Units
Business Process Modelling
Unit code: INN320
Contact hours: 3 per week
Credit points: 12
Information about fees and unit costs
This unit will teach you the foundations of business process modelling. You will learn how to use standard process modelling notations such as BPMN to capture organizational business processes in a consistent and unambiguous way, and to reason about these models.
Availability
| Semester | Available |
|---|---|
| 2013 Semester 2 | Yes |
Sample subject outline - Semester 2 2012
Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.
Rationale
Business processes form the core of organisations and their interrelations with business partners. They are the centre of attention in a variety of management approaches and technology-driven solutions such as Workflow management and Service-oriented Architectures. The unit INB/N-320 Business Process Modelling provides a contemporary introduction to the methods, notations, grammars and tools of process modelling. In particular, you will get a deep understanding of the most popular process modelling grammars (BPMN, EPCs) and their application in practice. The unit starts with an overview of the conceptual and formal foundations of (process) modelling (Petri Nets and Workflow Nets). The main modelling paradigms will be introduced with a focus on the details of modelling with the Business Process Model and Notation (BPMN 2.0). This will be complemented by lectures on process modelling tools, model-to-execution and the future of process modelling. You will learn process modelling based on national and international process modelling case studies.
Aims
The aim of this unit is to introduce you to modern methodologies and techniques of business process modelling. A main objective is to increase your awareness of the conceptual and formal foundations of modelling and of the capabilities of BPMN and available tools. You will learn how to use grammars and tools to build, maintain and communicate practically-relevant process models.
Objectives
On completion of this unit you should be able to:
- Comprehend the basic modelling principles independent of any specific modelling grammar or tool (GC2, GC4);
- Possess basic knowledge of process model correctness based on the Workflow Nets paradigm (GC1,GC4)
- Model complex business processes using advanced concepts in BPMN and EPCs (GC1);
- Use advanced process modelling tools (GC1);
- Work efficiently in a group (GC5, GC6, GC7);
- Communicate using process models (GC3).
Key: Graduate Capabilities
GC1 - Knowledge and Skills
GC2 - Critical and Creative Thinking
GC3 - Communication
GC4 - Lifelong Learning
GC5 - Independence and Collaboration
GC6 - Social and Ethical Responsibility
GC7 - Leadership and Change
Content
This unit presents a detailed introduction to the capabilities and constraints of current process modelling grammars and tools. The unit will start with an overview of key modelling principles (e.g. abstraction) and important formal foundations for process modelling (i.e. Petri Nets and Workflow Nets). A focus will be on the explanation and application of the Business Process Modelling Notation (BPMN) - the current de-facto standard for process modelling in industry. BPMN will be compared with alternative approaches. Modelling tools will be introduced in the tutorials.
This unit will develop specific skills in business process modelling as well as general skills in abstraction, complexity management, critical thinking, team work, presentation and writing skills. INB/N-320 complements in particular INB/N-321 by providing deeper insights into the modelling-related issues of Business Process Improvement projects.
Approaches to Teaching and Learning
The content of the unit is delivered through lectures, tutorials, case studies, and the QUT Blackboard site. Lectures cover theoretical aspects of the unit, and practical sessions provide an opportunity to solve practical exercises, based on the current week's lecture. Tutorial staff will be available to provide assistance.
The unit emphasises a 'hands-on' approach to learning through the illustration of new concepts through worked examples and demonstrations. The concepts introduced are presented in business scenarios. You will work on the case studies in the tutorials. You are encouraged to work in groups.
Concurrent Teaching
This unit is being taught concurrently with an undergraduate offering of the same subject. University policy permits postgraduate and undergraduate students to attend the same lectures. As a postgraduate student you will be required to complete separate assessment tasks that reflect the advanced knowledge and understanding of the subject. For this unit this means your assessment will be of increased complexity but not necessarily of greater length or effort. In assignment two you are required to deliver a report with an increased research component, in comparison to the assignment for undergraduate students. The final exam (assignment three) will contain different questions requiring you to show additional and more sophisticated levels of analytical and knowledge application ability.
Assessment
There are two assignments and a final exam. You will submit your assignments electronically through the Faculty's Online Assignment System (OAS) - details will be announced during the lectures. You are expected to work on the assignments independently, but you can ask for assistance from the teaching staff. The final exam lasts two hours and covers the whole content of the unit.Student feedback on this unit is welcome and will be used to improve teaching and learning approaches. You are invited to take advantage of the evaluation opportunities offered in this unit or to contact the unit coordinator directly with any feedback and suggestions.
You can obtain feedback on your progress throughout the unit through the following mechanisms:
The first two assignments will be based on the material covered in the lectures and tutorials. The related tasks will be discussed during these contact hours. This will provide you with a deeper understanding of the nature of the tasks. Selected supporting resources will be provided on the unit homepage. A marking guide will be available for the first two assignments. A detailed marking of assignments will provide you with comprehensive feedback.
Tutors are available during the tutorials and consultation hours to clarify or elaborate on the assignment content and provide constructive feedback.
For the final exam you will be referred to the Faculty's formal 'Review of exam' procedures.
Assessment name:
Report
Description:
Modelling an Inter-organisational Business Process:
This group assignment increases your awareness for the challenges related to modelling a business process that involves multiple parties. You will have to deploy grammars and modelling tools that will be introduced in the first weeks of this unit. You will provide a report and have to be prepared to present your results in the classroom. You will get comprehensive feedback.
As a postgraduate student you will be required to use two process modelling grammars instead on one, to establish comparison criteria between the two grammars, and to assess the two grammars accordingly. You will also be required to describe your experience with the use of the specific modelling tool for this assignment.
Relates to objectives:
1, 3, 4, 5, 6
Weight:
20%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Group
Due date:
Week 7 (approx)
Assessment name:
Report
Description:
Modelling Complex Business Processes:
This group assignment focuses on more complex application areas of business process modelling. You will be able to select a topic among a range of suggested topics and are expected to provide a report in the form of a comprehensive project report detailing the steps and outcomes of the modelling project. You will be asked to include advanced discussions and evaluations of the tools and methods used. You have to be prepared to present your results in the classroom. You will get comprehensive feedback.
As a postgraduate student you will also be required to establish a governance structure in order to facilitate the management and revision of the processes being modelled in the future. The governance structure will have to include a process architecture as well as a suitable set of modelling guidelines.
Relates to objectives:
1 to 6
Weight:
30%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Group
Due date:
Week 12 (approx)
Assessment name:
Examination (written)
Description:
Final Written Exam (2 hours)
As a postgraduate student, you will also be required to complete a separate section in addition to the exam handed over to undergraduate students.
Relates to objectives:
1 to 5
Weight:
50%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
Exam period
Academic Honesty
QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.
A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.
Resource materials
No extraordinary charges or costs are associated with the requirements for this unit.
Recommended Readings:
There is no required textbook for this unit. However, this unit will, where appropriate, make use of the following textbooks. Students are encouraged to obtain a copy of these books from the library.
Books:
B1: M. Weske: Business Process Management. Concepts, Languages, Architectures. Springer 2007: Chapters 3 - 6.
B2: B. Silver: BPMN Method and Style: A Levels-based Methodology for BPM Process Modeling and Improvement Using BPMN 2.0. Cody-Cassidy Press, 2009.
B3: W. van der Aalst, K. van Hee: Workflow Management. Models, Methods, and Systems (2002s): Chapter 2
B4: A. ter Hofstede, W. van der Aalst, M. Adams, N. Russell (eds.), Modern Business Process Automation: YAWL and its Support Environment. Springer, 2010: Chapters 1 - 3.
B5: J. Becker, M. Kugeler, M. Rosemann (eds.): Process Management. A Guide for the Process-oriented Design of Organizations. Eds.: Springer-Verlag: Berlin et al. 2003: Chapter 3.
B6: R. Davies and E. Brabaender: ARIS Design Platform. Getting Started with BPM. Springer 2007: Chapter 7.
B7: P. Harmon. Business Process Change. A Guide for Business Managers and BPM and Six Sigma Professionals. 2nd edition, Morgan Kaufman Publishers. Amsterdam, 2007: Chapters 3, 4, 9, 15,16.
B8: A. Sharp, P. McDermott. Workflow Modeling. Artech House. Norwood, MA, USA, 2001.
Risk assessment statement
There are no unusual health or safety risks associated with this unit.
Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.
Last modified: 31-May-2012
