Design team members: Shannon McLaren
Supervisor: Professor Paul Guild
Background
The Management of Technology, Distance Education Option is a masters program available to engineers, and scientists who's jobs involve technology management. The program, offered through the Management Sciences department is part time and is taken through the Internet.
The program appeals to people who wish to pursue a masters degree while working full-time. It is also convenient as it allows people to pursue course work at their own convenience.
There is no formal support system in place. Currently, one can contact staff or faculty in the Management Sciences department. Often, people seeking assistance do not know how to best direct their questions. The result being that responses can take some time, especially if the questions must be redirected.
Project description
The program requires a comprehensive support system for those students who are currently enrolled and for customers seeking further information about the program. A needs analysis was performed to determine the type of setup best suited to students, potential applicants and staff. It was determined that all would benefit from the design and implementation of remote support system.
The system designed must not provide the same level of detail to potential applicants as it does to students that are enrolled in the program. The main reason for this is that until they are enrolled, they do not require the same type of assistance. The system will be easy to expand upon and will improve the turn around time associated with most types of questions.
Design methodology
What
is
needed?
In
order
to
develop
a
tool
that
will
actually
be
used
by
those
for
whom
it
is
intended,
it
is
necessary
to
know
the
"customers".
To
achieve
this
a
questionnaire
was
employed.
The
questions
requested
information
regarding
the
types
of
questions
people
would
like
to
answered.
Wherever
possible
questions
involved
a
seven
point
scale.
The
means
indicating
the
extent
to
which
students
would
like
to
be
able
to
access
help
in
a
particular
domain.
Interviews were also carried out with the faculty and staff that are involved in the Management of Technology program. These provided insight as to the types of problems students have encountered in the past, as well as how to direct questions that require staff assistance.
Design
The
help
system
will
be
designed
such
that
students
can
access
the
information
that
they
need
when
they
need
it.
Security
concerns
must
be
addressed
for
anything
implemented.
Some
areas
require
greater
security
than
others.
For
instance,
receiving
a
student's
marks
through
the
help
system
must
be
restricted
to
only
the
student
involved,
while
a
comparison
of
the
Management
of
Technology
program
to
an
MBA
should
be
available
to
anyone
interested.
Based on the Needs Analysis questionnaires and the interviews with staff and faculty, certain areas will receive more initial effort. Areas of high priority to students will be developed first, with some consideration given to ease of implementation.
The initial Management of Technology support system should be available for use in the Summer 2000 term. If there are areas that require further attention, these will be addressed and a design will be provided for implementation at a later time.