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Academic Overview

Learning Objectives

At the completion of this unit students will:

  • have a thorough understanding of business organisations, their functional structure and the advantage of considering the process oriented view of organisations;
  • demonstrate a thorough knowledge of business processes, their structure and how processes fit in to the overall organisation objectives;
  • be able to use analytical tools for modeling, analysing, understanding and designing business processes;
  • have acquired skills to use simulation software as a tool for analysing business processes;
  • be able to report to and advise management on business process design and re-engineering issues.

Graduate Attributes

Monash prepares its graduates to be:
  1. responsible and effective global citizens who:
    1. engage in an internationalised world
    2. exhibit cross-cultural competence
    3. demonstrate ethical values
  2. critical and creative scholars who:
    1. produce innovative solutions to problems
    2. apply research skills to a range of challenges
    3. communicate perceptively and effectively

Assessment Summary

Examination (3 hours): 60%; In-semester assessment: 40%

Assessment Task Value Due Date
A report on business process improvements 20% Week 7, 9 September 2011
Assignment : Modelling and Simulation with ExtendSim 20% Week 12, 21 October, 2011
Examination 1 60% To be advised

Teaching Approach

Lecture and tutorials or problem classes
This teaching and learning approach provides facilitated learning, practical exploration and peer learning.

Feedback

Our feedback to You

Types of feedback you can expect to receive in this unit are:
  • Informal feedback on progress in labs/tutes
  • Graded assignments with comments
  • Solutions to tutes, labs and assignments

Your feedback to Us

Monash is committed to excellence in education and regularly seeks feedback from students, employers and staff. One of the key formal ways students have to provide feedback is through SETU, Student Evaluation of Teacher and Unit. The University's student evaluation policy requires that every unit is evaluated each year. Students are strongly encouraged to complete the surveys. The feedback is anonymous and provides the Faculty with evidence of aspects that students are satisfied and areas for improvement.

For more information on Monash's educational strategy, and on student evaluations, see:
http://www.monash.edu.au/about/monash-directions/directions.html
http://www.policy.monash.edu/policy-bank/academic/education/quality/student-evaluation-policy.html

Previous Student Evaluations of this unit

If you wish to view how previous students rated this unit, please go to
https://emuapps.monash.edu.au/unitevaluations/index.jsp

Required Resources

The ExtendSim simulation software is provided in this unit for building simulation models. The software is installed in the designated laboratories used for the tutorials of this unit.

ExtendSim software for building simulation models.
A limited, non-expiring working copy of the software can be download from http://www.extendsim.com/prods_demo.html
This limited copy will be sufficient for the purposes of this unit.

Textbook:

Wisner J D, Stanley L L, "Process Management - Creating Value along the supply chain", Thomson South-Western Publishing, 2008.

Individual eChapters of the above textbook can be purchased from:

http://www.cengagebrain.com.au/shop/en/AU/storefront/australia?cmd=CLHeaderSearch&fieldValue=9780324291575

Examination material or equipment

The use of the standard calculator is permitted in the examination of this unit.

Unit Schedule

Week Activities Assessment
0   No formal assessment or activities are undertaken in week 0
1 Introduction to business processes and modelling  
2 Process Improvements and BPR  
3 Business Process Management  
4 Tools for Business Process Modelling and Design  
5 Analysing process flows  
6 Business Process Simulation I  
7 Managing Flows Assignment 1: A report on business process improvements due - 3PM Friday 9 September 2011
8 Process Modelling and Petri Nets  
9 Queuing Systems and Business Process Design  
10 Guest Lecture : A Case of Six Sigma Quality  
11 Business Process Simulation II  
12 Unit Review and Summary Assignment 2: Modelling and Simulation with ExtendSim due 21 October 2011
     
  Examination period LINK to Assessment Policy: http://policy.monash.edu.au/policy-bank/
academic/education/assessment/
assessment-in-coursework-policy.html

*Unit Schedule details will be maintained and communicated to you via your MUSO (Blackboard or Moodle) learning system.

Assessment Requirements

Assessment Policy

To pass a unit which includes an examination as part of the assessment a student must obtain:

  • 40% or more in the unit's examination, and
  • 40% or more in the unit's total non-examination assessment, and
  • an overall unit mark of 50% or more.

If a student does not achieve 40% or more in the unit examination or the unit non-examination total assessment, and the total mark for the unit is greater than 50% then a mark of no greater than 49-N will be recorded for the unit

Assessment Tasks

Participation

  • Assessment task 1
    Title:
    A report on business process improvements
    Description:
    This assignment involves writing a report on business process improvements and conducting some literature review on the topic with practical cases of business process improvements. The report should be approximately 15 - 30 pages including references and bibliography. Full details of the assignment are available on the unit web site.
    Weighting:
    20%
    Criteria for assessment:

    The assignment will be assessed using the following main criteria:  

    • the quality and presentation of the report,
    • the quality of the readings/references and
    • analysis of findings from the readings. 


    The professionalism of the submission and supporting documentation will also be considered.    For full details see the unit web site.

    Due date:
    Week 7, 9 September 2011
  • Assessment task 2
    Title:
    Assignment : Modelling and Simulation with ExtendSim
    Description:
    This is a group assignment involving the design and simulation of a system using the techniques and tools of the unit content.
    Weighting:
    20%
    Criteria for assessment:

    Assignment work in the unit is fully described, along with the assessment criteria, on the assignment page of the Moodle-based unit web site. A peer assessment form is also completed by all students to ensure fair distribution of marks. Guidelines on undertaking a group assignment such as conducting meetings and recording processes will be given to students.

    Besides submitting a complete ExtendSim model for the problem, the assignment will also be assessed based on the following criteria:

    • References or websites used in the assignment
    • Minutes/memos of meetings held to discuss the assignment
    • Tasks performed by each individual member of the group
    • Any other information relevant to the assignment (such as assumptions the group have made about the case, etc
    • Completed peer assessment form by all members of the group.
    Due date:
    Week 12, 21 October, 2011
    Remarks:
    Students who are unable to participate in a group assignment will discuss their options with the lecturer/tutor where alternative assignment arrangements will be provided.

Examinations

  • Examination 1
    Weighting:
    60%
    Length:
    3 hours
    Type (open/closed book):
    Closed book
    Electronic devices allowed in the exam:
    The use of the standard calculator is permitted in the examination of this unit.

Assignment submission

It is a University requirement (http://www.policy.monash.edu/policy-bank/academic/education/conduct/plagiarism-procedures.html) for students to submit an assignment coversheet for each assessment item. Faculty Assignment coversheets can be found at http://www.infotech.monash.edu.au/resources/student/forms/. Please check with your Lecturer on the submission method for your assignment coversheet (e.g. attach a file to the online assignment submission, hand-in a hard copy, or use an online quiz).

Extensions and penalties

Submission must be made by the due date otherwise penalties will be enforced.

You must negotiate any extensions formally with your campus unit leader via the in-semester special consideration process: http://www.infotech.monash.edu.au/resources/student/equity/special-consideration.html.

Returning assignments

Students can expect assignments to be returned within two weeks of the submission date or after receipt, whichever is later

Resubmission of assignments

Once submitted officially, students will not be allowed to re-submit their assignments unless they are requested to do so.

Referencing requirements

The Harvard Referencing style is preferred, otherwise information on referencing can be found at http://www.monash.edu.au/lls/llonline/quickrefs/19-styles.xml

Other Information

Policies

Monash has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University's academic standards, and to provide advice on how they might uphold them. You can find Monash's Education Policies at:
http://policy.monash.edu.au/policy-bank/academic/education/index.html

Key educational policies include:

Student services

The University provides many different kinds of support services for you. Contact your tutor if you need advice and see the range of services available at www.monash.edu.au/students The Monash University Library provides a range of services and resources that enable you to save time and be more effective in your learning and research. Go to http://www.lib.monash.edu.au or the library tab in my.monash portal for more information. Students who have a disability or medical condition are welcome to contact the Disability Liaison Unit to discuss academic support services. Disability Liaison Officers (DLOs) visit all Victorian campuses on a regular basis

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