IT Risk Management in the Manufacturing Industry - Case Study: The Chocolate Company

1. Critically apply and evaluate the concepts and principles of risk management in different IT risk enterprise scenarios.

2. Evaluate the strategic importance of risk management within an enterprise.

3. Critically assess what is involved in the management of IT risk.

4. Critically evaluate a range of risk management tools and techniques to both assess the positive and negative impact of IT risk.

5. Incorporate and evaluate in a critical manner risk management for IT risk initiatives in the implementation of business objectives.

6. Critically evaluate, and problem solve using the underpinning research of risk management for IT risk.

7. Graduate Attribute – Reflective Practitioner

Undertake critical analysis and reach reasoned and evidenced decisions, contribute problem-solving skills to find and innovate in solutions

The Chocolate Company since inception in 1990 has been largely responsible for satisfying the country’s demand for Chocolates and Sugar Confectionery. Situated at Rusayl Industrial Estates in Muscat, Sultanate of Oman, the plant has various lines producing a wide range of confectionery like Éclairs, Toffees, Fudges, Caramels, Hard Boiled Candy and Enrobed Chocolates. These products are available in attractive packaging and premium Gift Boxes making them ideal for gifting as well as for own consumption. Most of the packaging in the Gift Pack segment has been carefully selected to ensure its enduring utility, thereby giving our valued customers an added benefit. The confectionery is produced by experienced personnel under stringent quality control and hygiene standards. State-of-the-art manufacturing facilities ensure products of international quality. The company in its relentless pursuit of quality obtained HACCP Certification in April, 2004.

The Company, through its uncompromising stand on quality and competitive pricing, has successfully penetrated countries all over the Gulf, the African continent, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, South Africa, USA and the UK.

Today, manufacturing sector companies like chocolate manufacturing operates in increasingly complex, competitive and global markets. The ability to manage risks across geographies, products, assets, customer segments and functional departments is of paramount importance. The inability to manage these risks specially IT risks can cause irreparable damages.

Chocolate company will always face the likelihood of being impacted by adverse technical future events. These uncertainties will have an impact on a company’s ability to generate capital and shareholders returns. The company Board expects that management will not only look at where the company may be exposed to risk, but also how these risks can be managed to influence favorable business outcomes.

1: You have been engaged into Chocolate Company’s new IT risk team to provide scalable solutions to enable business outcomes. Critically evaluate the concepts and principles of risk management in consideration of IT risks.

2: In the need for improved and scalable business model analyse the strategic importance of IT risk management within the manufacturing industry.

3: Critically analyse what is involved in the creation of a risk management system for IT in a manufacturing company and how business objectives align with it for the Chocolate Company.