Academic Handbook Course Descriptors and Programme Specifications

NCHNAP560 Information Technology Service Management Course Descriptor

Course Title Information Technology Service Management Faculty EDGE Innovation Unit (London)
Course code NCHNAP560 Course Leader Professor Scott Wildman (interim)
Credit points 15 Teaching Period This course will typically be delivered over a 6-week period.
FHEQ level 5 Date approved June 2020
Compulsory/
Optional 
Compulsory
Pre-requisites None
Co-requisites None

Course Summary

This course examines the frameworks and strategic approaches for the life cycle management of IT products—including planning, designing, developing, delivering—and for improving the IT services from a higher-level enterprise perspective—including managing disparate servers throughout the organisation. In the context of cloud computing, this course focuses on the strategic management of IT infrastructure, agile IT service, configuration, data and information security, and disaster recovery. Explores the strategies to provide values to customers.  Learners will have the opportunity to apply their knowledge of IT service management using industry-standard cloud-based technology e.g. using ServiceNow training.

Course Aims

  • Train learners in the fundamental principles of IT Service Management (ITSM) and best practice.
  • Train learners in understanding service organisations, drivers and relationships.
  • Train learners in Management Practices: General, Service and Technical.
  • Give learners the opportunity to explore ITSM practice.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of the course, learners will be able to:

Knowledge and Understanding

K1b Have knowledge and critical understanding of the fundamental principles of ITSM.
K2b Understand how ITSM can operate in an organisation to improve processes.
K3b Understand best management practice from a technical and non-technical perspective.

Subject Specific Skills

S1b Put ITSM into practice on a test system.
S2b Evaluate the best ITSM approach for a given case study and make recommendations.

Transferable and Professional Skills

T1bi Communicate management theories and ideas in writing.
T1bii Demonstrate a sound technical proficiency in written English and skill in selecting vocabulary so as to communicate effectively to specialist and non-specialist audiences.
T2b Problem solve through the lens of management theories.
T3b Critically evaluate information from a variety of sources.

Teaching and Learning

This is an e-learning course, taught throughout the year.

This course can be offered as a standalone short course.

Teaching and learning strategies for this course will include: 

  • On-line learning
  • On-line discussion groups
  • On-line assessment

Course information and supplementary materials will be available on the University’s Virtual Learning Environment (VLE).

Learners are required to attend and participate in all the formal and timetabled sessions for this course. Learners are also expected to manage their self-directed learning and independent study in support of the course.

The course learning and teaching hours will be structured as follows:

  • Off-the-job learning and teaching (6 days x 7 hours) = 42 hours
  • On-the-job learning (12 days x 7 hours) = 84 hours (e.g. 2 days per week for 6 weeks)
  • Private study (4 hours per week) = 24 hours

Total = 150 hours

Workplace assignments (see below) will be completed as part of on-the-job learning.

Assessment

Formative

Learners will be formatively assessed during the course by means of set assignments. These will not count towards the final degree but will provide learners with developmental feedback. 

Summative

Assessment will be in two forms:

AE   Assessment Type Weighting Online submission Duration Length
1 Report based on a workplace case study 70% Yes Requiring on average 25-35 hours to complete 2,500 words +/- 10%,  excluding data tables
2 Computer-based examination 30% Yes 1 hour

Feedback

Learners will receive formal feedback in a variety of ways: written (via email or VLE correspondence) and indirectly through online discussion groups. Learners will also attend a formal meeting with their Academic Mentor (and for apprentices, including their Line Manager). These bi- or tri-partite reviews will monitor and evaluate the learner’s progress.

Feedback is provided on summatively assessed assignments and through generic internal examiners’ reports, both of which are posted on the VLE.

Indicative Reading

Note: Comprehensive and current reading lists for courses are produced annually in the Course Syllabus or other documentation provided to learners; the indicative reading list provided below is used as part of the approval/modification process only.

Books 

  • Smith, K. J., (2017), The Practical Guide to World-Class IT Service Management, The Anima Group
  • Addy, R. (2007), Effective IT Service Management To ITIL and Beyond!, Berlin, Heidelberg : Springer Berlin Heidelberg

Journals

Learners are encouraged to consult relevant journals on IT service management. 

Electronic Resources

Learners are encouraged to consult relevant electronic resources on IT service management. 

Indicative Topics

  • Introduction to the elements of IT Service Management
  • Incidents, Service Requests, Service Catalogue and Problems Management
  • Knowledge Base, Service Level, Asset and Configuration Management

Version History

Title: NCHNAP560 Information Technology Service Management

Approved by: Academic Board

Location: Academic Handbook/BSc (Hons) Digital & Technology Solutions 

Version number Date approved Date published  Owner Proposed next review date Modification (As per AQF4) & category number
3.0 October 2022 January 2023 Scott Wildman June 2025 Category 1: Corrections/clarifications to documents which do not change approved content or learning outcomes

Category 3: Changes to Learning Outcomes

2.1 May 2022 May 2022 Scott Wildman September 2025 Category 1:
Corrections/clarifications to
documents which do not
change approved content.
2.0 January 2022 April 2022 Scott Wildman June 2025 Category 3: Changes to Learning Outcomes
1.0 June 2020 June 2020 Scott Wildman June 2025
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