A Diploma in Business and IT Strategy Alignment

This programme provides candidates with a strong understanding of the impact IT systems and services have within modern business environments, and the important relationship between business and information technology strategy development and alignment.  The diploma is aimed at those who are seeking a career as an IT consultant, a business or systems analyst, or for those in managerial roles who are a seeking to leverage IT for competitive advantage.

• The ideal candidate should have basic experience of IT or Business, and/or
• Anyone who wishes to go on to learn more / pursue a career in an IT or Business related consultancy or managerial role

Programme Aims and Objectives

The overall aim of this programme is to provide candidates with the necessary theoretical and practical skills, knowledge and competencies required of a business or systems analyst facing IT related resource development and implementation decisions. This is gained through a comprehensive and strong foundation in organisational business process examination, business process reengineering through IT software and services solution mapping, and socio-technical systems thinking.

Specific objectives are:

1. Conduct an examination of the micro and macro business environment and the concepts, tools and techniques that facilitate strategic analysis
2. Develop a broad understanding of the relationship between business and information technology, and how information technology can establish and maintain a competitive advantage
3. Critically compare proprietary and open source software models and how they can support and affect IT business related solutions
4. Investigate emerging technologies and assess how these can, or should be used, for specific business strategies

Programme Content

The programme comprises the following four units:

Assessment

This module will be assessed through continuous assessment and a project.   Continuous assessment will require candidates to examine the relationship between information technology and competitive advantage, and critically evaluate the tools for strategic planning and organisational development. The project will require learners to critically analyse a business, and its functions and processes, and assess if emerging technologies can deliver competitive advantage.

Career Progression Opportunities and Further Study Options

It is envisioned that graduates will be able to fulfil a wide range of entry-level and mid-level managerial roles within a business or IT environment, and/or engage in further study in a wide range of areas within Computing and Information Technology at Irish NQF Levels 6, 7 and Level 8, to further develop their careers.

Additional Information

All course material is included in the programme fee. Fees are payable by credit card, debit card, bank transfer, bank draft or cheque. All fees must be paid before the programme begins. Please note that CCT closes on public holidays and for a number of days over the Christmas and New Year holiday period. CCT reserves the right to postpone, cancel, or alter part-time courses without notice, or to change any of the details in the college website or brochures at any time. Fees are not refundable unless the course is cancelled by CCT.

CCT certificates are provided as formal recognition by CCT of the completion of a programme of CPD. As professional development programmes these are distinct from accredited higher education programmes.

Successful completion of a CCT certificate may, at the discretion of a HEI, be used to support applications for admission to, or exemptions within, higher education programmes leading to an award on the NFQ.