UMUC Haircuts Case study assignment help

Before you begin this assignment be sure you:
1. Have completed all previously assigned readings particularly thoseassigned in Weeks 3 and 4 of the class.
2. Re-read the UMUC Haircuts Case Study and the Stage 1 & 2assignments and review the Walmart Example.
3. Review Instructor feedback from previous assignment submissions.
Overview of IT Requirements for a System to Improve the Process at UMUCHaircuts
For your Case Study Stage 1 assignment you performeda Five Forces Analysis and justified Myra’s chosen strategy for competitiveadvantage and thebusiness process that she would like to improve through the application oftechnology.
For your Stage 2 assignment you identified the inputs processing and outputsof Myra’s selected business process.Those inputs processing and outputs form the functional (business)requirements for an IT system to improve the process.
In Stage 3 you will define the ITrequirements by evaluating their applicability and importance in a newsystem to be implemented to improve the identified business process for UMUCHaircuts. The requirements that are identifiedas relevant to the business process will form the IT (technical)requirements for a system. In evaluating and selecting an IT system boththe functional (business) requirements and the IT requirements need to beconsidered. The areas that need to be consideredin developing the IT requirements are listed below in the Table of IT Requirements. Depending on the specific process being improvedand the data it uses the areas listed will vary in both relevance and importance. For example in a system to handle applicationsfor Social Security security and privacy are extremely important; but for asystem to list what movies are being shown privacy is not applicable at all. Youranalysis must relate to the process Myra seeks to improve.
When both the functional(business) and technical (IT) requirements are identified the systemrequirements are complete enough that you can then begin looking for a specificsolution to meet the needs of UMUC Haircuts.Researching and finding an appropriate system to improve the process atUMUC Haircuts will be done in Stage 4.
Analysis of IT Requirements:
IT Requirement: The areas to be considered are listed in thetable. Be sure to research each term toensure understanding as to whether and how it would apply to the UMUC Haircutsprocess being improved and the data it uses.A table of sources of the definitions of the requirements is providedbelow to assist you. Be sure you use adefinition that applies to IT and this assignment and not a generic definitionof the term.
Rankings: High/Medium/Low Importance or Relevance or Not Applicable (N/A): You will rank each requirement as to how important or relevant it is tothe process being improved and the data it uses. Each will be ranked as High Medium or Lowor Not Applicable to the process and its data.
Explanation ofRanking: Using the definition of the term youresearched and the ranking you selected provide an explanation and tell howthis requirement applies to the UMUC Haircuts process and the data it uses orwhy it does not apply. All requirements mustbe ranked and a thorough explanation that demonstrates understanding of thetopic must be provided. Please note thateven N/A items require an explanation.A minimum of three good sentences should be used for eachexplanation.
Theresponses that you enter into the table for each requirement must be aligned tothe specific business process to be improved and the data it uses and must be appropriateto the UMUC Haircuts business. Be sureto consider the type of data (inputs and outputs from Stage 2) that the system will handle as you determine the applicabilityand importance of each consideration. Ifa requirement is not relevant to the process mark it N/A. Remember to provide a thorough explanationfor every item under consideration including those marked N/A.
Do not try tocreate a reason if there is none but carefully analyze each requirement anddetermine whether it applies and how.Explanations must provide enough information to convey the reasoningbehind the ranking and to demonstrate that you understand the requirement. DO NOTcopy definitions into the table; use your own words to explain the terms.
Example: If the process to be improved is the methodfor customers to use to pay for their haircuts or salon visits then for the requirementof Usability the following might be entered.Note the thorough explanation of the ranking that demonstrates an understandingof usability.
Requirement
High/Medium/Low Importance or Relevance or NotApplicable (N/A)
Explanation for Ranking
Usability
High
Since the customerswill use a system to make their payments it must be easy to understand andeasy to use. It would be inappropriate to require any training forcustomers. If it is too complicated customers will not use it.Inaddition front desk staff should be able to easily learn the system withoutextensive training. That is an entry level job with frequentturnover.so having a system that is intuitive and easy to navigate iscritical.
Course Resources (for Weeks 1-5)
Where to find the definitions of IT Requirements
Usability
System Quality Attributes (Week3)
Maintainability
System Quality Attributes (Week3)
Scalability
System Quality Attributes (Week3)
Reliability
System Quality Attributes (Week3)
Availability
System Quality Attributes (Week3)
Performance
System Quality Attributes (Week3)
Security
System Quality Attributes (Week3)
Data Accuracy
Characteristics of Data Quality (Week 4)
Data Completeness
Characteristics of Data Quality (Week 4)
Authentication
Chapter 6 (Week 4)
Enterprise Systems (ERP CRM SCM)
Chapter 3 (Week 3)various Week 5 readings
Networks
Chapter 5(Week 3)
Database
Chapter 4 (Week 4)
Data Warehouse
Chapter 4 (Week 4)
Data Mining
Chapter 4 (Week 4)
Business Intelligence
Chapter 4 (Week 4)
Decision Support System
Chapter 7 (Week 1)
Business-to-Business eCommerce
Variousreadings (Week 2)
Business-to-Consumer eCommerce
Variousreadings (Week 2)
Assignment:UMUC Haircuts Stage 3: Create a documentthat includes:
I.Introduction
At the top of your paper show the generic strategy for competitiveadvantage that Myra selected and the business process she has chosen to improve(see the Stage 1 assignment) using the following format:
Generic Strategy for Competitive Advantage: xxxxxxx (just name the strategy)
Business Process to Be Improved:xxxxxxxxx (just name the process)
II.Table of IT Requirements
Copythe table below into your paper.
Rankeach requirement as High Medium or Low in Importance/Relevance or NotApplicable (N/A) to a system to improve the process
Explaineach ranking as described in the table including explanations for N/A.
Definitionsof the IT requirements are listed in Course Resources table above.
IT Requirement
Importance/Relevance
High
Medium
Low or
Not Applicable (N/A)
Explanation for Ranking
(Write a minimum of 3 good sentences for each; both the processto be improved and the case study should be mentioned in eachexplanation; the data used in the process should be included in theexplanation where applicable.)
1
Usability
2
Maintainability
3
Scalability
4
Reliability/ Availability
5
Extensibility
6
Portability
7
Security
8
Data Accuracy
9
DataCompleteness
10
Authentication
11
EnterpriseSystems (ERP CRM SCM)
12
Networks
13
Database
14
Data Warehouse
15
Data Mining
16
Business Intelligence
17
DecisionSupport System
18
Business-to-BusinesseCommerce
19
Business-to-ConsumereCommerce
Formatting:
For academic writing the writer is expected to write inthe third person. In third person the writer avoids the pronouns I we myand our. The third person is used to make the writing more objective by takingthe individual the self out of the writing. This method is very helpful foracademic writing a form in which facts not opinion drive the tone of thetext. Writing in the third person allows the writer to come across as unbiasedand thus more informed.
Submit one document thatincludes the Table of Requirements.
Table entries should besingle spaced.
Use APA formatted citationsand references for any external sources used.
Include a title pageand a reference page if references are included.
Compare your final workto the rubric to be sure you have met content and quality criteria.
Submit your paper as aWord document or a document that can be read in Word.
Your submission shouldinclude your last name first inthe filename: Lastname_firstname_Stage_3
GRADING RUBRIC:
ISFM-300 CaseStudy Stage 3 Rubric: IT Requirements
Criteria
90-100%
Far Above Standards
80-89%
Above Standards
70-79%
Meets Standards
60-69%
Below Standards
< 60% Well Below Standards Possible Points High/ Medium/ Low or N/A Rankings 18-20 Points Rankings all demonstrate a strong understanding of courseconcepts analysis and critical thinking; and are appropriate for thebusiness in the case study and the process. 16-17 Points Most rankings demonstrate an understanding of course conceptsanalysis and critical thinking; and are appropriate for the business in thecase study and the process. 14-15 Points Rankingsare designated and demonstrate a basic understanding of course concepts oranalysis. 12-13 Points Rankingsare provided but selection may be lacking in demonstration of understandingof course concepts or analysis. 0-11 Points Fewif any rankings provided or rankings are not appropriate for the processand/or the case study. 20 Explanations for Rankings 54-60 Points Explanationsare at least three good sentences which use course vocabulary to clearly andconvincingly justify rankings; demonstrate a strong understanding of courseconcepts analysis and critical thinking; and are focused on the business inthe case study and the process and its data. 48-53 Points Explanations are at least three good sentences which usecourse vocabulary to clearly justify most rankings and demonstrate anunderstanding of course concepts analysis and critical thinking; and arefocused on the business in the case study and the process and its data. 42-47 Points Explanationsare at least three good sentences that justify rankings and refer to the casestudy process and/or its data. 36-41 Points Severalexplanations are less than three good sentences and/or do not adequatelyjustify rankings; may be lacking in demonstration of understandingof course concepts analysis and/or critical thinking; or are not focused onthe business in the case study. 0-35 Points Few if any explanations are provided; explanations are incompleteor not compatible with rankings; orlittle effort demonstrated. 60 Table Format 18-20 Points Informationis professionally presented clear and easily understood; is written in thirdperson and uses course vocabulary correct sentence structure grammar andspelling. Any references used are listed and cited using APA style. 16-17 Points Informationis presented well; is clear and uses correct sentence structure; written inthird person and has few grammar and spelling errors. Any references used are listed and citedusing APA style. 14-15 Points Informationis presented with some grammar and/or spelling errors. Any references used are listed and citedusing APA style. 12-13 Points Informationis not professionally presented may not be clearly written and/or containsseveral grammar and/or spelling errors or errors in use of APA style forreferences/ citations. 0-11 Points Informationis extremely poorly written; has many grammar and/or spelling errors; and/ordoes not convey the information adequately. 20 TOTAL PointsPossible 100 2. Before you begin this assignment be sure you: 1. Have completed all previously assigned readings particularly thoseassigned in Weeks 3 and 4 of the class. 2. Re-read the UMUC Haircuts Case Study and the Stage 1 2 & 3assignments and review the Walmart Example. 3. Review Instructorfeedback from previous assignment submissions. Overview of ITSolution and Next Steps for UMUC Haircuts For your Case StudyStage 1 assignment you performed a Five Forces Analysis and justifiedMyra's chosen generic strategy for competitive advantage and the business process that shewould like to improve through the application of technology. For your Stage 2 assignment you identified the inputsprocessing and outputs of Myra's selected business process.Thoseinputs processing and outputs form the functional(business) requirements for an IT system to improve the process. In Stage 3 you identified the IT requirements by evaluating theirapplicability and importance in a new system to be implemented to improve theidentified business process for UMUC Haircuts. Following your analysis of the business environmentand the business and IT requirements Myra Morningstar has decided to move aheadand implement an IT solution. She hasasked you to identify an IT solution and explain what the steps would be toimplement it. Since UMUC Haircuts is a small business Myra shouldtake advantage of a Software as a Service (SaaS) or a cloud-based system thathas already been developed and is maintained and operated by a vendor. You should do some research and find avendor-provided solution that will support the process that is beingimproved. Refer to the process model andyour Stage 2 inputs processing and outputs that define the businessrequirements; and refer to your Stage 3 IT requirements as you select anappropriate solution. Consider the costof the solution as you make your choice so that your recommended solution willbe affordable for Myra. For this assignment you will prepare a shortpaper explaining your proposed ITsolution and the next steps inthe implementation of that solution. Thenext steps will include everything that Myra needs to do from getting asubscription to the software (or otherwise arranging to use it) to purchasinghardware to preparing employees and implementing the system. The specific steps and how they areaccomplished will be different for different system solutions. Assignment:UMUC Haircuts Stage 4: Write a short paper that includes: I.Introduction: Introducewhat is to come in your paper and include the generic strategy for competitiveadvantage and the business process to be improved. II.Proposed IT Solution: Identify the vendor and the system you selected toimprove the process at UMUC Haircuts.Explain why you selected that system over others including how it bestmeets the business requirements (see Stage 2) and IT requirements (see Stage 3)of UMUC Haircuts. Explain if/how costwas a factor in your selection. III.Implementation Steps: Identify and explain the steps Myra will haveto take to implement the system you have proposed. Include: a. Vendoragreement What does Myra need to do in order to be able to start using thesystem? How much will it cost to use thesystem? b. Hardwareand Telecommunications What hardware will Myra need to install at UMUCHaircuts in order to implement the solutions?What kind of telecommunications will be needed for the solutionincluding local connectivity inside UMUC Haircuts and Internet access? How will she acquire the necessary hardwarecomponents and Internet access? c. Configuration What options does the vendor offer for configuring the system to UMUCHaircuts' needs? How will theconfiguration be done and by whom? d. Testing How will Myra test the system to see if it is working properly for her needs? e. Employeepreparation What will Myra need to do to prepare her employees to use the newsystem? f. Data Migration How will the current employee work schedules be entered into the system toget started? How will the customerappointments that have already been made for future dates be entered? g. Systemuse Who will use the system and for what purposes? When users have questions about how to usethe system how will they get answers? h. Maintenance Who will provide updates and corrections to the system? IV.Conclusion: Close yourpaper with a brief summary of the entire project and what benefits Myra canexpect to gain from it. References: Incorporate at least one externalresource (NOTE: two or more externalresources are required to receive all possible points) into your paper on anarea of your choice. An externalresource is a resource other than thoseprovided in the class or textbook. Incorporatea properly formatted APA citation in the text of your document. Then place an APA style list of referencesat the end of your paper. Formatting: Write a short concise paperabout 3-4 pages in length. Your paper should bedouble-spaced. For academic writing the writer is expected to write in the thirdperson. In third person the writer avoids the pronouns I we my and our. Thethird person is used to make the writing more objective by taking theindividual the self out of the writing. This method is very helpful foracademic writing a form in which facts not opinion drive the tone of thetext. Writing in the third person allows the writer to come across as unbiasedand thus more informed. Use at least oneexternal resource (two for full credit) with APA formatted citation andreference. Include a title page anda reference page. Compare your final workto the rubric to be sure you have met content and quality criteria. Submit your paper as aWord document or a document that can be read in Word.