The course will cover the following topics:

• A brief introduction to software development
• Software development processes and ITIL
  • High-level view of software development processes
  • ITIL v3 in the context of software development: service design, service transition
  • IT architecture
• Sourcing options
  • Make vs. buy vs. rent
  • Decision criteria
  • Revising decisions
• Software license models
• Traditional models of software development
  • Development models including waterfall model, V model and spiral model
  • Standards and methods related to software development
  • Introduction to requirements engineering
• Agile models of software development
• Software development ecosystems
• Software product management
• Software innovation management

By the end of this course students should be able to:

• distinguish between the major IS sourcing options that currently exist;
• apply models to make well-founded IS sourcing decisions taking cost, benefits and risks into consideration;
• understand the implications of existing IT architectures, service portfolios and ecosystems on IS software development;
• understand the typical development models applied in software development;
• acknowledge globally recognised frameworks such as the IT infrastructure library;
• apply the skills and knowledge acquired in this course to real-world situations related to the acquisition and development of software in a business environment

Attendance is required during all sessions as individual and group activities will take place during the sessions (maximum of 20% absence is allowed). 

Exceptions can be made by prior agreement and with reasonable cause (e.g., overlapping exams). In case of absence during one graded session, there is an opportunity to complete an additional written, individual assessment.

This course will be taught in presence mode (however, depending on the Covid-19 situation, it might be switched into a hybrid mode format). It includes in-person classes (attendance required) with individual study such as guided reading and videos, where students can obtain fundamental knowledge of the topics covered in this course. In case of a hybrid/online format, additional videos explaining complex parts will be provided on LEARN. Discussions and group activities involving case studies are key elements of the learning and will be used to intensify the knowledge and foster the understanding of the theoretical foundations.

During the first module, the lecturers will introduce the format of the course, the topics covered and the scheduled assessments. The course content is structured in smaller modules including readings, videos and presentations. Moreover, practical examples or similar methods are made available.

For some previously announced modules, it is obligatory to familiarize with the topic and prepare theoretical input at home in order to be able to participate in the practical exercises and group work during the subsequent sessions.

The lecturers will be available for questions during Q&A sessions.

Formative assessment will be based on questions, discussions, activities, case studies, or homework in groups and individually. Formal grading of work and learning outcomes will be provided for each assessment via LEARN.

The weights of the assessment components are as follows:

• ITIL (individual): 20 points of the final grade
• case study (group work): 30 points of the final grade
• case study video activity (group work): 20 points of the final grade
• written exam (individual): 30 points of the final grade

Grading scale:

• 88-100 points: excellent (1)
• 76-87 points: good (2)
• 63-75 points: satisfactory (3)
• 51-62 points: sufficient (4)
• 0-50 points: insufficient (5)

Failure to attend or fully participate in individual or group assessments will result in a reduced number of points. For each assessment: “no show, no points.”

Assignments handed-in late will not be considered for grading. 

Please log in with your WU account to use all functionalities of read!t. For off-campus access to our licensed electronic resources, remember to activate your VPN connection connection. In case you encounter any technical problems or have questions regarding read!t, please feel free to contact the library at readinglists@wu.ac.at.

Students are welcome to discuss course-related issues in Q&A sessions, at the end of regular sessions and in the online chat room via MS Teams.

All course materials and assessments (except final exam) will be made available through LEARN.

In case of hybrid-mode: for the synchronous online sessions, breakout sessions and chat, MS Teams will be used.