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Reminder about examination case study

Written by: Jonathan Briggs

December 9, 2005 [3344 views]

I have already given you these guidelines in the module guide but I thought I would give you them again separately.

The module will be assessed by examination only (single 2 hour exam). The exam will consist of two parts: one multiple choice paper plus one short answer paper.

The short answer paper will be based on an activity that you must complete during the semester. You will take a report produced during the semester into the exam and hand it in along with your exam answers.

You will NOT be expected to memorise or to copy large sections of your report onto the exam paper but re-present key ideas in answer to specific questions.

You will work in a small group to complete the activity (Groups must not be larger than 4 people). If you choose to work alone then you should still complete all the deliverables as outlined below.

The work will involve the creation of a proposal for the improvement of an existing electronic business.

Case study deliverables

Create an outline proposal suitable for presentation to the company or organisation
Please note that you must complete this activity in order to answer the examination questions!

It will not be possible to invent a case study for yourself inside the examination room!

Format for the case study document

This should propose detailed improvements to the existing business.

The following headings are indicative of what should be included and provide a guideline of the maximum length (10 pages – strict limit):

a. Clear identification of client with background notes on their business (1)
b. Recommendations for improvement (1)
c. Discussion of their audience, market and identification of demand (1)
d. Review against competitors / similar businesses within their market (1)
e. Technology Plan – what hardware and software would you use to develop the solution? (1)
f. Top-level implementation plan – what steps would you take to implement the project(1)
g. Estimates for costs of implementation at industry rates
h. Budget& revenue – what would be your expected revenues from the improvements suggested?

Recent comments:

On December 14, 2005 at 9:15 PM, K0226061 wrote:

just wanted to ask,, how do we identify demand!!
thnx

Jonathan replies: It has to be an estimate. You can use tools like Overture to try and see how many people are looking for specific terms or items.

On December 15, 2005 at 1:06 PM, Tunji johnson wrote:

hello?
Plz. . . . where is the lecture notes on the security we had on last lecture day with jarek.

Jonathan replies: Now published. Sorry I was away.

On December 16, 2005 at 6:14 PM, Jagde Sekhon wrote:

Hi jonathan, I need to ask you a favour, will it be possible for you to send me my filled out surveys to my email address, as my computer got infected with a virus and my work has been all scrapped, as I need information for my case study. I would really appreciate it if you could please do me this favour. Thank you

Jonathan replies: I'm afraid that it is impossible to separate individual surveys as the results are aggregated.

On January 5, 2006 at 10:03 AM, Christian Xavier wrote:

Hi Jonathan, Happy New Year, I hope you enjoyed the festive season. I've been looking at the case study and I was wondering where would be the best place to get information concerning estimates for costs of implementation at industry rates.
Yours Sincerely
Christian Xavier

Jonathan replies: I have given you some figures but I suggest http://www.e-consultancy.com

On January 6, 2006 at 9:53 PM, b wrote:

where is the exam and what time will it be??

Jonathan replies: Exams are run by the University and you should have received a timetable from the School Office.

On January 9, 2006 at 4:24 PM, JAT wrote:

I want to do my report on a company called shazam as i have been researching it for a while and have done activities on it. I just want to make sure it is ok to do it on the company called shazam etertanment? if you could give me the a ok.

Jonathan replies: I cannot approve individual companies as choosing one is part of the exercise.

On January 10, 2006 at 8:17 PM, amrita k wrote:

when is the deadline to hand in the report? can we make changes to it fbefore the exam?

Jonathan replies: The deadline for the report IS the examination. You take it with you and hand it in at the end of the exam.

On January 11, 2006 at 3:44 PM, Bharat Gosai wrote:

So the case study, can act as reference for some of the written exam questions?

Jonathan replies: Absolutely - you bring the case study into the exam and hand it in with your answers

On January 11, 2006 at 4:49 PM, Ruchi wrote:

I am finding it impossible to find information for my site, on the estimated costs and for the budget and revenues. I have found all the other information that I need, I really don't know what tio do and am panicking! Also, in the exam, do you want to see our estimated costs in person days?

Jonathan replies: Don't panic. Just be sensible and make estimates. You can usually use the traffic estimate to get a sense of how many people visit the site, conversion rates of 1-2% are typical and you should have an idea of average order value from what they sell. As they say in the US - do the math!

Person days is a good way of describing work and budgets.

On January 11, 2006 at 6:02 PM, BB wrote:

Hi,
With my chosen company the improvment is basicallly to re-design the current website to include e-commerce...how do i break this down when in questions it asks to list a few improvements??

Jonathan replies: Just saying "add ecommerce" is not enough. You need to think through how that would work, how you would integrate the shop with the rest of the site, how you would promote the shop, help custmers make decisions, stand out from competitors. Everyone should be able to come up with 10 improvements for almost any site.

On January 12, 2006 at 11:47 AM, Ben Edwards wrote:

Hi Jonathan, for recommendations for improvement I have categorised it into two parts, technical and business. The technical parts includes navigation, optimisation etc and the business include PayPerClick, improving PageRank etc. Is it ok to structure the case study in this way?

Jonathan replies: Sounds great!

On January 12, 2006 at 2:23 PM, Gordon wrote:

Hi Jonathan,

In the casestudy is it possible to add extra sections like strategies i.e improving search engine positions, PPC advertising etc? as long as stay within 10 page limit.

Regards

Jonathan replies: Of course - but 10 pages is the limit. Remember that you can use a highlighting pen, add annotations and use diagrams. It must all be handed in!

On January 12, 2006 at 4:21 PM, Mitul wrote:

Hi Jonathan,

Nothing to do with the exam... but possibly with e-marketing...

Been reading some really interesting articles... and I have come across a new e-marketing scheme (if it is new)... 'Million Dollar Pixels'...

The concept behind it: You buy pixels (minimum 100) which are displayed on the website home page. When you buy some pixels, you can then display an image/ad/logo of your choice in the space you have purchased.

What interests me is why any organisation/person would want to buy 'pixels'? Other than making the website owner rich... and very quick... I don't understand why anyone would want to visit a website with adverts?

Unless of course the website will give you a good PageRank/Alexa Rank.... But the question is, is it worth it?

P.s. A 21 year old is now a millionaire because of this scheme!

P.s.s. You can buy the 'Million Dollar' script...:D

Jonathan replies: This was one of those ideas (known as a meme) that somebody has and they make a lot of money from it. It is not repeatable.

You need to think of something even wackier.

What do you think?

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This site is an educational resource, a research project and a publication channel written by Jonathan Briggs, Professor of eCommerce at Kingston University.
As well as being Professor at Kingston, Jonathan...

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