Course coordinator
Mrs Shahrzad Roohy Gohar
Consultation hours: please see "Course Staff" menu in Blackboard.
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 2, 2025 (28/07/2025 - 22/11/2025)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Business School
Improving organisational efficiency and effectiveness is a top priority for senior management. To enable such improvements it is crucial that the organisation be viewed from a process perspective. This course provides students with an introduction to Business Process Management and enables them to develop skills in business process modelling using the international BPMN modelling standard. The course also introduces students to concepts of Lean Thinking and facilitates the development of process improvement skills using several process improvement techniques.
Business Process Management (BPM) is a body of knowledge that relates to the identification, documentation, design, and management of business operations. BPM skills are highly sought after by many organisations as they enable positive change with respect to operational resilience and efficiency. In today’s global and competitive environment, the ability to identify and eliminate waste, as well as to redesign processes to take advantage of new technologies, is key to organisations remaining competitive.
Sustainable Development Goals - UQ Business School is a proud supporter and Advanced Signatory of the United Nations Principles for Responsible Management Education (UN PRME). As part of the largest global collaboration between business schools and the UN, the school emphasises its role in empowering students to drive societal transformation through the Sustainable Development Goals. The SDGs highlight that a thriving economy relies on a healthy environment, aiming to balance economic growth, social well-being, and environmental protection for a sustainable future.
Course requirements
Assumed background
Before attempting this course, students are advised that it is important to complete the appropriate prerequisite course(s) listed on the front of this course profile. No responsibility will be accepted by the School of Business, the Faculty of Business, Economics and Law or The University of Queensland for poor student performance occurring in courses where the appropriate prerequisite(s) has/have not been completed, for any reason whatsoever.
Prerequisites
You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:
BISM1201
Incompatible
You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:
MGTS2203 or BISM7216 or MGTS7216
Restrictions
Quota: Minimum of 35 enrolments
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Mrs Shahrzad Roohy Gohar
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Additional timetable information
Please note: Teaching staff do not have access to the timetabling system to help with class allocation. Therefore, should you need help with your timetable and/or allocation of classes, please ensure you email business.mytimetable@uq.edu.au from your UQ student email account with the following details:
- Full Name
- Student ID
- Course Code
Aims and outcomes
This course aims to introduce students to Business Process Management (BPM) and various process improvement techniques used in business to improve operational efficiency and effectiveness. Students will
develop knowledge of the process lifecycle and skills in modelling organisational processes using the international BPMN modelling standard, and further develop knowledge of several popular process
analysis and improvement techniques, including Lean.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Demonstrate knowledge of Business Process Management and the process lifecycle.
LO2.
Apply business process modelling skills using international modelling standards.
LO3.
Apply knowledge of process improvement techniques including as part of a team.
LO4.
Analyse common process bottlenecks and problems.
LO5.
Demonstrate process analysis skills.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Project, Tutorial/ Problem Set |
A1: Process Modelling
|
30% |
Milestone 1 28/08/2025 2:00 pm Milestone 2 4/09/2025 2:00 pm Final Submission 11/09/2025 2:00 pm |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Project |
A2: Team Process Improvement Project
|
25% |
Milestone 1 9/10/2025 2:00 pm Milestone 2 16/10/2025 2:00 pm Final Submission 23/10/2025 2:00 pm |
| Examination |
Final Exam
|
45% |
End of Semester Exam Period 8/11/2025 - 22/11/2025 |
Assessment details
A1: Process Modelling
- Mode
- Product/ Artefact/ Multimedia, Written
- Category
- Project, Tutorial/ Problem Set
- Weight
- 30%
- Due date
Milestone 1 28/08/2025 2:00 pm
Milestone 2 4/09/2025 2:00 pm
Final Submission 11/09/2025 2:00 pm
- Other conditions
- Longitudinal.
- Learning outcomes
- L02
Task description
- For this individual project, you are required to model an as-is process using the BPMN modelling notation.
- A narrative of the process (process walkthrough) will be provided for you to interpret and model.
- This assignment will include multiple graded milestones to be submitted prior to the final submission date. Feedback on the correct approach will be provided in tutorials after each milestone to assist with learning key techniques, with the assignment grade provided after all components have been submitted.
- Milestone submissions must be made on the due dates, or within 3 days even if an extension has been approved as per UQ's formal process. Any later submissions will not be marked for that component.
- Further details about this project will be discussed in class and posted to our course Blackboard site.
AI Statement
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) are emerging tools that may support students in completing this assessment task. Students may appropriately use AI and/or MT in completing this assessment task. Students must clearly reference any use of AI or MT in each instance.
A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Online submission through Blackboard Assessment link.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
A2: Team Process Improvement Project
- Team or group-based
- Mode
- Product/ Artefact/ Multimedia, Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Project
- Weight
- 25%
- Due date
Milestone 1 9/10/2025 2:00 pm
Milestone 2 16/10/2025 2:00 pm
Final Submission 23/10/2025 2:00 pm
- Other conditions
- Peer assessed, Longitudinal.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05
Task description
- You will be required to work in teams of 4-5 students for this project.
- Based on a provided scenario, your task requires modelling of an as-is process, analysis of the process, and development of improvement recommendations and a related to-be process model.
- This assignment will include graded milestones prior to the final submission date. Feedback on the correct approach will be provided in tutorials after each milestone to assist with learning key techniques, with the assignment grade provided after all components have been submitted.
- Further details about this project will be discussed in class and posted to our course Blackboard site.
- This project, being a team project, will use Group Peer Assessment to ensure all team members have contributed well to the team.
- All team members will evaluate their fellow team members, and this peer evaluation process may affect an individual's mark (ie, it may be that not all team members receive the same mark). Therefore, you are strongly encouraged to incorporate mechanisms that capture evidence about the team process, such as dates/agendas for meetings, fair/agreed allocation of duties, internal team timelines, etc.
- Your peer assessment outcome will moderate your total marks for this assignment.
- A detailed rubric for the project is accessible via Blackboard.
AI Statement
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) are emerging tools that may support students in completing this assessment task. Students may appropriately use AI and/or MT in completing this assessment task. Students must clearly reference any use of AI or MT in each instance.
A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Online submission through Blackboard Assessment link.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Final Exam
- Identity Verified
- In-person
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 45%
- Due date
End of Semester Exam Period
8/11/2025 - 22/11/2025
- Other conditions
- Time limited, Secure.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L04, L05
Task description
Your final exam will be a closed-book invigilated and in-person exam. The exam duration will be 2 hours.
It will be largely based on a mini-case study scenario as described in the text. As such, it will require you to comprehend, assess, analyse and recommend solutions using techniques taught on the course. There will also be multiple choice questions and short answer questions. This is an individual assessment. Academic integrity provisions will be applied. The allocation of marks will be clearly indicated on each question. The exam will cover all course materials.
Further details will be discussed in class and posted to our course Blackboard website.
AI Statement
This assessment task is to be completed in-person. The use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT) tools will not be permitted. Any attempted use of AI or MT may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Exam details
| Planning time | 10 minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 120 minutes |
| Calculator options | (In person) Casio FX82 series only or UQ approved and labelled calculator |
| Open/closed book | Closed book examination - no written materials permitted |
| Exam platform | Paper based |
| Invigilation | Invigilated in person |
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 0 - 29 |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 2 (Fail) | 30 - 46 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 47 - 49 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - 64 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 5 (Credit) | 65 - 74 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75 - 84 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
Additional course grading information
Grades will be allocated according to University-wide standards of criterion-based assessment.
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Library resources are available on the UQ Library website.
Additional learning resources information
Sustainable Development Goals
This course integrates the following Sustainable Development Goals throughout course learning activities.
Goal 8: Decent work and economic growth
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Week 1 |
Lecture |
Business Process Management and Business Value Introduction to the course and the business process lifecycle. Learning outcomes: L01 |
Week 2 |
Lecture |
BPM History and Enterprise Capability Learn about key ideas that have influenced BPM, and understand the required enterprise capability. Learning outcomes: L01 |
Tutorial |
Tute 1 - Process Management & Business Value Introduction to the course and the business process lifecycle. Learning outcomes: L01 |
|
Week 3 |
Lecture |
Process Modelling with BPMN Introduction to BPMN modelling using basic constructs EKKA Public Holiday - Wednesday 13 August 2025 - Check Blackboard for announcements about affected classes. Learning outcomes: L02 |
Tutorial |
Tute 2 - BPM History and Enterprise Capability Learn about key ideas that have influenced BPM, and understand the required enterprise capability. Learning outcomes: L01 |
|
Week 4 |
Lecture |
Process Modelling Practice Put your BPMN skills to practice: hands-on practical session using basic BPMN constructs Learning outcomes: L02 |
Tutorial |
Tute 3 -Process Modelling with BPMN Introduction to BPMN modelling using basic constructs Learning outcomes: L02 |
|
Week 5 |
Lecture |
Extended Process Modelling Extend your modelling skills with a select set of advanced BPMN constructs Learning outcomes: L02 |
Tutorial |
Tute 4 - Process Modelling Practice Put your BPMN skills to practice: hands-on practical session using basic BPMN constructs Learning outcomes: L02 |
|
Week 6 |
Lecture |
Process Identification and Process Architectures Learn about Process Architectures and how they are identified/designed. Learning outcomes: L01, L05 |
Tutorial |
Tute 5 - Extended Process Modelling Extend your modelling skills with a select set of advanced BPMN constructs Learning outcomes: L02 |
|
Week 7 |
Lecture |
Process Discovery and Process Mining Learn about methods used to understand current processes so they can be modelled. Learning outcomes: L02, L05 |
Tutorial |
Tute 6 - Process ID & Process Architectures Learn about Process Architectures and how they are identified/designed. Learning outcomes: L01, L05 |
|
Week 8 |
Lecture |
Qualitative Process Analysis Learn about Lean and how it differs from Six Sigma. Discover value-added analysis & related qualitative analyses. Introduction to group work. Learning outcomes: L03, L04 |
Tutorial |
Tute 7 - Process Discovery and Process Mining Learn about methods used to understand current processes so they can be modelled. Learning outcomes: L02, L05 |
|
Week 9 |
Lecture |
Quantitative Process Analysis Process Flow Analysis & Simulation Learning outcomes: L03, L04 |
Tutorial |
Tute 8 - Qualitative Process Analysis Learn about Lean and how it differs from Six Sigma. Discover value-added analysis & related qualitative analyses. Introduction to group work. Learning outcomes: L03, L04 |
|
Mid Sem break |
No student involvement (Breaks, information) |
In-Semester Break |
Week 10 |
Lecture |
Process Improvement Process Redesign Learning outcomes: L01, L03, L04, L05 |
Tutorial |
Tute 9 - Quantitative Process Analysis Process Flow Analysis & Simulation Learning outcomes: L03, L04 |
|
Week 11 |
Lecture |
Process Implementation and Monitoring Learn about technical and organisational aspects of process implementation, as well as methods for process monitoring. Learning outcomes: L04, L05 |
Tutorial |
Tute 10 - Process Improvement Process Redesign Learning outcomes: L01, L03, L04, L05 |
|
Week 12 |
Lecture |
Industry Guest Lecture: Process Improvement Applied Fascinating, real-life insights and examples of improving business processes - including process digitisation - from a highly experienced BPM practitioner. Learning outcomes: L01, L03, L04 |
Tutorial |
Tute 11 - Process Implementation and Monitoring Learn about technical and organisational aspects of process implementation, as well as methods for process monitoring. Learning outcomes: L04, L05 |
|
Week 13 |
Lecture |
Course Review, Simulation and Exam Preparation Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Tutorial |
Tute 12 - Industry: Process Improvement Applied Fascinating, real-life insights and examples of improving business processes - including process digitisation - from a highly experienced BPM practitioner. Learning outcomes: L01, L03, L04 |
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments for Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.