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A course site has been set up at https://uwp.courses.wisconsin.edu/. This site will contain announcements, notes, discussion groups, virtual chat, and grades.
Business Process Improvement (BPI) is a systematic approach to helping an organization analyze and improve its processes. A business process is a collection of activities that creates an output that is of value to some customer. Examples of business processes include the delivery of a product to a customer, the approval of a credit card application, and the production of an invoice and subsequent payment. Business processes can be improved at any level of an organization or can be improved across multiple organizations. A common BPI application today is supply chain management.
Typically, BPI uses information technology to help change business processes so that costs are reduced, service is improved, or cycle times are reduced. Several BPI methodologies exist. Most methodologies require the construction of an “As-Is” and “To-Be” model. This course will cover at least one of these methodologies and the modeling technique that accompanies the methodology. Students will identify an organization (or part of an organization) that needs improvement. Next, they will analyze the current system, investigate possible IT solutions; determine mesures of process effectiveness; redesign the current system; model the system graphically and in a simulation; and propose a plan to move from the “As-Is” system to the “To-Be” system. Topics covered in this course include: modeling, simulation, value chain, lean manufacturing, process mapping, six-sigma, metrics, and benchmarking.
Students in BUS 727 (Business Process Improvement) will be able to:
The objectives above will be assessed through the use of homework, presentations, quizzes and a project. The homework consists of case analyses and the development of graphical and simulation models. The quizzes covers managerial and modeling topics. Presentation: Each student (or team of students) will be responsible for presenttng a BPR topic (see the schedule below). Impromptu presentations will also be completed in class. The project will be described in more detail below.
Grades are assigned as follows: 93-100% A, 90-92% A-, 87-89% B+, 83-86% B, 80-82% B-, 77-79% C+, 73-76% C, 70-73% C-, less than 70% F. Final grades are based on the following percentages: Homework and Quizzes 35%, Project 35%, Class Presentations 15%, Class Participation 15%.
The following outline and schedule may be changed at the discretion of the instructor.
Date |
Reading |
HW |
Subject |
| Sept. 9 | Chpt. 1 | Introduction, Systems Thinking, Processes, Scope and Improvement | |
| Sept.16 | Chpt. 2-3 | HW 1 Due (see D2L) | Process Modeling and Analysis, Value Analysis and Cause/Effect |
| Sept. 23 | Chpt. 5, Case: Nazar Foods | HW 2, Presentation: Process Measures, Balanced Score Card | Process Measuring, Six Sigma, QFD |
| Sept. 30 | Chpt. 6-7, Case: Travel Management | HW 3, Presentation: BPR Examples | Process Simulation |
| Oct. 7 | Chpt. 9, Case: Madison Ave. | HW 4, Presentation: Leading Practices | Identifying Improvements, Leading Process Practices |
| Oct. 14 | Chpt. 10-11, Case: Change Intervention | HW 5, Presentation: Leading Practices | Identifying Improvements, Leading Practices, Change Management |
| Oct. 21 | Project Due | Review and Presentations |
Teams of 3 to 5 students must propose and model a redesigned business process. The project should include an executive summary, a brief description of the business, a description of the existing process (including the objectives, functions, technology used and people involved), a description of the potential problems or opportunities that are related to the existing process, a description of the new business process (including objects, functions, technology, and people), a business case that justifies the change, a list of measures that will be used to determine success, change management issues, and an optional brief project plan (including a budget, timeline, and resources) for implementing the project.
Unless otherwise indicated, students must complete their own homework. Copying homework is not allowed. If help is needed, the student is encouraged to ask the professor or some other "expert" in process improvement.
Homework must be turned in at the beginning of class. There is a 10% per day penalty for late homework.
Read materials before class. A portion of your final grade is based on class participation.
Any student who, because of a disabling condition, may require some special arrangements in order to meet course requirements should contact the instructor as soon as possible to make necessary accommodations.