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Module Catalogue

IB247-15 Improving Process Performance

Department
Warwick Business School
Level
Undergraduate Level 2
Module leader
Giovanni Radaelli
Credit value
15
Module duration
10 weeks
Assessment
100% exam
Study location
University of Warwick main campus, Coventry

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Introductory description

N/A.

Module web page

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 (13%)
Seminars 9 sessions of 1 hour (12%)
Online learning (scheduled sessions) 10 sessions of 1 hour (13%)
Private study 48 hours (62%)
Total 77 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 B1
Weighting Study time Eligible for self-certification
Assessment component
Online Examination 100% 73 hours No

Exam

~Platforms - AEP

  • Online examination: No Answerbook required
Reassessment component is the same
Feedback on assessment

Feedback via My.WBS

Past exam papers for IB247

Courses

Course availability information is based on the current academic year, so it may change.

This module is Optional for:

  • UIBA-N20B BSc in Management
    • Year 2 of N20B Management
    • Year 2 of N20B Management
    • Year 2 of N23K Management with Accounting
    • Year 2 of N234 Management with Digital Business
    • Year 2 of N235 Management with Entrepreneurship
    • Year 2 of N232 Management with Finance
    • Year 2 of N252 Management with Marketing
    • Year 2 of N23L Management with Strategy and Organisation
  • Year 1 of UIOA-EEU Undergraduate EU Exchange
  • UIOA-ESO Undergraduate European Exchange
    • Year 1 of UESO Undergraduate European Exchange
    • Year 1 of UESO Undergraduate European Exchange
  • Year 2 of UGEA-RN21 Undergraduate German and Business Studies
  • Year 2 of UIPA-L8N1 Undergraduate Global Sustainable Development and Business
  • Year 2 of UIPA-L8N2 Undergraduate Global Sustainable Development and Business Studies (with Intercalated Year)
  • UIBA-N20F Undergraduate International Management
    • Year 2 of N20F International Management
    • Year 2 of N20F International Management
    • Year 2 of N20S International Management (with Accounting)
    • Year 2 of N20T International Management (with Chinese)
    • Year 2 of N20P International Management (with Entrepreneurship)
    • Year 2 of N20M International Management (with Finance)
    • Year 2 of N20U International Management (with French)
    • Year 2 of N20L International Management (with Marketing)
    • Year 2 of N20V International Management (with Spanish)
    • Year 2 of N20W International Management (with Strategy and Organisation)
    • Year 2 of N20N International Management with Digital Business
    • Year 2 of N20E Management (with Foundation Year)
    • Year 2 of N234 Management with Digital Business
  • UIBA-N20J Undergraduate Management (with Foundation Year and Placement Year/Undergraduate Partnership Programme)
    • Year 3 of N20J Management (Foundation Year and Placement)
    • Year 3 of N20K Management (Foundation Year and UPP)
    • Year 3 of N23H Management with Digital Business (with Foundation Year and Placement Year)
    • Year 3 of N23J Management with Entrepreneurship (with Foundation Year and Placement Year)
    • Year 3 of N23G Management with Finance (with Foundation Year and Placement Year)
    • Year 3 of N255 Management with Marketing (with Foundation Year and Placement Year)
  • UIBA-N20E Undergraduate Management (with Foundation Year)
    • Year 3 of N20E Management (with Foundation Year)
    • Year 3 of N23N Management with Accounting (with Foundation Year and Placement Year)
    • Year 3 of N23M Management with Accounting (with Foundation Year)
    • Year 3 of N23E Management with Digital Business (with Foundation Year)
    • Year 3 of N23F Management with Entrepreneurship (with Foundation Year)
    • Year 3 of N23D Management with Finance (with Foundation Year)
    • Year 3 of N252 Management with Marketing
    • Year 3 of N254 Management with Marketing (with Foundation Year)
    • Year 3 of N23P Management with Strategy and Organisation (with Foundation Year)
  • UIBA-N20C Undergraduate Management (with Placement Year/Undergraduate Partnership Programme)
    • Year 2 of N20M International Management (with Finance)
    • Year 2 of N20B Management
    • Year 2 of N20D Management (Undergraduate Partnership Programme)
    • Year 2 of N20C Management (with Placement Year)
    • Year 2 of N20Q Management with Accounting (with Placement Year)
    • Year 2 of N236 Management with Digital Business (with Placement Year)
    • Year 2 of N237 Management with Entrepreneurship (with Placement Year)
    • Year 2 of N232 Management with Finance
    • Year 2 of N233 Management with Finance (with Placement Year)
    • Year 2 of N253 Management with Marketing (with Placement Year)
    • Year 2 of N23L Management with Strategy and Organisation
    • Year 2 of N20R Management with Strategy and Organisation (with Placement Year)
  • UIOA-EOS Undergraduate Overseas Exchange
    • Year 1 of UEOS Undergraduate Overseas Exchange
    • Year 1 of UEOS Undergraduate Overseas Exchange
  • Year 1 of UIOA-EUS Undergraduate USA Exchange