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Unit outline_

INFS3120: Business Process Analysis and Design

Semester 1, 2024 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit provides an in-depth understanding of the role of business processes in effectively and efficiently managing business operations. Students gain essential skills of the entire Business Process Management (BPM) lifecycle, from process identification and design to process monitoring, including process modelling, analysis, redesign, and automation required to achieve high performance and deliver the strategy in a service-oriented environment. Students also gain highly sought after practical skills of using BPM tools to recommend improvements by documenting and simulating current and new processes.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Business Information Systems
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
INFS2020
Assumed knowledge
? 

INFS1000 or INFO1000 or INFO1003 or INFO1903

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Mark Freeman, mark.freeman1@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Mark Freeman, mark.freeman1@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 2 April 2024
Type Description Weight Due Length
Supervised exam
? 
Final Exam
Written exam
40% Formal exam period 2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Assignment Individual Assignment
Written task
25% Week 06
Due date: 25 Mar 2024 at 23:59
Up to 1750 Words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO5 LO6
Assignment group assignment Group Plan
Pitch (5 min) Presentation & Submission
10% Week 08
Due date: 15 Apr 2024 at 23:59
Up to 500 Words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6
Assignment group assignment Group Project
Group Report Submission & Presentation
25% Week 13
Due date: 20 May 2024 at 23:59
Up to 2500 Words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

  • Individual assignment: In this assignment students will take the role of the process analyst and engage in process discovery and analysis within a given business case context. 
  • Group Plan assignment: In this assignment students will analyse the market and identify new services to be executed via new and modified business processes. Students will also develop a project plan to guide the project execution. Students will present and make a written submission.      
  • Group Report assignment: In this assignment students will design new processes following the services proposed in the Group Plan assignment. Students will assess the feasibility of the new processes, the resources required, and the challenges encountered during process implementation. Students will use Signavio (BPM tool) to document, simulate and analyse the new business processes. Students will present a summary of the findings and recommendations.  
  • Final exam: A supervised exam that will test students theoretical understanding, critical thinking, and ability to apply and evaluate BPM concepts and principles in practice. 

Detailed information for each assessment will be released as appropiate on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school. 

Distinction

75 - 84

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

Credit

65 - 74

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

Pass

50 - 64

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school. 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

As per policy.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Introduction to the Unit and Business Process Management (BPM) Workshop (3 hr) LO1
Week 02 Process identification Workshop (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5 LO6
Week 03 Process discovery Workshop (3 hr) LO2 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 04 Process modelling using BPMN and Signavio Workshop (3 hr) LO2 LO5 LO6
Week 05 Process analysis (1) (qualitative) Workshop (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO6
Week 06 Process analysis (2) (quantitative): Simulation using Signavio (As-Is model) Workshop (3 hr) LO2 LO5 LO6
Week 07 Process improvement (1) - Redesign heuristics Workshop (3 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6
Week 08 Group plan presentations - feedback collection Workshop (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6
Week 09 Process improvement (2) - Simulation using Signavio (To-Be model) Workshop (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 10 Process implementation and monitoring Workshop (3 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6
Week 11 Process automation; Group project consultation Workshop (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 12 Unit review; Group project consultation Workshop (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 13 Group project presentations Workshop (3 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6

Attendance and class requirements

Students are strongly encouraged to attend the workshops in order to achieve the learning outcomes. 

Class details: 

  • The workshops will focus on applied exercises
  • Students should attend and actively participate in all classes.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

  • Marlon D., Marcello L. R., Jan M., Hajo A. R. (2018). Fundamentals of Business Process Management, (2nd ed), Springer Berlin Heidelberg. [ISBN: 978-3-662-56509-4 (ebook) and 978-3-662-56508-7 (hardcover) and 978-3-662-58585-6 (softcover)]
  • The eBook is available for purchase: https://www.springer.com/gp/book/9783662565087; and free access via the University Library. 

All further readings for this unit can be accessed through the Reading List, available via Canvas.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. Discuss the role of Business Process Management (BPM) in a business environment and how BPM initiatives contribute to improving the overall business performance
  • LO2. Apply the BPM principles, concepts, and frameworks to business problems and practice as captured in the BPM lifecycle
  • LO3. Address the issues and challenges associated with process improvement initiatives in organisations
  • LO4. Evaluate the impact of process design and redesign decisions on stakeholders and the role of change management in addressing the risks associated with such changes in organisations
  • LO5. Use BPM tools to model, document, and analyse processes during the BPM lifecycle stages
  • LO6. Work independently, collaborate, and communicate in a professional manner with people from diverse backgrounds within a team work environment

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

This unit is continually updated in response to student feedback, including a greater emphasis on case studies, revised assessments, and updated learning materials.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.