IST 754: Final Project in Telecommunications Systems Capstone Course, Spring 2013 Semester Credits: 3 Prerequisites: IST 601, IST 614, IST 618, IST 653, and IST 656 and IST 753 Departmental consent needed. Instructor: Dr. Milton Mueller (mueller@syr.edu ), Hinds 307, 443-5616 1 Course Objectives and Expectations IST 754 is a capstone project for TNM students. The experience is supposed to approximate a Master s thesis. The course is designed to facilitate a mastery of cost modeling techniques in a chosen topical area. By the end of the term, students should be able to conduct original research on the assessment of a telecommunication/networking systems cost of development, implementation, operation and maintenance and build a model that serves as a useful analytical and decision making tool. The research and analysis will be incorporated into a final report that includes a spreadsheet model. The final report, which will be approximately 50 pages of text, will demonstrate that you have used the model to analyze the problem and support decisions, developed a point of view on the topic, and can provide original contributions to a specific area of knowledge. Cost modeling and spreadsheet modeling are the primary research methods to be used in carrying out the project. You will be expected to develop a model that abstracts the correct features of complex telecommunication systems, and to reveal how the model helps us to discover new, practical ideas that we would not have thought of otherwise. Once a model is built, developing the methods of testing and verifying the model is a critical part of the project. You will collect the data to be summarized for analyzing your research problems. Cost-modeling projects will fall into one of three categories (business model; enterprise implementation; public policy see explanation below). In the beginning of semester, you will formulate the research problem you want to work on in consultation with the instructor. (See the course schedule). In the project, you can consult with the instructor and experts whom you might want to work with toward the goal of developing a project. In the course of developing the project, you will submit a written problem formulation, a project outline with basic model, a draft final paper, and a final paper with a presentation. All final projects are individual. The readings in the syllabus include some case studies and research materials. The book Spreadsheet Models and Decision Analysis (Ragsdale, 2003), the first chapter of which is available on line and which is on reserve in Bird Library, provides you with examples of how complex socio-technical systems can be modeled. The course material also includes 1
several good examples of cost models performed by prior students in this class. This can give you a starting point for developing your own ideas. 2 Project topical categories There are three basic types or objectives of cost modeling projects: - Business Plan Modeling This category of activity develops your own business model for a new telecommunication/information service that would be offered on a commercial or self-sustaining basis and thus includes demand analysis and related revenue and financial modeling as well as supply-side cost modeling. - Enterprise-level Design and Cost Modeling This category of activity develops a cost model of an implementation of a new networked information technology within a business firm. In this case, return on investment (ROI) becomes the key metric. - Public Policy Modeling This category of activity models the cost impact of new laws, regulations or government subsidies on businesses and consumers. Here, cost-benefit ratios and distributional effects (which subsets of the population are the winners and losers) become the critical element of analysis. 3 Course structure and evaluation The execution of the final project proceeds in five stages: 1) problem formulation, 2) basic model and project outline, 3) written draft; 4) final presentation; 5) turn in final draft. The dates associated with each stage are shown below: 1. February 6 Problem formulation 2. February 20 Basic spreadsheet model + outline From February 20 March 6, you adjust and improve your model based on feedback from the instructor and others in the class 3. March 20 First written draft due 4. April 17 th Final presentations will be scheduled 5. May 1 st Final written draft due Although each stage is important, and each is structured as an Assignment in Blackboard, you will be evaluated entirely on the basis of your final paper and model. The quality of your final model and paper constitutes 100% of your grade. The milestones are meant to keep you steadily progressing toward a successful final project. If 2
you miss the deadlines for all five of the stages, you will almost certainly do badly on the final paper and model. Stage 1: Problem Formulation (3-5 pages) - Defining the problem you will investigate involves selecting a project category (see above), and developing a clear description of what you are going to study. This must be based on a research question that can be answered by means of a cost model. Start by coming up with two or three quicky ideas and emailing them to the instructor by January 23. An example of a research problem is: Do the added customers and business generated by having a free wireless network at a coffee shop pay for itself? Stage 2: Basic Model and Project Outline (spreadsheet + 5-8 pages) - The most critical component of this section is to take a first stab at defining the variables and elements of your cost model, submitted as a spreadsheet - The second critical component is to outline the structure of the final report as you understand it at the time (keeping in mind that you will probably need to adjust the outline as you progress.) - Another important part is to identify the sources of data and information you will be using. Stage 3: Written Draft - In this stage, you demonstrate progress towards the realization of the goals you set in the project outline. You demonstrate an ability to adjust your methods and conclusions to the facts and problems you encounter. The instructor reviews your progress in order to provide advice and to make sure that you are not getting lost. Stage 4: Final Presentation - Your model should be a working, useful analytical tool at this stage, and your presentation demonstrates what the problem is, how the model breaks it down and what conclusions it leads to. Each student will have 15 minutes for presentation and 10 minutes for questions and discussion. I strongly encourage you to practice your talk so that you fit into the time slot. Stage 5: Final paper - Usually, it is around 40-50 pages of text, and includes an Excel spreadsheet Model as a separate file. The title page should be clear and include the following items: name of the project; Final Project in Telecommunications Systems, your name and email; date. An abstract of 300-600 words should summarize the work performed, its objectives and scope, and the major conclusions. Put page numbers on each page after the title page and abstract. Be sure to properly format footnote/endnotes citations. List and number all bibliographical references at the end of your paper in alphabetical order by surname of author. When referenced in the text, enclose the citation number in square brackets, for example, [1]. 3
Basic suggested Paper Outline (You can customize your paper structure based on your project needs) Introduction it defines a researchable question, and provides the motivation or rationale for the study that you undertook. Background it reviews relevant previous studies, provides basic definitions and background information about the technology and relevant economic, political or organizations environment(s) Modeling Section it describes you re the variables and how you modeled the relationships among them. Analysis Section (including Sensitivity Analysis) you use the model to explore the research problem. Key Findings and Evaluation Verbal discussion that provides an interpretation of the analysis. Avoid simply restating the results described in the analysis. You should refer back to the issues from the introduction that motivated the study and state how your results of analysis answer these questions. If your results were not clear, you should discuss what problems there might have been with your analysis and provide suggestions about how future analysis might better address the questions. 4 Course Schedule Week 1 Introductory Lecture. Begin developing problem formulation after viewing. Take a look at some of the good examples. Week 2 Send instructor 2 or 3 rough ideas about possible problems to research. Read Ragsdale Chapter 1. View lecture on modeling. Discuss problem formulation with instructor. Week 3 Lecture on costs in economics. Discussion and finalization of problem formulations. Week 4 Final problem formulation due. (Turn in via assignment drop box). Begin work on basic model. View lecture on use of spreadsheets for cost modeling. Read more Ragsdale if you have the textbook. Week 5 Continue work on basic model and project outline. Use the discussion boards to pose questions or discuss problems. Week 6 Turn in basic spreadsheet model and outline (Turn in via assignment drop box) Week 7 4
Adjust and improve model based on feedback Week 8 Use model to analyze problem, develop and test conclusions. Seek comment from instructor via discussion boards. Week 9 Continue developing model and analysis Week 10 Continue developing model and analysis Week 11 Continue developing model and analysis. Presentation schedule announced. Week 12 Final project presentations Week 13 Final project presentations Week 14 Turn in Final drafts 5 Readings Cliff Ragsdale, Spreadsheet Modeling & Decision Analysis (4 th or 5 th edition), Thomson (2004/6) Bruce Kingma, The Economics of Information: A Guide to Cost-Benefit Analysis for Information Professionals, 2nd Ed. Libraries Unlimited, 2001 (On reserve at Bird Library for reference) Ian Jacques, Mathematics and Economics for Business (2nd Edition). Addison- Wesley. (Useful as a guide to equations and mathematical methods) Examples of cost modeling exercises (available on course web site): R. Ponza, Comparison of Two-Way Radios and Push-To-Talk Cell Phones in a Manufacturing Environment, IST 754 project, 2006. M. Bond, Effect of Free Wireless Hot Spot Service on Host Business Profits, IST 754 project, 2005. E. Mataj, GSM Network Upgrade; LTE vs. HSPA, IST 754 Project, 2010. 5
C. Lau, A cellular carrier maximum bid for a spectrum concession in Costa Rica s frequency auction. IST 754 Project, 2010. Journal articles: Chaterjee, et. al. Modeling the economic impacts of broadband residential services, Computer Networks and ISDN Systems 30, 1998, 1295-1310. Len Dorrian and Kelvin Cross, The Value of Telecommunications Investment. Business Communications Review December 2003, 28-32. Chris Dippon, Local Loop Unbundling: Flaws of the Cost Proxy Model. Info: The Journal of Regulation, Policy and Strategy for Telecommunications, Information, and Media, Vol. 3, No. 2, 159-171, April 2001. M. Buyer, E-911: Costs, Benefits and Pitfalls. Business Communications Review, Nov., 2004 6 General Course Policies All work must be the student s own. Any unauthorized collaboration or copying will at minimum result in no credit for the affected assignment and may be subject to further action under the School of Information Studies Statement on Academic Integrity, available in IST student handbook in your orientation materials and you should acquaint yourself with them. Late submission will not be accepted, unless specific arrangements have been made with the instructor prior to the deadline. Please feel free to ask questions in class, by WebCT bulletin Board or private course WebCT mail, or at privately arranged meetings. If the nature of your question requires an interactive session, please make an appointment or use office hours with me. 7 Academic Integrity The academic community of Syracuse University and of the School of Information Studies requires the highest standards of professional ethics and personal integrity from all members of the community. Violations of these standards are violations of a mutual obligation characterized by trust, honesty, and personal honor. As a community, we commit ourselves to standards of academic conduct, impose sanctions against those who violate these standards, and keep appropriate records of violations. Definition of Academic Dishonesty Academic dishonesty includes but is not limited to plagiarism, cheating on examinations, unauthorized collaboration, multiple submission of work, misuse of resources for teaching and learning, falsifying information, forgery, bribery, and any other acts that deceive others about one's academic work or record. Students who are new to the 6
University must learn our standards of academic practice. Students who have questions about what constitutes academic integrity should consult this document, their faculty advisors, and instructors. Students should also be aware that standards for documentation and intellectual contribution may depend on the course content and method of teaching, and should consult instructors for guidance. The complete academic integrity statement can be found at: http://ischool.syr.edu/academics/advisingandcourses/advising/integrity/index.aspx Disabilities If you believe that you need accommodations for a disability, please contact the Office of Disability Services (ODS), http://disabilityservices.syr.edu, located in Room 309 of 804 University Avenue, or call (315) 443-4498 for an appointment to discuss your needs and the process for requesting accommodations. ODS is responsible for coordinating disability-related accommodations and will issue students with documented disabilities Accommodation Authorization Letters, as appropriate. Since accommodations may require early planning and generally are not provided retroactively, please contact ODS as soon as possible. Ownership of Student Work This course may use course participation and documents created by students for educational purposes. In compliance with the Federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, works in all media produced by students as part of their course participation at Syracuse University may be used for educational purposes, provided that the course syllabus makes clear that such use may occur. It is understood that registration for and continued enrollment in a course where such use of student works is announced constitutes permission by the student. After such a course has been completed, any further use of student works will meet one of the following conditions: (1) the work will be rendered anonymous through the removal of all personal identification of the work s creator/originator(s); or (2) the creator/originator(s) written permission will be secured. As generally accepted practice, honors theses, graduate theses, graduate research projects, dissertations, or other exit projects submitted in partial fulfillment of degree requirements are placed in the library, University Archives, or academic departments for public reference. 7