Outline

Overview

Strategic Information Systems Sourcing has at its core the cost-effective sourcing and delivery of IS solutions with the aim of supporting and enabling business strategy. It covers the procurement of in-house systems, outsourcing strategies and third-party IS sourcing (for example from 'the cloud'). The focus of this unit is on managerial decisions in relation to the design, implementation and delivery of an IS sourcing strategy, and the governance of IS sourcing solutions. Students develop knowledge of the concepts, tools and methodologies used in the negotiation and development of an IS sourcing strategy.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Business Information Systems
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	Basic business information systems knowledge
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Na Liu, liu.na@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 1 September 2025

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Written work	Individual assignment II Reflective essay on in-class activities	15%	Formal exam period Due date: 17 Nov 2025 at 23:59 Closing date: 24 Nov 2025	2000 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
In-class quiz	Small continuous assessment Topic tests In-class mini quizzes	20%	Multiple weeks	10 mins	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Case Study Presentation on a chosen case study	5%	Multiple weeks	10 mins	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Individual assignment I Develop an information systems sourcing plan for a company	20%	Week 08 Due date: 26 Sep 2025 at 23:00 Closing date: 03 Oct 2025	2000 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Group Report IS pitching plan as a vendor	25%	Week 13 Due date: 03 Nov 2025 at 23:00 Closing date: 10 Nov 2025	3000 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Creative work	Video creation Marketing video for a chosen information system	15%	Week 13 Due date: 03 Nov 2025 at 23:00 Closing date: 10 Nov 2025	2 mins	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
= hurdle task ? = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Assessment Summary

Individual Assessments

Individual Assignment I

Individual Assignment II (Hurdle Task)

In-class Assessment: Five in-class assessments on different topics. Each takes 5 marks, and the best four will be counted.

Group Assessments:

Case Study Discussion: Every group presents one case study in class. The order is to be determined in class.

Group Project Report

Group Project Video

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Late Submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
There is no make up for the in-class assessment.

Assessment criteria

HD	High distinction	85 - 100
DI	Distinction	75 - 84
CR	Credit	65 - 74
PS	Pass	50 - 64	.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Introduction to IS sourcing	Seminar (3 hr)
Week 02	Strategic Management and Information Systems	Seminar (3 hr)
Week 03	IS Outsourcing Foundations	Seminar (3 hr)
Week 04	Business Process Analysis in IS Sourcing: BAM and CATWOE	Seminar (3 hr)
Week 05	Going to Market	Seminar (3 hr)
Week 06	Evaluating Sourcing Options and Vendors	Seminar (3 hr)
Week 07	Integrated Discussion of Sourcing Decision Making	Seminar (3 hr)
Week 08	Vendors' perspectives	Seminar (3 hr)
Week 09	Vendors' perspectives	Seminar (3 hr)
Week 10	FinOps: Financial Operations for Cloud Cost Optimization	Seminar (3 hr)
Week 11	Sourcing Risks and Control Strategies	Seminar (3 hr)
Week 12	Managing Transition and Post-Sourcing Operations	Seminar (3 hr)
Week 13	Revision	Seminar (3 hr)

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. Evaluate opportunities for outsourcing IT services within a range of business settings.
LO2. Demonstrate your understanding of the range of available outsourced IT services by selecting suitable services for a set of provided business scenarios.
LO3. Demonstrate understanding of the theories related to outsourcing by applying them to evaluate various outsourcing scenarios.
LO4. Evaluate strategic information systems sourcing decisions in a business setting.
LO5. Identify risks associated with outsourcing and describe the risk mitigation strategies that are commonly applied and suggest recommendations on suitable controls.
LO6. Demonstrate understanding of the sourcing process from a vendor perspective.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

This is a revived unit. The content has been updated.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment Summary

Late Submission

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

INFS6002: Strategic Information Systems Sourcing

Semester 2, 2025 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment Summary

Late Submission

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links