Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 1 2013

Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.

Rationale

Improving business operations is on top of the agenda for chief and senior executives. Business process management (BPM) provides an innovative approach to solving long-standing business challenges. It provides organisations with the ability to save money and time by systematically documenting, managing, automating and optimising their business processes. To unlock the true benefits of a process-aware organisation it is essential that process modelling efforts do not purely remain paper-based but act as the prelude to automated support.

A so-called workflow, an executable process model, contains descriptions of what tasks need to be performed, when they need to be performed, by whom they need to be performed, and what information they need and what information they produce. The last decade has seen the increased uptake of workflow technology and this has increased the potential for real, evidence-based analysis associated with the execution of various business processes. By applying techniques such as business activity monitoring, process mining and process simulation, we can gain invaluable insights into both current and future business operations of an organisation, which in turn can lead to continuous process improvement.

Aims

The aim of this unit is to introduce you to a number of state-of-the-art business process intelligence techniques that can be used at different stages of a business process life cycle. The unit will also discuss the design requirements for executable process models and strategies for business process improvement.

Objectives

On successful completion of this unit, you should be able to:

· Appreciate the important role of business process automation within business process improvement initiatives (GC1, GC2);
· Understand how process patterns can be applied to the design of executable business processes (GC1, GC2);
· Analyse, model, execute, measure, and manage processes within an organisation (GC1, GC2);
· Apply contemporary research outcomes to practical BPM-related problems (GC1);
· Identify common problems and propose improvement opportunities using insights gained from various analysis techniques (GC2, GC7);
· Work efficiently and effectively in a group (GC3, GC4, GC5, GC6, GC7);

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

In this unit you will learn about:

· Business Process Analytics
· Process Patterns (an introduction)
· Executable Process Model Design
· Process Verification
· Process Simulation
· Process Mining
· Process (Re)Design and Improvement strategies

The unit will provide you with an opportunity to gain hands-on experience in designing process models using different modelling techniques (e.g., BPMN, Workflow-net and YAWL nets). In addition, you will develop executable process models using the YAWL open-source process automation environment and carry out performance analysis of processes using the world's foremost open-source business intelligence environment, ProM. This unit will also provide an opportunity to develop generic skills in critical thinking, team work, presentation and writing skills.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

The content of the unit is delivered through lectures and workshops, and the QUT Blackboard site. Lectures will cover theoretical aspects of the unit and workshops will cover practical aspects of the unit. Teaching staff will be available to provide assistance during lectures and workshops. The unit emphasises a 'hands-on' approach to learning by illustrating new concepts through worked examples and demonstrations. You are also expected to read widely and a reading list will be provided. You are required to work in groups. Group work will foster your ability to perform as part of a development team. You are encouraged to discuss the difficulties you are having with the assignment with your group partner(s).

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 report should demonstrate more sophisticated levels of analytical and knowledge application ability.

Assessment

You will submit your assignment electronically - details will be announced during the lectures. Halfway through the semester, there will be a presentation and a written report to identify, model and justify the choice of the business problem. For the remainder of the semester, the focus will be on developing and implementing executable business processes in a BPM system and applying various process analysis techniques to gain insights into the problem (including a demonstration and a written report). The intention of this part of the unit is for you to comprehend and explore a certain topic in the field, to clearly communicate your own ideas (both in spoken and in written form), and to argue the validity of these ideas.
It is crucial that your assessment tasks are carried out in groups of 4-6 students so that meaningful learning outcomes can be achieved. However, we recognise that there can be issues arising from team work that could impact your individual grades. Hence, 50% weighting is assigned to the assessment deliverables as a group and 50% weighting is assigned to your individual contribution evidenced by your individual reflection reports and your performance during the presentations.You can obtain feedback on your progress throughout the unit through the following mechanisms:
¿ ask the teaching staff for advice and assistance during workshops
¿ your will receive feedback on your presentation and your choice of topic
¿ private consultation with teaching staff

Assessment name: Project (applied)
Description: Identify a business problem that could benefit from process analysis techniques, develop executable process models and propose appropriate process analysis techniques. This involves Group Work with individual reflection report.
Relates to objectives: 1 to 6.
Weight: 40%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Group
Due date: Week 7

Assessment name: Project (applied)
Description: Research appropriate analysis techniques and apply appropriate process analysis techniques to the business problem chosen. This involves Group Work with individual reflection report.
Relates to objectives: 1 to 6.
Weight: 60%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Group
Due date: Week 13

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

Textbooks:
· A.H.M ter Hofstede, W.M.P. van der Aalst, M. Adams, N. Russell (Editor), Modern Business Process Automation: YAWL and its Support Environment. Springer, 2010. ISBN: 9783642031205.
· Wil van der Aalst and Kees van Hee, Workflow Management, MIT press, 2004. ISBN: 9780262720465.
· W.M.P. van der Aalst, Process Mining: Discovery, Conformance and Enhancement of Business Processes, Springer, 2011. ISBN 978-3-642-19344-6.

Additional References:
· Yet Another Workflow Language (YAWL) home page (www.yawlfoundation.org )
· Workflow Patterns home page (www.workflowpatterns.com )
· Process Mining (ProM) home page (www.processmining.com )

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: 24-Oct-2012