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IT 200 Project One Technology Hardware and Software Guidelines and Rubric
Competency
In this project, you will demonstrate your mastery of the following competency:
Describe the technologies, hardware, and software used within the information technology �eld
Scenario
You are working as a contracted information technology specialist. You have been contacted by James Otis Tax Associates, a small tax preparation company. The company is growing rapidly
and is opening a new of�ce. They are focused on hiring and retaining the best in the �eld, and they believe that one way to do this is to provide every employee with the appropriate tools and
technology they need to effectively complete their work. Your company has been asked to provide its expertise in identifying the technology components needed for the computer systems and
network for the three employees in the new of�ce. They would also like you to address the security needs of the various employees.
Directions
The manager at James Otis Tax Associates has asked you to submit a report describing the technology hardware and software needed to build a computer network for the new of�ce. The
manager has asked you to describe the computer system for each new employee, including an explanation of the purpose for each selected technology component, and to identify speci�c
software programs that the employees would need. He has also asked you to describe the security measures needed to support the systems. In your explanation, include how your knowledge
of human-computer interaction (HCI) impacted your choices for each component.
The manager has provided the following employee descriptions:
Certi�ed Public Accountant (CPA): The CPA is a senior position at a tax preparation company. The CPA will be not only handling sensitive customer data from personal tax returns but
also preparing tax returns for corporate clients. The CPA is also responsible for the personal tax returns �lled out by the tax and data-entry specialist employees.
Tax Specialist: The tax specialist has the dual role of entering data and verifying that tax returns are correct. This position involves customer interaction in gathering data for minimizing
taxes owed or maximizing tax refunds.
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Data-Entry Specialist: This position requires data entry for personal tax returns for customers who walk in the door. Although the data-entry specialist works with sensitive customer
data, they do not have access to the tax returns once the returns are submitted to the tax specialist for review.
For each employee, you must:
Describe all hardware components, including peripherals, needed to create the systems
Identify speci�c software programs (more than one) that would be bene�cial to each identi�ed employee. Programs could include:
Operating systems
Applications such as:
Of�ce automation products
Security products
Describe security measures needed to support this system. Security measures could focus on:
Access
Administration and user passwords
Firewalls
Along with each description, explain the purpose of each technology component in each system. In your explanation, include how your knowledge of human-computer interaction (HCI)
impacted your choices for components.
Finally, choose a network topology that could be used to connect all of the new employees identi�ed by the manager. Create a Visio diagram to identify the networking equipment needed to
enable the work�ow between the employees.
What to Submit
To complete this project, you must submit the following:
Technology Needs Report
Your technology needs report should be 3–5 pages in length. For each of the new employees, you must describe all hardware components needed to create the system, identify speci�c
software programs that the employees would need, and describe security measures needed to support the systems. Along with each description, explain the purpose of each technology
component in each system. In your explanation, include how your knowledge of human-computer interaction (HCI) impacted your choices for each component.
Network Diagram
You have also been asked to include a visual representation of the topology you selected and the network equipment needed to support interactions between these employees. Use Visio to
create a 1-page (or 1-slide) diagram that identi�es the networking equipment needed to enable the work�ow between these employees.
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Supporting Materials
Technology Needs Template Word Document
This template can be used as a note-taking or organizational tool. You may submit it along with your report and diagram, but it is not a requirement and it will not be graded.
Project One Technology Hardware and Software Rubric
Criteria Exemplary (100%) Pro�cient (85%) Needs Improvement (55%) Not Evident (0%) Value
Hardware Components Exceeds pro�ciency in an
exceptionally clear, insightful,
sophisticated, or creative
manner
Describes all hardware
components, including
peripherals, needed to create
each system
Shows progress toward
pro�ciency, but with errors or
omissions; areas for
improvement may include
misestimating level of
equipment needed to �t the
needs of the system or missing
key hardware components
Does not attempt criterion 15
Software Exceeds pro�ciency in an
exceptionally clear, insightful,
sophisticated, or creative
manner
Identi�es speci�c software
programs that would be
bene�cial to each employee
Shows progress toward
pro�ciency, but with errors or
omissions; areas for
improvement may include
recommending software with
insuf�cient functionality or
outside of the norms for budget
and purpose
Does not attempt criterion 15
Security Exceeds pro�ciency in an
exceptionally clear, insightful,
sophisticated, or creative
manner
Describes security measures
needed to support each system
Shows progress toward
pro�ciency, but with errors or
omissions; areas for
improvement may include
thoroughness in descriptions
and security recommendations
Does not attempt criterion 15
Component Purpose Exceeds pro�ciency in an
exceptionally clear, insightful,
sophisticated, or creative
manner
Explains the purpose of each
technology component in each
system
Shows progress toward
pro�ciency, but with errors or
omissions; areas for
improvement may include
thoroughness in explanations
addressing each component
Does not attempt criterion 15
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Criteria Exemplary (100%) Pro�cient (85%) Needs Improvement (55%) Not Evident (0%) Value
Human-Computer
Interaction
Exceeds pro�ciency in an
exceptionally clear, insightful,
sophisticated, or creative
manner
Explains how knowledge of
human-computer interaction
(HCI) impacted choices for
components
Shows progress toward
pro�ciency, but with errors or
omissions; areas for
improvement may include
thoroughness in explanations
addressing each component
and correct use of human-
computer interaction concepts
throughout the explanation
Does not attempt criterion 15
Network Components Exceeds pro�ciency in an
exceptionally clear, insightful,
sophisticated, or creative
manner
Identi�es all equipment needed
to create a functioning network
for the employees
Shows progress toward
pro�ciency, but with errors or
omissions; areas for
improvement may include
ensuring the size and scope of
the equipment match the needs
of the network and addressing
all key hardware components
Does not attempt criterion 15
Articulation of Response Exceeds pro�ciency in an
exceptionally clear, insightful,
sophisticated, or creative
manner
Clearly conveys meaning with
correct grammar, sentence
structure, and spelling,
demonstrating an
understanding of audience and
purpose
Shows progress toward
pro�ciency, but with errors in
grammar, sentence structure,
and spelling, negatively
impacting readability
Submission has critical errors in
grammar, sentence structure,
and spelling, preventing
understanding of ideas
5
Citations and Attributions Attributes sources where
applicable using citation
methods with very few minor
errors
Attributes sources where
applicable, but with consistent
minor errors
Attributes sources where
applicable, but with major
errors
Does not attribute sources
where applicable
5
Total: 100%
