Diploma in Information and Communications Technology in Business Analysis

Purpose

The purpose of this diploma is to provide a professional and vocational qualification for the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) industry, combining theory and practical exposure to enable a graduate (diplomate) to analyse business environments and design and create reliable and cost effective specifications for ICT solutions to facilitate the alignment and integration of ICT with business processes.

Rationale

This qualification provides an entry-level for the development of Business Analysis qualifications required by industries. It aims to develop business analysis competencies required by business analysts in any Information and Communication Technology (ICT) related occupations. The qualification introduces key terms, rules, concepts, principles and practices of business analysis that will enable learners to support business analysis processes and practices in the workplace.

Business analysts and information systems developers/specialists are required locally, nationally, and internationally in any business organisation/industries.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

RPL may be used to demonstrate competence for admission to this qualification. This qualification may be achieved in part through recognition of prior learning processes. Credits achieved by RPL must not exceed 50% of the total credits and must not include credits at the exit level. Learners who already work in the ICT industry who believe they possess competencies to enable them to meet some or all of the Exit Level Outcomes (ELOs) listed in the qualification will be able to present themselves for assessment against those of their choice.

The provision that the qualification may be obtained through the recognition of prior learning facilitates access to an education, training and career path in ICT enabled fields and thus accelerates the redress of past unfair discrimination in education, training and employment opportunities.

Evidence of prior learning must be assessed through formal RPL processes through Institutions' approved methods. Any other evidence of prior learning should be assessed through formal RPL processes to recognise achievement thereof.

Learners submitting themselves for RPL should be thoroughly briefed prior to the assessment and will be required to submit a Portfolio of Evidence (PoE) in the prescribed format to be assessed for formal recognition.

The structure of this non-unit standard based qualification makes RPL possible, if the learner is able to demonstrate competence in the knowledge, skills, values and attitudes implicit in this first stage ICT qualification.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirements are

• National Senior Certificate (NSC) allowing entry to Diploma studies with the achievement rating of 3 (Moderate Achievement, 40-49%) or better in four recognised NSC 20-credit subjects. COMPULSORY NSC SUBJECTS: NSC achievement rating of at least 4 (50-59%) in English as a home language or first additional language level and either 4 (50-59%) in Mathematical Literacy or 3 (40-49%) in Mathematics.

Or

• Senior Certificate with Conditional Exemption or Mature Age Exemption if the Candidate is 23 years on the year of registration with the following subjects:

> English First Language E(HG)/D(SG).

Or

> English Second Language D(HG)/C(SG).

> Mathematics E(HG)/D(SG).

Or

• National Certificate (Vocational) at Level 4 allowing entry to Diploma studies with the following (minimum) percentage score for the fundamental subjects:

> English - 50% (as it is the University's language of learning and teaching (LOTL)).

> Mathematics - 50% or Mathematics literacy - 60%.

> Life Orientation - 50%.

- In addition, must obtain 60% for three of the following compulsory vocational modules (in any combination)

> Systems Analysis and Design.

> Data Communication and Networking.

> Computer Programming.

> Physical Science.

This qualification consists of compulsory modules at Level 5 and 6 totalling 360 Credits.

Compulsory Modules at Level 5: 180 Credits

• Development Software I, 30 Credits.
• Information Systems I, 30 Credits.
• System Software I, 30 Credits.
• Information Technology Skills I, 30 Credits.
• Business Accounting I, 30 Credits.
• Business Analysis II, 30 Credits.

Compulsory Modules at Level 6: 180 Credits

• System Analysis and Design II, 30 Credits.
• Management Information Systems II, 30 Credits.
• Web and Application Software Testing II, 30 Credits.
• Business Analysis III, 30 Credits.
• Enterprise Systems Technologies III, 30 Credits.
• Management Information Systems III, 30 Credits.

1. Communicate effectively with all role players related to the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) field the learner will operate in.
2. Ensure learners are capable of analysing and designing system requirements for business problems.
3. Identify and evaluate ICT opportunities for business enhancement.
4. Compile and execute a test plan to validate an ICT solution.
5. Assist in the alignment of ICT and business processes to integrate an ICT solution into the business process re-engineering.
6. Enable the learner to evaluate advanced business analysis tools and techniques and apply them in complex industry-based scenarios.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Meet with role players in ICT fields.
• Produce written reports.
• Analyse the effectiveness of written and verbal communication generated through research based projects.
• Make presentations based on the project.
• Analyse and document information.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Describe business system needs through understanding core business management principles.
• Demonstrate the ability to use appropriate approaches to retrieve IT-based business requirement specifications.
• Analyse key components, architecture and technical foundations underlying Enterprise systems.
• Design and develop formal business cases using internationally recognised tools and techniques associated with Business Analysis.
• Design, develop and present IT-based business proposals.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Explain concepts of systems integration and the role of ERP in systems integration.
• Select appropriate ERP software and vendors based on identified business profiles and evaluate ERP implementation in an organisation.
• Associate global, ethical and security issues related to ERP implementation and management in an organisation.
• Simulate supply chain transaction on an on-line ERP software environment.
• Motivate the need for the automation requirements in accounting processes.
• Evaluate the needs of IT policy and governance.
• Integrate business law, organizational policy and guidelines into an E-commerce/E-business solution.
• Recommend IT-based strategies for Marketing, Sales Promotion, Purchasing and Support activities in e-businesses.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Identify the core competencies in the latest hardware and software technologies, understand basics of operating systems; determine minimum hardware requirements and compatibility with a specified OS platform.
• Test business ICT solutions using tools and techniques associated with the Program Development Cycle.
• Apply a predictive and adaptive approaches to the System Development Life Cycle (SDLC) and iterative methodologies.
• Apply basic project management principles of project conceptualisation, feasibility study, planning, implementation and testing.
• Complete an authentic project process of proposing, designing and implementing a test case.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Explain rules and laws surrounding the usage of ICT within social and corporate contexts.
• Evaluate the needs, benefits and drawbacks of ICT policy and governance.
• Integrate business law, organisational policy and guidelines into an E-business solution for the organisation.
• Concepts of systems integration and the role of ERP in systems integration are applied.
• Demonstrate the impact of change management, people issues and business process reengineering on ERP implementation.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Demonstrate use of software tools and techniques provided to perform business statistics, data analysis and decision making activities.
• Perform financial planning.
• Apply the theory of Business Intelligence (BI) through practical interpretation of Web based Analytics.

Integrated Assessment

Assessments are designed to evaluate knowledge, competencies and skills from an academic perspective and the applied competencies (practical, foundational and reflexive competencies) required by this qualification. To achieve this, assessments take a variety of forms including assignments/projects (individual and/or team), quizzes, written and/or practical tests and final examinations.