Monash University Handbook 2011 Undergraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Level	Undergraduate
Faculty	Faculty of Information Technology
Offered	Clayton First semester 2011 (Day) Sunway First semester 2011 (Day)

Synopsis

With increased globalisation, companies are facing stiffer competition and successful companies cannot afford to harbour inefficiencies if they are to be competitive. Furthermore, customers are becoming more demanding. Business processes must be designed to ensure that they are effective and meet customer requirements. A well-designed process will improve efficiency and deliver greater productivity.

This unit will survey the analytical tools that can be used to model, analyse, understand and design business processes. Students will also gain hands-on experience in using simulation software as a tool for analysing business processes.

Upon completion of this unit students should have acquired: an understanding of business organisations, their functional structure and the advantage of considering the process oriented view of organisations; a thorough knowledge of business processes, their structure and how processes fit in to the overall organisation objectives; knowledge of the analytical tools that can be used to model, analyse, understand, and design business processes; and skills to use simulation software as a tool for analysing business processes.

Objectives

At the completion of this unit students will have -
A knowledge and understanding of:

• the role of processes in organisations;
• process management lifecycle;
• process modelling and process modelling techniques;
• process simulation techniques;
• workflow and process implementation;
• process measurement and benchmarking;
• popular and leading edge modelling, simulation, workflow and measurement tools.

Developed attitudes that enable them to:

• recognise the value of process orientation within an organisation;
• adopt a critical approach to process design and management in a business context;
• appreciate the value of modelling and simulation as effective process design tools;
• appreciate that a designed business process is not an implemented business process (i.e. appreciate the limitations of process modelling and the necessity of implementation methodologies and techniques);
• appreciate the risks and benefits of the influence of IT infrastructure on process design.

Developed the skills to:

• create process models;
• perform process simulation;
• select an appropriate process design methodology;
• assess process performance;
• analyse appropriateness of process-based KPIs;
• use popular and leading edge modelling, simulation, workflow and measurement tools.

Demonstrated the communication skills necessary to:

• document and communicate a process model;
• work in a team during process design and management;
• communicate during, and coordinate the process management life cycle.

Assessment

Examination (2 hours): 70%; In-semester assessment: 30%

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Yen Cheung

Contact hours

2 hrs lectures/wk, 2 hrs laboratories/wk

Prerequisites

Completion of 24 points at level 1 from FIT or BusEco

Prohibitions

ETC2490, BUS3502

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:

http://www.infotech.monash.edu.au/units/fit2006