Overview
Business processes are core to an organisation and its business partners for delivering products or services to customers. In this unit, you will be introduced to discovering, scoping, assessing, modelling and redesigning business processes. This unit provides you with an overview of the foundations of process modelling, process improvement and process integration. You will use techniques to analyse organisational processes and propose improvements to those processes. You will learn workflow principles and how to re-design business processes to improve efficiency. This unit will provide you with the necessary skills to develop a report that identifies business processes and recommend improvements for organisational efficiency from a process and technological perspective.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
Prerequisite: (COIT11239 or COMM11003) and COIT11226
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 2 - 2025
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes - in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of 'pass' in order to pass the unit. If any 'pass/fail' tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully ('pass' grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the 'assessment task' section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University's Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback - Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from Unit Coordinator self-reflection / Student comments
The prescribed textbook is outdated; updating it and adding supplementary resources would improve the learning.
The lecture content will be revised, and additional resources will be included in the next offering.
Feedback from Unit Coordinator self-reflection / student comments
The unit should be updated to include workflow process automation tools to give students hands-on experience with current industry tools.
Future offerings will incorporate practical workflow process automation tools, such as Microsoft Power Automate, to align with current industry practices.
- Define and describe the concepts of workflow business processes in organisations, and assess their applicability
- Evaluate methods, tools and techniques for analysing, modelling and (re)designing business processes
- Apply appropriate techniques to model and interpret 'as-is' and 'to-be' process models
- Argue the role of business process technologies in supporting organisational business processes
- Identify organisational change issues that may arise owing to the implementation of new business processes
- Undertake a case study analysis and deliver a presentation as part of a team with an emphasis on professional communication.
The Australian Computer Society (ACS) recognises the Skills Framework for the Information Age (SFIA). SFIA is in use in over 100 countries and provides a widely used and consistent definition of ICT skills. SFIA is increasingly being used when developing job descriptions and role profiles.
ACS members can use the tool MySFIA to build a skills profile at https://www.acs.org.au/professionalrecognition/mysfia-b2c.html
This unitcontributes to the following workplace skills as defined by SFIA (codes included):
- Information Analysis (INAN)
- Business Analysis (BUAN)
- Research (RSCH)
- Business Process Improvement (BPRE)
- Requirements Definition and Management (REQM)
- Business Modelling (BSMO)
- Business Risk Management (BURM)
- Change Management (CHMG)
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | |
| 1 - Portfolio - 30% | ||||||
| 2 - Presentation - 20% | ||||||
| 3 - Written Assessment - 50% | ||||||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | |
| 1 - Communication | ||||||
| 2 - Problem Solving | ||||||
| 3 - Critical Thinking | ||||||
| 4 - Information Literacy | ||||||
| 5 - Team Work | ||||||
| 6 - Information Technology Competence | ||||||
| 7 - Cross Cultural Competence | ||||||
| 8 - Ethical practice | ||||||
| 9 - Social Innovation | ||||||
| 10 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | ||||||
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes
| Assessment Tasks | Graduate Attributes | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | |
| 1 - Portfolio - 30% | ||||||||||
| 2 - Presentation - 20% | ||||||||||
| 3 - Written Assessment - 50% | ||||||||||
Textbooks
WORKFLOW MODELLING: TOOLS FOR PROCESS IMPROVEMENT AND APPLICATION DEVELOPMENT
Edition: 2nd (2009)
Authors: Sharp, A & McDermott, P
Artech House
Norwood Norwood , MA , USA
ISBN: 1596931922
This book is widely used as a consulting guide in the Business Process Management field and freely available via CQU Library.
This book is widely used as a consulting guide in the Business Process Management field and freely available via CQU Library.
Additional Textbook Information
Supplementary material on AI-Driven Automation will be supplied.
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
- Microsoft Visio
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Harvard (author-date)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
g.galea@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
Introduction to Workflow Analysis & Modelling
- Describe and identify business processes
- Function and organisation
- Business Process Management
Chapter
Chapters 2 & 3
Events and Submissions/Topic
Start Assessment 1 Part A.
Module/Topic
Process Improvement
- Framework for process enablers
- Organisational strategy
- Define models and modelling techniques
- Process workflow models
Chapter
Chapter 4
Events and Submissions/Topic
Discuss Assessment 2 and 3 group formation with your tutor. Obtain approval for the group formation and presentation date/time by the end of Week 3. Presentations for all students will be scheduled for Week 9.
Module/Topic
Process Discovery
- Discover business processes
- Principles of process discovery
- Seven steps of process discovery
Chapter
Chapter 5
Events and Submissions/Topic
Finalise groups with your tutor in the tutorial.
Module/Topic
Process Scope and Contents
- The 'what', 'who' and 'how' of processes
- Eight steps of identifying scope and content
Chapter
Chapter 6
Events and Submissions/Topic
Submit Assessment 1 Part A.
Module/Topic
Initial As-Is Process Assessment and Business Process Technologies
- Approach business processes systematically
- Process improvement goals
- Implementation strategies
Chapter
Chapter 7 plus additional readings
Events and Submissions/Topic
Conduct a group stand-up meeting in class (tutor to observe).
Module/Topic
There are no scheduled classes this week, but your local tutor may advise you of any rescheduled classes or activities.
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Have a good break!
Module/Topic
Workflow Modelling
- Importance of swimlane diagrams
- Drawing swimlane diagrams
Chapter
Chapters 8 & 9
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
As-Is Workflow Modelling
- Complex swimlane diagrams
- Resistance to 'as-is' modeling
Chapter
Chapters 10 & 11
Events and Submissions/Topic
Conduct a group stand-up meeting in class (tutor to observe).
Module/Topic
Final As-Is Process Assessment
- Goals of the final 'as-is' process assessment
- Key steps in the final 'as-is' process assessment
Chapter
Chapter 12
Events and Submissions/Topic
Assessment 2 Presentations during Weeks 8 and 9.
Module/Topic
To-Be Process Characteristics and Workflow and Process Implementation
- Problems with process redesign efforts
- Key steps to determine 'to-be' processes
- Best practices and benchmarks
- Implementing the new process
Chapter
Chapters 13 plus refer to the unit's Moodle website for assigned readings.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Assessment 2 Presentations during Weeks 8 and 9.
Module/Topic
AI in Business Systems: Transforming Workflow Analysis and Management
- Benefits and opportunities of AI
- Risks and challenges of AI
- Ethical considerations
- The future
Chapter
Refer to the unit's Moodle website for assigned readings.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Submit Assessment 1 Part B.
Module/Topic
Process Performance Management
- Importance of organisational performance management
- Performance metrics and KPIs
- Improvement methodologies
Chapter
Refer to the unit's Moodle website for assigned readings.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Risk Evaluation, Integrating Change & Social Innovation
- Risks associated with changing workflow processes
- Success factors
- Overcoming organisational challenges
- Developing a social innovation mindset
Chapter
Refer to the unit's Moodle website for assigned readings.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Complete the Unit evaluation.
Case Study Report (50%) Due: Week 12 Friday (10 Oct 2025) 11:45 pm AEST
1 Portfolio
This individual assessment is divided into two parts.
Part A requires you to investigate process management. You will be given a topic, and using the knowledge gained in the first three weeks of the unit, you must gather background information, analyse the current situation, and identify the key activities within the existing workflow. You must use references to support your claims and ideas.
Part B builds on your work in Part A. This part requires you to identify opportunities for improvement, propose improved 'to-be' recruitment workflows, justify your choices, and compare the workflows. Your modelling will directly relate to the information supplied in Part A.
Full assessment details will be provided on the unit Moodle site.
AI ASSESSMENT SCALE - AI COLLABORATION
You may use Al to assist with specific tasks such as drafting text, refining, and evaluating your work. You must critically evaluate and modify any Al-generated content you use. If AI is used to edit/refine your final submission, you must acknowledge the use of AI tools, and the original work must be provided for comparison.
11 pm Friday of the relevant week, as specified in the Moodle site.
Two weeks after submission.
Your submission will be assessed according to the degree to which you demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of the given topic, addressing:
- Understanding the importance of workflow analysis and modelling
- Process improvement
- Process discovery
- Process scope
- "As-is" and "to-be" process modelling
References must be provided to support your work.
- Define and describe the concepts of workflow business processes in organisations, and assess their applicability
- Evaluate methods, tools and techniques for analysing, modelling and (re)designing business processes
- Apply appropriate techniques to model and interpret 'as-is' and 'to-be' process models
- Argue the role of business process technologies in supporting organisational business processes
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Information Technology Competence
- Ethical practice
2 Presentation
In this assessment item, you are required to create and deliver an oral presentation around the case study provided for Assessment 3. In the presentation, you are required to demonstrate an understanding of the case study with critical context and, most importantly, demonstrate your presentation skills. Please refer to the unit's Moodle website for a detailed description of the task.
AI ASSESSMENT SCALE - AI PLANNING
You may use Al for planning, idea development, and research. Your final submission should show how you have developed and refined these ideas. Briefly describe how AI tools were used during the planning, research, and initial idea-generation stage of the assessment.
This assessment is exempt from the 72-hour submission grace period and must be completed by the specified submission date and time.
During weeks 8 and 9.
Two weeks after submission.
Your presentation will be assessed according to the degree to which you demonstrate your capability in the following areas:
- Visual Appeal
- Comprehension/ Preparedness/Participation/Group Dynamics/Answering Questions
- Presentation Skills
- Content
- Presentation Structure/Organisation
Please refer to the Moodle unit website for specific marking criteria for this assessment. If your work is found to be copied from another source or done by someone else, plagiarism penalties will be applied as per the University's policy. Therefore, it is in your best interest to do your own work.
- Evaluate methods, tools and techniques for analysing, modelling and (re)designing business processes
- Identify organisational change issues that may arise owing to the implementation of new business processes
- Undertake a case study analysis and deliver a presentation as part of a team with an emphasis on professional communication.
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Team Work
- Cross Cultural Competence
- Ethical practice
3 Written Assessment
For this report, you are to critically evaluate an organisation’s focus on upgrading its existing information system in order to improve process workflow and stay innovative in the context of a given case study. In doing so, you will emphasise the need for the project, workflow systems, process modelling, socio-technical issues, change management, and the enablers and barriers to process change.
Please refer to the Moodle unit website for more details relating to the case study for this term.
AI ASSESSMENT SCALE - AI PLANNING
You may use Al for planning, idea development, and research. Your final submission should show how you have developed and refined these ideas. Briefly describe how AI tools were used during the planning, research, and initial idea-generation stage of the assessment.
Note:
On-campus students - If you have a genuine problem and are unable to participate in a group, please contact your campus lecturer by Friday week 4. In some cases, group formation may not be possible.
Off-campus (Distance) students - If you have a genuine problem and are unable to participate in a group, please contact the unit coordinator by Friday week 4. In some cases, group formation may not be possible.
Week 12 Friday (10 Oct 2025) 11:45 pm AEST
Submit your assessment on Moodle in the required format. See the unit site for details.
Certification of Grades Day.
Your report will be assessed according to the degree to which you demonstrate your capability in the selection and use of scholarly articles and books, understanding of the content and rationale arguments with critical evaluation, communication, presentation, and referencing skills. Please refer to the Moodle unit website for specific marking criteria for this assessment.
If your work is found to be copied from another source or done by someone else, plagiarism penalties will be applied as per the University's policy. Therefore, it is in your best interest to do your own work.
- Define and describe the concepts of workflow business processes in organisations, and assess their applicability
- Apply appropriate techniques to model and interpret 'as-is' and 'to-be' process models
- Argue the role of business process technologies in supporting organisational business processes
- Identify organisational change issues that may arise owing to the implementation of new business processes
- Undertake a case study analysis and deliver a presentation as part of a team with an emphasis on professional communication.
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Team Work
- Information Technology Competence
- Cross Cultural Competence
- Ethical practice
- Social Innovation
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.
What can you do to act with integrity?
