BUS-P 550 Business Process Design

• 7 weeks
• 1.5 credits
• Prerequisite(s): MBA Core

Every organization, whether it provides a tangible manufactured good or an intangible service (or some combination of the two) must manage a variety of processes. These processes transform inputs (such as raw materials, parts, human capital) to provide outputs (a tangible good or service) which are valued by customers. Organizations that effectively design these processes to minimize wasted time, motion and materials develop an advantage over their rivals. Most organizations have numerous processes, some of which are primary components of the chain of production, some of which are secondary functions, which play a supporting role. The true power of an effective process design is to eliminate functions that do not directly add value or directly support the organization's products/services. This course examines the key methods used to analyze, develop and improve transformation processes in both the manufacturing and service sectors. The objective is to develop an understanding of trade-offs and limitations involved in process design as well as to develop an understanding of many of the basic tools used to analyze and improve processes.

• How to re-engineer a process.
• How to develop a process map.
• Terminology relating to looking at processes: cycle time, average flow rates, scheduled availability, theoretical capacity, etc.
• How to better understand process variability and its impact on process quality.