IFN653 Business Process Automation


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Unit Outline: Semester 2 2024, Gardens Point, Internal

Unit code:IFN653
Credit points:12
Pre-requisite:(IFN515 and IFN556) or (IFN515 and enrolment in IV54) or (IFN515 and enrolment in IV58).
Coordinator:Moe Thandar Wynn | m.wynn@qut.edu.au
Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of the teaching period.

Overview

This unit provides a detailed technical and practical exposition of modern business process automation. In order to fully realise the benefits of Business Process Management, it is essential to have the ability to transform business process models into executable process instances. These processes can be designed, executed, monitored, analysed and improved using Business Process Management Systems. The application of these systems can lead to significant cost reductions to an organisation and provide it with the flexibility to rapidly adapt to an ever-changing environment. Major themes of the unit include the theoretical and operational underpinnings of process automation, a detailed discussion on workflow patterns, runtime process flexibility and exception handling, and the design, implementation and deployment of process specifications using a state-of-the-art business process automation environment. 

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:

  1. Apply the theories, stategies, tools and techniques that inform and support the automation of business processes. (CLO2)
  2. Analyse a real world business scenario to identify opportunities for business process automation (CLO3)
  3. Design and implement automated business processes and supporting components for deployment in process aware systems environments (CLO7)
  4. Write efficient code for specialised applications that builds services to handle automation tasks (CLO7)
  5. Write user and technical documentation and reports for specialist and non-specialist audiences. (CLO5)
  6. Collaborate in a team environment to deliver an outcome for a client. (CLO4)

Content

The major topics of the unit include:

  • The components, architectures and operations of Business Process Management Systems.
  • An exploration of the major identified workflow patterns.
  • Designing executable process models.
  • Deploying and exploiting Business Process Management Systems in the Enterprise 
  • The frontiers of modern Business Process Management Systems

Learning Approaches

This unit offers a blended approach to teaching and learning, designed to maximise your opportunity to learn. In this unit you will learn through engaging in the following four main learning activities:

  • Reading/watching prescribed materials in preparation for tutorials
  • Engaging in tutorials and practical activities
  • Relating tutorial content and activities to assessment tasks
  • Relating unit content to the wider context via group discussions


The unit is modular, consisting of four discrete blocks, each containing two three-hour workshops, together with your own self-directed study, using provided materials such as videos, recorded lectures, online discussions, and readings. 

Block 1: Introduction and Foundations

Block 2: Modelling Languages and Workflow Patterns

Block 3: Process Automation Engines, Systems and Architectures

Block 4: Process Automation in the Enterprise

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

The assessments in this unit have been designed to provide you with a scaffolded learning experience. Additional support for all assessment will be provided throughout the semester. Selected supporting resources will be provided on the unit’s Canvas site. A marking guide will be available for the assessments. A detailed marking of and detailed comments on your assignments will be provided. Teaching staff is available during the lectures, tutorials and consultation hours to clarify or elaborate on the assignment content and to provide constructive feedback. Drop-in sessions may be held throughout the semester to assist with any issues that may arise, and to clarify topics as needed.

Assessment

Overview

You will analyse and develop a robust and innovative automated business process solution using a real-world case study. The assessment is designed by the unit coordinator with contribution from industry experts to ensure that the assessment reflects real-world BPM practices. You will need to use appropriate process automation tools to identify a business problem and then develop a robust solution using executable process models. We expect you to demonstrate competency in executing the prescribed tools and techniques associated with the development of your work. Students should reflect on their learning and skills throughout the entire process, and will be asked to review the effectiveness of the outputs.

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Mid-semester Quiz 1

Demonstrate your understanding of concepts covered in the previous blocks

Weight: 20
Length: 1.5 hours
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Week 4
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2, 3

Assessment: Mid-semester Quiz 2

Demonstrate your understanding of concepts covered in the previous blocks

Weight: 20
Length: 1.5 hours
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Week 8
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2, 3

Assessment: Project (Applied) and Report

This major assessment item may involve adding new functionality to an existing BPMS or building a complete application upon a BPMS, implementing a real-world scenario.

This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.

Weight: 60
Length: Whole semester
Individual/Group: Individual and group
Due (indicative): Week 12
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

Academic Integrity

Students are expected to engage in learning and assessment at QUT with honesty, transparency and fairness. Maintaining academic integrity means upholding these principles and demonstrating valuable professional capabilities based on ethical foundations.

Failure to maintain academic integrity can take many forms. It includes cheating in examinations, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, and submitting an assessment item completed by another person (e.g. contract cheating). It can also include providing your assessment to another entity, such as to a person or website.

You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.

Further details of QUT’s approach to academic integrity are outlined in the Academic integrity policy and the Student Code of Conduct. Breaching QUT’s Academic integrity policy is regarded as student misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Resources

Resource Materials

Recommended text(s)

Ruecker, Bernd, Practical Process Automation, O'Reilly Media Company. 2021. ISBN: 9781492061458

A.H.M. ter Hofstede, W.M.P. van der Aalst, M. Adams, N. Russell (Editors), Modern Business Process Automation: YAWL and its Support Environment. Springer, 2010. ISBN: 9783642031205.

Other

Additional References:

  • Mathias Weske, Business Process Management: Concepts, Languages, Architectures. Berlin; New York: Springer, c2007. ISBN: 9783540735212.
  • Yet Another Workflow Language (YAWL) home page (yawlfoundation.github.io)
  • Workflow Patterns home page (www.workflowpatterns.com)

Risk Assessment Statement

There are no unusual health or safety risks associated with this unit.