IAB203 Business Process Modelling


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Unit Outline: Semester 1 2024, Gardens Point, Internal

Unit code:IAB203
Credit points:12
Equivalent:INB320
Coordinator:Sareh Sadeghianasl | s.sadeghianasl@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 continues after IAB201 and introduces business process management concepts: how organisations improve their business processes in terms of time, cost and quality. It introduces process identification and process discovery. Furthermore, it addresses the fundamentals of process modelling: model quality, correctness issues and modelling in BPMN's collaboration and choreography diagrams. After this unit, IAB320 continues with other business process improvement steps.

Learning Outcomes

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

  1. Demonstrate knowledge of business process modelling theory, frameworks and methods.
  2. Critically analyse large organisational contexts to identify and define problems, and to prioritise issues.
  3. Create business process models for addressing complex real-world organisational problems using business process modeling languages.
  4. Communicate and justify business process recommendations professionally to stakeholders in written and visual formats.
  5. Work independently and collaborate with others to manage an deliver a project on time for a client.

Content

This unit presents a detailed introduction to the capabilities and constraints of current process modelling languages. Following from the learning acquired in Modelling IS (IAB-201), the unit will start by showing how key modelling principles (e.g. abstraction, modularisation) can be applied to business process modelling.


Next, the focus will be on the in-depth explanation and application of process modelling languages used in practice: the Business Process Model and Notation (BPMN 2.0) - the current de-facto standard for process modelling in industry.
Finally, the topics of process identification, process discovery and applying BPM in large organisations will be dealt with. Modelling tools will be introduced in the tutorials.


This unit will develop specific skills in business process modelling as well as general skills in abstraction, complexity management, critical thinking, team work and writing skills. This unit complements in particular the unit Business Process Improvement by providing deeper insights into the modelling-related issues of business process improvement projects.

Learning Approaches

This unit is available for you to study in either on-campus or online mode. You can expect to spend 10 hours per week involved in preparing for and attending scheduled classes, preparing and completing assessment tasks as well as independent study and consolidation of your learning.

The content of the unit is delivered through pre-recorded lectures, tutorials, case studies, and the QUT Canvas site. Pre-recorded lectures cover theoretical aspects of the unit, and practical sessions provide an opportunity to solve practical exercises, based on the current week's lecture. Tutorial staff will be available to provide assistance. Formative feedback is provided during each tutorial.

The unit emphasises a “hands-on” approach to learning through the illustration of new concepts through worked examples and demonstrations. The concepts introduced are presented in business scenarios. You will work on the case studies in the tutorials. You are encouraged to work in groups.

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

You can obtain feedback on your progress throughout the unit through the following mechanisms:

  • ask the teaching staff for advice and assistance during the workshop sessions;

  • each of your assignments will be returned to you before the end of semester with comments on your progress;

  • Tutors are available during the tutorials  to clarify or elaborate on the assignment content and provide constructive feedback; and

  • for the final exam you will be referred to the Faculty's formal 'Review of exam' procedures.

Assessment

Overview

General assessment information

There are two assignments and a final exam used to assess your ability to meet the unit learning outcomes of this unit. The first two assignments are group tasks that will be based on the material covered in the pre-recorded lectures and tutorials. These tasks will be discussed during these tutorials and/or pre-recorded lectures. This will provide you with a deeper understanding of the nature of the tasks. Selected supporting resources will be provided on the unit Canvas site.  A detailed marking rubric will be available for the two assignments. The final exam will be held during the central examination period and will assess all unit content.

 

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Basic Modelling

This group assignment will assess your understanding of the key concepts from the first part of the unit by applying your learning to real-world modelling scenario/s.

This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.

Weight: 25
Individual/Group: Group
Due (indicative): Week 6
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 4

Assessment: Large-scale modelling

Modelling Complex Business Processes


This group assignment focuses on more complex application areas of business process modelling. You will be given an authentic case study and are expected to provide a comprehensive project report detailing the steps and outcomes of the modelling project. This task will also assess your ability to work effectively in a group. You will get comprehensive feedback on this task.

This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.

Weight: 35
Individual/Group: Individual and group
Due (indicative): Week 13
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Assessment: Exam

Final written exam, delivered through an online system.

Weight: 40
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Central Examination Period
Central exam duration: 3:10 - Including 10 minute perusal
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 4

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

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

Resource Materials

Recommended text(s)

B. Silver: BPMN Method and Style: A Levels-based Methodology for BPM Process Modeling and Improvement Using BPMN 2.0. Cody-Cassidy Press, 2009.

J. Becker, M. Kugeler, M. Rosemann (eds.): Process Management. A Guide for the Process-oriented Design of Organizations. Eds.: Springer-Verlag: Berlin et al. 2003: Chapter 3.

M. Weske: Business Process Management. Concepts, Languages, Architectures. Springer 2007: Chapters 3 - 6.

P. Harmon. Business Process Change. A Guide for Business Managers and BPM and Six Sigma Professionals. 2nd edition, Morgan Kaufman Publishers. Amsterdam, 2007: Chapters 3, 4, 9, 15,16.

R. Davies and E. Brabaender: ARIS Design Platform. Getting Started with BPM. Springer 2007: Chapter 7.

W. van der Aalst, K. van Hee: Workflow Management. Models, Methods, and Systems (2002s): Chapter 2

ter Hofstede, W. van der Aalst, M. Adams, N. Russell (eds.), Modern Business Process Automation: YAWL and its Support Environment. Springer, 2010: Chapters 1 - 3.

Reference book(s)

M. Dumas, M. La Rosa, J. Mendling, H.A. Reijers. Fundamentals of Business Process Management. Springer 2018 (second edition): Chapters 1 - 5.

Students are encouraged to obtain a (digital) copy of the above textbook from the library.

Risk Assessment Statement

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

Course Learning Outcomes

This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.

IN01 Bachelor of Information Technology

  1. Demonstrate well-developed IT discipline knowledge
    Relates to: ULO1
  2. Critically apply design and problem solving skills
    Relates to: ULO2
  3. Work independently and within effective teams
    Relates to: ULO5
  4. Communicate effectively in professional contexts
    Relates to: ULO4
  5. Create considered and relevant IT solutions
    Relates to: ULO3