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Accessibility statement

An image to illustrate IT systems: planning for success module

IT systems are a critical part of our world – often interconnected combinations of technology, organisations and people and highly complex – yet they fail, often spectacularly. This module teaches you the skills to contribute towards successful IT systems. It draws on techniques from systems theory, software engineering and management to understand the nature of success and failure, design IT systems that succeed and ensure they’re robust in the face of future changes. You’ll also learn project-management skills and cover legal, social, ethical and professional issues.

IT systems are a complex sociotechnical mixture of technology (including hardware, software, and networking), organisations, and people. IT systems: planning for success (TM353) teaches skills for understanding and enabling success in each of these areas. The module's foundation is systems thinking: concepts and tools for making sense of the whole of a complex system, including the emergent relationships between its interconnected parts.

This module consists of three blocks.

In Block 1, you will look at:

Block 2 looks at how to create conditions for success in IT systems through:

In Block 3, you will examine how to ensure continued success in established IT systems through:

The theme of project management of IT systems, and how this links with legal, social, ethical and professional issues, runs throughout the module.

The three main teaching blocks cover key aspects of systems thinking. Each block includes a blend of printed and online text, pictures, animations, and practical activities. Specially recorded audio and video material, including interviews with leading researchers, experts, companies, and users from various countries, accompany the teaching material.

IT systems: planning for success (TM353) isn’t just about reading – it’s about learning through hands-on experience.

This module will help you to understand the:

It will give you the skills to:

This module provides many skills of vocational relevance in addition to the above, including the ability to:

You’ll get help and support from an assigned tutor throughout your module.

They’ll help by:

Online tutorials run throughout the module. While they’re not compulsory, we strongly encourage you to participate. Where possible, we’ll make recordings available.

Course work includes:

You’ll have access to a module website, which includes:

We also provide physical:

You can study this module on its own or use the credits you gain towards an Open University qualification.

TM353 is an option module in our:

IT systems: planning for success (TM353) starts once a year – in October.

It will next start in October 2026.

We expect it to start for the last time in October 2028.

As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the academic regulations, which are available on our Student Policies and Regulations website.

This module builds on study skills and subject knowledge acquired from study at OU levels 1 and 2.

You should be able to:

The OU strives to make all aspects of study accessible to everyone, and this Accessibility Statement outlines what studying TM353 involves. You should use this information to inform your study preparations and any discussions with us about how we can meet your needs.

To find out more about what kind of support and adjustments might be available, contact us or visit our Disability support website.

Start	End	Register by	England fee
03 Oct 2026	30 Jun 2027	10 Sep 2026	£2,044

There may be extra costs on top of the tuition fee, such as set books, a computer and internet access.

If your income is not more than £25,000 or you receive a qualifying benefit, you might be eligible for help with some of these costs after your module has started.

The Open University Student Budget Accounts Ltd (OUSBA) offers a convenient 'pay as you go' option to pay your OU fees, which is a secure, quick and easy way to pay. Please note that The Open University works exclusively with OUSBA and is not able to offer you credit facilities from any other provider. All credit is subject to status and proof that you can afford the repayments.

You pay the OU through OUSBA in one of the following ways:

Read more about Open University Student Budget Accounts (OUSBA).

Studying with The Open University can boost your employability. OU courses are recognised and respected by employers for their excellence and the commitment they take to complete. They also value the skills that students learn and can apply in the workplace.

Over 30,000 employers have used the OU to develop staff so far. If the module you’ve chosen is geared towards your job or developing your career, you could approach your employer to see if they will sponsor you by paying some or all of the fees.

You can pay part or all of your tuition fees upfront with a debit or credit card when you register for each module.

We accept American Express, Mastercard, Visa and Visa Electron.

We know that sometimes you may want to combine payment options. For example, you may wish to pay part of your tuition fee with a debit card and pay the remainder in instalments through an Open University Student Budget Account (OUSBA).

Please note: your permanent address/domicile will affect your fee status and, therefore, the fees you are charged and any financial support available to you. The fee information provided here is valid for modules starting before 31 July 2027. Fees typically increase annually. For further information about the University's fee policy, visit our

Fee Rules