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.
What you will study
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:
the sociotechnical nature of IT systems
how we understand success and failure in IT systems
how to analyse and avoid systems failure
the complex nature of systems.
Block 2 looks at how to create conditions for success in IT systems through:
the use of effective sociotechnical systems design
an understanding and use of appropriate methodologies
an understanding of reliability and dependability in IT systems
an analysis of security and privacy.
In Block 3, you will examine how to ensure continued success in established IT systems through:
exploring the maintenance and evolution of IT systems
an understanding of future trends, including scenario planning
disaster recovery and business continuity planning
an exploration of the links between the digital divide and long-term sustainability.
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.
Entry requirements
This module builds on study skills and subject knowledge acquired from study at OU levels 1 and 2.
You should be able to:
use your computer to carry out tasks such as writing with a word-processor, saving and locating files, installing software and accessing a website
perform simple calculations
read and understand written English of a style and complexity characteristic of a professional magazine or quality newspaper
write clearly in English.
Teaching and assessment
Support from your tutor
You’ll get help and support from an assigned tutor throughout your module.
They’ll help by:
marking your assignments and offering detailed feedback to help you improve
providing individual guidance, whether that’s for general study skills or specific module content
guiding you to additional learning resources
facilitating online discussions between your fellow students in the dedicated forums.
Online tutorials run throughout the module. While they’re not compulsory, we strongly encourage you to participate. Where possible, we’ll make recordings available.
Assessment
Course work includes:
3 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs)
End-of-module assessment
What's included
You’ll have access to a module website, which includes:
a week-by-week study planner
course-specific module materials
audio and video content
assessment details and submission section
online tutorial access
access to student forums.
We also provide physical:
module books.
Computing requirements
Primary device – A desktop or laptop computer with at least 8 GB of RAM and a quad-core processor (2.4 GHz minimum speed). It’s possible to access some materials on a mobile phone, tablet or Chromebook; however, they will not be suitable as your primary device.
Peripheral device – Headphones/earphones with a built-in microphone for online tutorials.
Operating systems – Windows 11 or the latest supported macOS.
Internet access – Broadband or mobile connection.
Browser – Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge are recommended; Mozilla Firefox and Safari may be suitable.
Our OU Study app operates on supported versions of Android and iOS.
Software – Any additional software will be provided or is generally available for free.
If you have a disability
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.
Future availability
IT systems: planning for success (TM353) starts once a year – in October.
It will next start in October 2027.
We expect it to start for the last time in October 2028.