "year 0" column, since they are incurred prior to the acquisition of the system.
Finally, go to section 1 on the spreadsheet tab and enter several areas where the organization in the Case Study will realize savings by implementing the system. You should refer to Section IV of your group's business case for areas where savings may be realized. You can add other areas where savings could be expected to come up with a list of four or five areas. The total savings over the five year period must exceed the total cost of the system, or it will not be approved by the decision-makers. So, think carefully about all the ways your system will save money for the organization and be sure your total savings if more than the total costs.
If you use the spreadsheet as it is and use "Insert Row" to add rows where you need them and "Delete Row" where needed, the spreadsheet will calculate the total savings and the total costs by year for the first 5 years. The totals are displayed in blue in bold font.
,
Trusty Carpets
Background: Jerry Montgomery has been selling carpets for 20 years from his store, Trusty Carpets, which is located in a strip mall that, over the past few years, has become a busy shopping center. The location is in what had been a quiet town near a large city, but recent
