IB247-15 Improving Process Performance
Introductory description
N/A.
Module aims
- To provide start-of-art definitions and models to describe the main components of an process.
- To provide start-of-art models, concepts and tools to define and measure the performances of a process.
- To provide start-of-art models, concepts and tools to prioritize areas of improvements in a process.
- To provide start-of-art languages and techniques of process mapping to describe the flow of activities in a process.
- To provide start-of-art models, concepts and tools to analyse and diagnose the shortcomings of a process.
- To provide start-of-art models, concepts and tools to design process improvement solutions.
- To describe and analyse alternative methodologies of (and approaches to) process improvement, e.g. oriented to radical innovation or to incremental changes.
- To show and support the application of the models, concepts, tools and languages in practice, e.g. through games, experiments and case studies.
- To enable interactive discussions about the use and limitations of the models, concepts, tools and languages in multiple contexts of application, e.g. through comment sections, discussion forums.
- To facilitate collaborative discussions and applications of the models, concepts, tools and languages among students, e.g. through group work and discussion forums.
Outline syllabus
This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.
Week 1: Definition of process, performance and types of improvement (Online Lecture).
Week 1: Development of Key Performance Indicators (Seminar).
Week 2: Prioritization of Performance Factors (Online Lecture and Seminar).
Week 3: Process Mapping (Online Lecture and Seminar).
Week 4: Process Analysis and Process Diagnosis (Online Lecture and Seminar).
Week 5: Review of First Half.
Week 6: Total Quality Management (Online Lecture and Seminar).
Week 7: Business Process Re-Engineering (Online Lecture and Seminar).
Week 8: Lean (Online Lecture and Seminar).
Week 9: Six Sigma (Online Lecture and Seminar).
Week 10: Benchmarking (Online Lecture and Seminar).
Learning outcomes
By the end of the module, students should be able to:
- Define key concepts of process improvement, such as performance, benchmarking, just-in-time.
- Gain an ability to apply and critically evaluate a number of process improvement tools and techniques for analysing and improving operations.
Indicative reading list
Core text:
- Slack, N., Brandon-Jones, A., Johnson, R. (2016) Operations Management (eight edition), London, UK: Pearson.
Additional reading: - Deming, W.E. (2001). Out of the crisis. MIT Press
- Dumas, M., La Rosa, M., Mendling, J., & Reijers, H. A. (2013). Fundamentals of business process management . Heidelberg: Springer.
- Garvin, D.A. (1986). "Competing on the Eight Dimensions of Quality". Harvard Business Review, November 1987 Issue.
- Hill, A. & T. Hill (2012) Operations Management (3rd ed.) Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.
- Liker, J. (2004), The Toyota Way: 14 management principles from the world's greatest manufacturer, McGraw-Hill Professional.
- Slack, N. (1994). "The Importance-Performance Matrix as a Determinant of Improvement Priority". International Journal of Operations & Production Management 14(5), 59-75.
- Womack, J.P., Jones, D.T. and Roos, D. (2007), The machine that changed the world, Simon and Schuster.
Subject specific skills
Understand the use and limitations of key models, tools and languages of process improvement, e.g. the importance-performance matrix.
Apply the models, concepts, tools and languages of process improvement in real- life case scenarios.
Compare and contrast the different models, tools and languages, to understand which are more appropriate in different circumstances.
Select an appropriate approach of process improvement (or combination of), based on their advantages, limitations and costs of models, tools and concepts.
Transferable skills
Work in groups to prepare and present case studies.
Develop analytic skills through case study analysis.
Conduct independent research using primary and secondary data.
Demonstrate oral and written communication skills.
Study time
| Type | Required |
|---|---|
| Lectures | 10 sessions of 1 hour (7%) |
| Seminars | 9 sessions of 1 hour (6%) |
| Online learning (scheduled sessions) | 10 sessions of 1 hour (7%) |
| Private study | 48 hours (32%) |
| Assessment | 73 hours (49%) |
| Total | 150 hours |
Private study description
Private Study.
Costs
No further costs have been identified for this module.
You do not need to pass all assessment components to pass the module.
Assessment group B
| Weighting | Study time | |
|---|---|---|
| Online Examination | 100% | 73 hours |
|
Exam |
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Feedback on assessment
Feedback via My.WBS
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