Start Date
11-8-2016
Description
Aligning information systems (IS) solutions with business goals and needs are crucial for IS activities. IS professionals who are able to work closely with both the business and technical staff are key enablers of business-IT alignment. IS programs in higher education (HE) institutions have a long tradition of enabling graduates to develop the appropriate skills needed for their future careers. Yet, organizations are still having difficulty finding graduates who possess both the knowledge and skills that are best suited to their specific requirements. Prior studies suggest that IS curricula are often ill-matched with industry/business needs. We report on the business analysis curricula (re)design undertaken to align it with a key professional body for the IS industry. We present the approaches taken in the (re)designed module, and provide a discussion of the wider implications for IS curricula design. The results show a positive outcome for the HE and professional body partnership.
Recommended Citation
Tan, Yin Leng; Nakata, Keiichi; and Paul, Debra, "Aligning IS Programs with Industry: Linking Business Analysis Curricula Design with the Professional Body" (2016). AMCIS 2016 Proceedings. 31.
https://aisel.aisnet.org/amcis2016/ISEdu/Presentations/31
Aligning IS Programs with Industry: Linking Business Analysis Curricula Design with the Professional Body
Aligning information systems (IS) solutions with business goals and needs are crucial for IS activities. IS professionals who are able to work closely with both the business and technical staff are key enablers of business-IT alignment. IS programs in higher education (HE) institutions have a long tradition of enabling graduates to develop the appropriate skills needed for their future careers. Yet, organizations are still having difficulty finding graduates who possess both the knowledge and skills that are best suited to their specific requirements. Prior studies suggest that IS curricula are often ill-matched with industry/business needs. We report on the business analysis curricula (re)design undertaken to align it with a key professional body for the IS industry. We present the approaches taken in the (re)designed module, and provide a discussion of the wider implications for IS curricula design. The results show a positive outcome for the HE and professional body partnership.