Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 2 2013

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 Service-oriented Architectures. The unit INN610 Case Studies in Business Process Management provides the unique opportunity to experience the challenges of process re-design in a practical setting. Students will work in groups of 3-5 and jointly scope, contextualise, model, analyse and improve a selected business process using methods and techniques that were taught in INN321 Business Process Management. Selected representatives from our industry partners will take the role of the main stakeholders that have to be addressed in a series of reports and presentations.

Aims

The aim of this unit is to provide deep insights into the real-life issues of a process re-design project. As such, this unit will usefully complement the models and theories taught in INN321. You will develop a deep understanding for the boundaries of BPM methods and techniques. In particular, you will gain insights into corresponding challenges such as team management, presentation skills and project management.

Objectives

On completion of this unit you should be able to:
1. Apply selected process management methods and techniques to a practical process re-design project (GC1, GC2);
2. Scope, model, analyse and improve a selected business process (GC1);
3. Quantify the issues and improvement potential of a selected business process (GC1);
4. Appropriately summarise your findings in a management report and milestone presentations (GC3, GC4);
5. Interact with stakeholders on different management levels (GC3, GC4, GC5, GC6, GC7);
6. Work efficiently 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

This unit will provide an opportunity to experience all phases of a process re-design project. The industry partners will present in week 1 the selected business processes and students will be allocated to teams (3-5 students) in week 1. The four main phases of this unit will be consulting report, process modelling and analysis, process improvement and process implementation. Weekly seminars will provide opportunities to discuss emerging issues. Training in presentations and interviewing skills will complement this unit.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

The content of the unit is delivered through weekly seminars and monthly milestone, and the QUT Blackboard site. Weekly seminars cover corresponding contents and provide the opportunity to discuss issues as they emerge in the project. The monthly milestone presentations and report will provide key assessment opportunities and facilitate condense feedback from the industry partners.
The unit emphasises a 'hands-on' approach to learning through the practical deployment of BPM methods. The intense group work will demand effective team, conflict and project management.

Assessment

You will submit your assignments electronically through the Faculty of Science and Technology'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.A marking guide will be available for all four assignments. A detailed marking of assignments will provide you with comprehensive feedback. Weekly seminars will provide opportunities for ongoing and intensive dialogue ensuring regular feedback during all stages of this project.

Assessment name: Consulting proposal
Description: This is a piece of persuasive writing in a set format of a consultancy report. You must clearly identify and scope the business problem, the intended project deliverables and their business value and give a clear project plan.
Relates to objectives: 1
Weight: 5%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: End of Week 3

Assessment name: Report and presentation
Description: Process model and process analysis (report and presentation): - This is a piece of persuasive writing in a set format that summarises the first of the three main deliverables. This report format is given. You must clearly identify the analysed business process, include as-is models for the current processes which have to comply with the modelling conventions of our industry partner, provide a detailed list of identified issues and a ranking of these.Weight: 25% (15% report, 10% presentation)
Relates to objectives: 1-7
Weight: 25%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: End of Week 5

Assessment name: Interim process improvement
Description: Interim process improvement (report and presentation) . - This is a piece of persuasive writing in a set format that summarises the second main deliverable. This report format is given. You must clearly identify the analysed business process, include process models for the proposed process improvements which comply with the modelling conventions of our industry partner, provide a detailed list of identified improvement ideas and a ranking of these ideas and their impact. This is an interim report and so options for future development must be identified and a decision sought from the industry partner on which set of options are required for further and final development. The 30 mins presentation has to summarise the highlights of your report. Weight: 30% (20% report, 10% presentation
Relates to objectives: 1-7
Weight: 30%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: End of Week 9

Assessment name: Final report
Description: Final report (report and presentation). - This is a piece of persuasive writing in a set format that summarises the entire project. This report format is given. You must clearly identify the analysed business process, include process models for the finally proposed processes which have to comply with the modelling conventions of our industry partner, provide a detailed list of identified analysed recommendations, a ranking of these proposals and guidelines regarding the steps towards implementing these ideas including cost-benefit studies. The 45 mins presentation has to summarise the highlights of your report. Weight: 40% (25% report, 15% presentation)
Relates to objectives: 1-7
Weight: 40%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: End of 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

No extraordinary charges or costs are associated with the requirements for this unit.

Recommended Readings:

Books:

B1: P. Harmon (2007). Business Process Change. A Guide for Business Managers and BPM and Six Sigma Professionals. 2nd edition, Morgan Kaufman Publishers. Amsterdam et al.: Chapters 3,4,9,15,16.
B2: J. Becker, M. Kugeler, M. Rosemann (eds.): Process Management. A Guide for the Process-oriented Design of Organizations. Eds.: Springer-Verlag: Berlin et al. 2001: Chapter 3.
B3: A. Sharp, P. McDermott (2008). Workflow Modeling. 2nd edition, Artech House. Norwood, MA, USA.

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: 05-Feb-2013