Business Process Analysis: Part 2 Collaborative Problem-Solving (due 9/15/2024)
In Part 2 of the Business Process Analysis assignment, you will engage in collaborative problem-solving by reviewing and responding to at least two of your classmates' postings. Your responses should go beyond simple agreement or disagreement; they should be substantive, insightful, and aimed at advancing the discussion.
What to Include in Your Response:
- Depth of Analysis: Provide a thoughtful response that builds on your classmates' work. Consider adding new perspectives, expanding on their ideas, or offering constructive critiques.
- Solutions & Root Cause Analysis: Your responses should include at least one paragraph with examples of solutions or root cause analysis of the problems identified. Make sure your suggestions are practical and relevant.
- Supporting Evidence: Enhance your response with concrete examples, such as screenshots, data, or external links. This evidence should support your response and provide additional value to the discussion.
- Focus on Impact: As you engage with your classmates, consider how their identified processes and issues could affect student success. Refer to key performance metrics (KPIs) as you explore these impacts, especially in the context of Chapter 4 from your textbook.
Business Process Analysis: Part 1 (due 9/1/2024)
Objective: This assignment will engage you in analyzing, evaluating, and redesigning a student-oriented business process at CSU that can be enhanced through process improvement and the application of technology. Your work will be based on concepts from Chapter 3 and Business Plug-in B2: Business Process Improvement in your textbook.
Assignment Overview: This discussion forum is divided into two parts:
Part 1: Identify and redesign a student-oriented business process at CSU (Due: 9/1/2024)
Part 2: Peer review and feedback on other students' postings (Due: 9/15/2024)
To succeed in this assignment, you must thoroughly follow the steps below. Carefully review the provided resources, including Business Plug-in B2: Business Process Redesign in your textbook, to help you with your analysis and redesign.
Steps:
Step 1: Select a Business Process
Choose a student-focused business process at CSU that would benefit from improvement. Examples of processes include but are not limited to the student admissions process, financial aid, attending or learning about athletic events, signing up for tutoring, accessing library resources, career services, parking/transportation, dining access/options, course registration, advising, recreation, computer help, ID cards, information and access to scholarships or internships, etc.
The process you select should directly impact the student experience at CSU, whether for in-person or online students.
Step 2: Create an "As-Is" Process Map
Develop a detailed process map illustrating the current state ("As-Is") of the process you’ve selected. This map should clearly show each step involved in the process as it currently exists. For example, if you choose the course registration process, you might map the steps from scheduling an advising appointment through the start of classes. The process map can be created using MS Word, PowerPoint, or similar tools.
Step 3: Identify Pain Points
Examine your "As-Is" process map and identify any redundant, frustrating, time-consuming, or ineffective steps. These pain points represent areas where the process could improve efficiency, user-friendliness, and effectiveness.
Step 4: Design a "To-Be" Process Map
Based on your analysis, create a redesigned process map ("To-Be") that addresses the identified pain points. Highlight steps that can be:
- Automated (e.g., through a mobile app or online system)
- Streamlined
- Simplified
- Eliminated
Your redesigned process should demonstrate a clear improvement over the current process.
Step 5: Summarize Your Analysis
Write a brief narrative (approximately one paragraph) explaining why the process you selected needs improvement. Discuss the specific inefficiencies or challenges that your redesign addresses.
Step 6: Discuss the Impact of Your Improvements
In your posting, explain how your recommended process improvements will positively impact CSU students. Consider aspects such as:
- Enhancing student satisfaction
- Improving the learning experience or engagement
- Facilitating progression toward graduation
- Strengthening communication
- Saving time or reducing stress
- Boosting productivity
- Providing easier access to information or services
Be sure to include a discussion of how technology plays a role in your proposed improvements.
Submission Guidelines:
- Process Maps: Your "As-Is" and "To-Be" process maps should be embedded directly in your discussion post as images. You can create these diagrams in MS Word or PowerPoint, then save and insert them as images using the "Insert Stuff" option or by inserting them directly into your post. Please do not attach files separately; embedded images are required for credit.
Note: Careful thought and clarity in your process diagrams and narrative are crucial for full credit.
Example 1: Course Registration Process Redesign
Example 2: Ordering Textbook Process Redesign
Source: https://bus206.pressbooks.com/chapter/chapter-9-info-systems-strategic-advantage/