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Business Change Management

Module description

As a digital leader you will consider the importance and impact of technology enabled processes within the parameters of your role and the organisation you work in. You will assess how you can improve your strategic approach to the activities and processes you are responsible for. This module will introduce key theories and approaches to business transformation, developing technology roadmaps and implementation strategies which are designed to improve productivity and functionality. Lastly, you will consider how you can improve your stakeholder management capabilities in relation to change management.

This module is a part of MSc Digital and Technology Solutions (Integrated Degree Apprenticeship) programme. It cannot be taken as an elective by students on other programmes.

The apprenticeship standard and other documentation relating to the Level 7 Digital and Technology Solutions (IT/Digital Futures Specialist) Apprenticeship can be found here: https://www.instituteforapprenticeships.org/apprenticeship-standards/digital-and-technology-solutions-specialist-integrated-degree/

Module aims - intentions of the module

The module aims to provide an understanding of how to develop a business case for technological change, including competitive advantage, value creation and financial justification. Alongside, the module aims to provide an understanding of approaches and techniques for managing change within technology organisations, along with evaluation of the limitations of these approaches/techniques when applied in practice. The module pays attention to the role of leaders and managers in the change management process, as well as engagement with wider stakeholders.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 1. Evaluate the strategic importance of technology enabled business processes, and how they are designed and managed to determine a firm’s ability to compete effectively
• 2. Analyse the principles of business transformation and how organisations integrate different management functions in the context of technological change
• 3. Critically examine how to justify the value of technology investments and apply benefits management and realisation
• 4. Appraise technology road-mapping concepts and methods and how to apply them

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 5. Design and develop technology roadmaps, implementation strategies and transformation plans focused on digital technologies to achieve improved productivity, functionality and end user experience in an area of technology specialism;
• 6. Plan how to deliver workplace transformations through planning and implementing technology-based business change programmes including setting objectives, priorities and responsibilities with others in an area of technology specialism

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 7. Negotiate and agree digital and technology specialism delivery budgets with those with decision-making responsibility;
• 8. Develop and deliver management level presentations which resonate with senior stakeholders, both business and technical
• 9. Develop effective technology leadership and change management skills for managing technology driven change and continuous improvement

Syllabus plan

Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, an example of an overall structure is as follows: 

• Strategic importance of technology enabled business processes and competitive advantage
• Principles of business transformation
• Value creation through technology services/products
• Business cases and cost-benefits analysis
• Design of technology enabled business processes
• Technology road-mapping concepts and methods
• Planning and implementation of technological change
• Setting objectives, priorities and responsibilities
• Stakeholder identification and management
• Negotiating and influencing

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Formative assessment

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Details of summative assessment

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Re-assessment notes

Deferral – if you have been deferred for any assessment you will be expected to submit the relevant assessment. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.

Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 50%) you will be expected to submit the relevant assessment. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of referral will be capped at 50%.

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

• Cameron, E. & Green, M. (2019). Making Sense of Change Management. London, UK: Kogan Page.
• Flanding, Grabman, G. M., & Cox, S. Q. (2018). The Technology Takers: Leading Change in the Digital Era (1st ed.). Emerald Publishing Limited.
• Park, H., Phaal, R., Ho, J., and O'Sullivan, E. (2020). Twenty years of technology and strategic roadmapping research: A school of thought perspective. Technological Forecasting and Social Change 154. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2020.119965.

Key words search

Change management; business transformation; technology investment