IMAT 637 at the University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) is a 3-credit graduate study of management practices related to the acquisition of IT systems, components and services. UMGC places emphasis on the importance of enterprise strategic planning and the accompanying IT strategic planning.
Issues examined include developing the IT acquisition plan, financial planning and budgeting, integrating the proposed acquisition within enterprise goals, and IT program management, in the context of wider management challenges.
Federal IT systems, contract and procurement policies provide examples for analysis. Students find it hard because it combines strategy, finance and policy.
Course at a Glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| University | University of Maryland Global Campus |
| Course code | IMAT 637 |
| Credits | 3 |
| Level | Graduate |
| Subject area | IT acquisition and management |
| Examples used | Federal IT systems, contract and procurement policies and procedures |
What IMAT 637 Covers
| Topic (from UMGC) | What it means |
|---|---|
| Enterprise and IT strategic planning | Setting direction so that IT purchases serve organizational goals |
| The IT acquisition plan | Documenting what will be acquired, why and how |
| Financial planning and budgeting | Estimating, funding and controlling cost |
| Integration with enterprise goals | Fitting the acquisition into the wider organization |
| IT program management | Overseeing the work after the decision |
| Contract and procurement policy | Rules and procedures, illustrated with federal examples |
Key Concepts Explained
Start with the Mission
An acquisition should answer a business need. State the need, the gap in current capability and the benefit expected before comparing products or vendors.
Cost over the Life of the System
Purchase price is only part of the cost. Support, training, integration, upgrades and exit costs add up. A life-cycle view makes comparisons fairer.
Illustration (invented): Option A has a low purchase price but needs costly custom integration. Option B costs more up front but fits existing systems. Compared over five years with all categories included, B may be cheaper and less risky. Your analysis should show the comparison table and say which assumptions drive the result.
Procurement Rules as Constraints
Rules shape how an organization may buy, such as how requirements are described and how bids are evaluated. Use your course materials for the specific rules and apply them to the scenario given.
Typical Assignments and How to Approach Them
Check your classroom for the exact tasks. Graduate courses of this kind typically include the following.
| Assignment type | What it tests | How to approach it |
|---|---|---|
| Acquisition plan sections | Planning and justification | State the need, options, criteria and recommendation |
| Budget and cost analysis | Financial reasoning | Use life-cycle costs and state assumptions |
| Policy or case analysis | Applying procurement rules | Identify the rule, apply it, discuss consequences |
| Discussions | Linking ideas to practice | Use a specific example |
Writing an Acquisition Recommendation
Acquisition papers read best as a chain from need to decision. This outline fits most prompts, whether you are asked for a plan or a recommendation.
- State the business need and how it connects to strategy.
- Set requirements and the criteria for judging options.
- Compare options on life-cycle cost, risk and fit.
- Consider procurement rules that shape how the purchase can be made.
- Recommend an option and describe how the program will be managed.
Show your cost assumptions clearly. If a number is an estimate, say so, and explain how sensitive the recommendation is to changes in it.
Where Students Get Stuck
- Product-first thinking. Define requirements before options.
- Ignoring life-cycle cost. Include all cost categories.
- Policy as a list. Show how a rule changes the decision.
- Weak strategic link. Connect the plan to enterprise goals.
Study Tips for IMAT 637
- Use a standard outline for acquisition plans and adapt it.
- Build a reusable cost comparison table.
- Keep a short glossary of procurement terms from your readings.
- Check each rubric line against your draft.
Checklist Before You Submit
| Check | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| The need is tied to enterprise strategy | UMGC emphasizes strategic planning |
| Costs cover the whole life of the system | Price alone misleads |
| Procurement rules are applied to the scenario | Policy shapes the decision |
| Assumptions are visible | Reviewers test them first |
Check that your budget table adds up and that totals appear in the text exactly as in the table.
How We Help with IMAT 637
Send the prompt, rubric and readings. A writer can prepare a model acquisition plan, explain cost analysis, or edit and give feedback on your draft.
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Frequently Asked Questions
UMGC describes management of IT acquisition, including strategic planning, the acquisition plan, financial planning and budgeting, integration with enterprise goals and IT program management.
The UMGC listing we checked shows none; confirm for your program.
Yes, UMGC says federal IT systems, contract and procurement policies provide examples.
The total cost of owning a system over its life, including support, training and upgrades.
Need, requirements, options, evaluation criteria, cost, risk and recommendation.
No. We offer custom answers, editing and feedback as study support, and you submit your own work.