Ifsm 370 white paper instructions

White Paper

IFSM 370 White Paper Instructions

 

Introduction

 

Each student must complete a White Paper that proposes a telecommunications solution to address a communications problem for a business organization.  The target audience will be the organization’s Chief Information Officer (CIO).  The White Paper deliverable is an MS Word document.

 

The completed White Paper deliverable is due by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on the due date shown in the Course Schedule.  See the Additional Information section of the syllabus for the penalty for late or missed assignments and projects.

 

The White Paper is valued at 12% of the course grade.

 

Scenario

Metric Machine Parts and Supplies Corporation

 

With 75,000 customers worldwide, 250 employees working in four locations in the United States and three European offices, and a catalog of more than 100,000 parts, Metric Machine Parts and Supplies Corp. (MMPS) relies on its network for its survival. In the past decade, MMPS has seen its business grow from just one location and a few local customers to the worldwide supplier it is today. But in the process of growing exponentially, it has overwhelmed its telecommunications network, which is currently managed by an outside telecommunications network management company. The network crashes frequently, resulting in customer service and e-mail interruptions that are costly to the company. The network management company is not responsive to MMPS, a relatively small customer, and often disagrees that there is even a problem. Since the contract with the service provider is about to expire, MMPS has decided to seek a better network solution.

 

The Chief Information Officer (CIO) has outlined the key requirements for a new network for MMPS. He has explained to the executive board that a new network would have the following characteristics:

 

1. Availability: Business operations require maximum uptime, and quick repairs when needed.
2. Reliability: The network must function as designed and produce accurate results.
3. Scalability: MMPS continues to grow at a rapid rate, and there are plans for acquisition of several small parts suppliers; the network must support this growth.
4. Security: The confidentiality and integrity of MMPS’s data is of great importance, as is the protection of its customers’ data.
5. Flexibility: The new network must be responsive to the changing needs of the business.
6. Performance: The network must provide quick access for employees and customers.
7. Manageability: The network must be designed and implemented so that it can be managed by a small team of centrally located IT specialists.
8. Economic efficiency: The ongoing operations and maintenance costs should offset the initial investment costs, reducing the long-term total cost of ownership of the network.

 

MMPS’s executives have agreed that they need a business network with higher reliability, security, and scalability, but with lower costs, than the existing externally managed network. The CIO has proposed that MMPS design and implement its own network, using advanced technologies for high availability, efficiency, and security management, that can be operated by a very small IT department. He proposes to use virtual private network technologies to connect remote offices and users securely and to facilitate company expansion.

 

The Deliverable

The CIO has asked you to develop a three-page white paper that provides the following:

 

• definition of the business or technical problem
• discussion of the problem within the context of the scenario
• recommendation of the application of technology, processes, and policies that solve the problem
• discussion of the impact or risks of the applied solution within the context of business strategy and managerial perspective
• identification, analysis, and mitigation of risks of the recommended solution

 

Briefly define the business problem, and discuss it in the context of the scenario. Briefly describe the proposed technology solution, processes, and policies to solve the problem. You should demonstrate your critical thinking as you incorporate the course concepts and explain the business needs and solutions. Then discuss the impact or risks of the applied solution within the context of the business strategy and managerial perspective. Then discuss the challenges and security risks that result from implementing the proposed solution. Propose mitigation strategies for the challenges and risks identified.

 

Your deliverable will be a white paper three pages in length, not counting the cover page and references page. At least two external sources (other than the textbook and other materials provided in the course) must be used, and citations and references must be in APA format. Your paper will be graded according to the grading rubric below. Be sure you have incorporated all required aspects of the assignment.

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Grading Rubric

               

	Attribute		Full points	Partial points	No points	Possible Points
	The business problem		The business problem is defined and discussed in sufficient depth to set the stage for the proposed solution, and demonstrates critical thinking and understanding of the course concepts.	The business problem is partially defined and/or discussed; it may not adequately set the stage for the proposed solution and/or may not demonstrate critical thinking and understanding of course concepts.	The business problem is not defined.	10
	Proposed technology solution		The proposed technology solution appropriately addresses the business scenario/problem, and demonstrates understanding of course concepts, analysis, and critical thinking.	The proposed technology solution somewhat addresses the business scenario/problem; it may be lacking in demonstration of understanding of course concepts, analysis, and/or critical thinking.	No technology solution is proposed.	25
	Proposed processes and policies for the technology solution		Processes and policies relevant to the proposed solution are presented; work demonstrates understanding of course concepts, analysis, and critical thinking.	The processes and policies somewhat address the business scenario/problem; work may be lacking in demonstration of understanding of course concepts, analysis, and/or critical thinking.	No proposed processes or policies are presented.	10
	Impact/risks in context of business strategy and managerial perspective		Impact and risks relevant to the proposed solution and the business strategy are presented from a managerial perspective; work demonstrates understanding of course concepts, analysis, and critical thinking.	Impact and risks are somewhat relevant to the proposed solution and/or the business strategy; they may or may not be presented from a managerial perspective; and they may be lacking in demonstration of understanding of course concepts, analysis, and/or critical thinking.	No impact or risks are presented.	10
	Challenges and security risks identified		Challenges and risks of the proposed solution are appropriately identified; work demonstrates understanding of course concepts, analysis, and critical thinking.	Challenges and risks of the proposed solution are partially identified and/or explained; work may be lacking in demonstration of understanding of course concepts, analysis, and/or critical thinking.	Challenges and risks are not included, or do not apply to the proposed solution.	15
	Mitigation strategies		Appropriate mitigation strategies are provided and thoroughly explained. All risks of the proposed solution are addressed.	Mitigation strategies are somewhat appropriate and/or partially explained. They may only partially address the risks of the proposed solution.	No mitigation strategies are provided.	10
	External research		At least two sources other than the textbook (and other course material) are incorporated and used effectively.	One or two sources other than the course material may be used, but they are not properly incorporated or used and/or are not effective or appropriate.	No external research is incorporated.	10
	Report format		The report reflects effective organization and correct sentence structure, grammar, and spelling; it is presented in a professional format; and references are appropriately incorporated and cited, using APA style.	The report is not well-organized, and/or contains grammar and/or spelling errors; and/or it does not follow APA style for references and citations.	The report is extremely poorly written and does not convey the information.	10
	Total Points					100