Applied Coursework Guidance

Unit 2a - Investigation of an organisation

You need to produce an investigation of an organisation (or a department in a large organisation) and compile a portfolio that includes a report on:

• The different purposes for which the organisation/department uses ICT
• The ICT system used in the organisation/department, and how it meets the needs identified in (a).

(This must be the same organization in 2a and 2b.)

Investigation of an organization (10 marks)

Example 2a:

Introduction

The following report is about how (name of organization) uses ICT in the four main functional areas of the company: sales, purchasing, finance and operations and how ICT helps the business. I will be looking in detail at how ICT is used by (name of organization) to manage the operation of its stores in the UK. I have visited the (name of organization) manufacturer in (name of town) and collected this information. I have also visited the (name of organization) website.

Cover aspects such as history of the organisation.

Size of organisation.

Nature of its business.

The different functional areas at (name of organization)

1. Finance - managing the flow of money in and out of the organization.  This could cover:
   • The profit the organization makes
   • The income generated form new accounts and business
   • Money allocated for advertising and new products

How does ICT help this department?

2. Sales – The main business of the organisation, processing new transactions involving the sale of goods or services provided by the organisation (Do not forget online sales)

List the sales the organisation covers and what ICT they use to do this

The organisation collects information about customers buying habits, why do you think they do this?

Market research.

Advertising.

3. Operations - carrying out the main business of the organization.

The day to day things the customers use the organization for. (See GCSE Companion – Banking)

Discuss that business happens in real time when the ICT is work and in

4. Purchasing - processing transactions involving the purchase of goods or services required by the organization.  List what type of goods the organization buys. (Paper and electronic goods)

Communication methods

How do staff communication internally?

List some examples and explain these.

How do they communicate with customers?

List some examples and explain these.

Conclusion

Unit 2b – a report on the ICT system of the organisation/department and how it meets the needs identified in (2a)

Example 2b:

Overview of (name of organization) IT System

State why the organization uses ICT for its business.

What hardware do they use, CPU etc?

What do they input into their system and why, and what do they use to do this?

EG. Scanner, keyboard, barcode reader(magnetic strips)……

What is the expected output and why, and what do they use to do this?

EG. Printer, screen…

What processing goes on?

What they of storage do they use?

EG. Floppy disk, CD-ROM, Hard Drive………

What type of software do they use?

Microsoft, Bespoke….

What they of cables do they use?

EG. USB, parallel………

Evaluation