MNM1G002: Managing Processes & Systems

Module code: MNM1G002

Module provider: Business Informatics, Systems and Accounting; Henley Business School

Credits: 15

Level: Postgraduate Masters Stage 1

When you'll be taught: Full year

Module convenor: Dr Mona Ashok, email: m.ashok@henley.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: No placement specified

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students:

Talis reading list:

Last updated: 28 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This module focuses on the key principles that underpin the delivery of goods and services by organisations. It takes a systems and processes approach, integrating elements of operations management, information systems management and project management. Whilst processes are viewed as key enablers of business strategy, the module emphasises the need to understand such processes systemically. The key topics cover the design, implementation and on-going operation of goods and service delivery in a variety of organisational contexts. This module focuses on the key principles that underpin the delivery of goods and services by organisations. It takes a systems and processes approach, integrating elements of operations management, information systems management and project management. Whilst processes are viewed as key enablers of business strategy, the module emphasises the need to understand such processes systemically. The key topics cover the design, implementation and on-going operation of goods and service delivery in a variety of organisational contexts.

The module is targeted at practising managers to enable them to: 

• align delivery system and process design to the strategic requirements of the organisation 

• implement process change through the application of project management techniques 

• evaluate and improve the on-going delivery of goods and services

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. evaluate critically the applicability of module concepts to specific organisational contexts  

2. describe, analyse and evaluate the design of delivery systems and processes using appropriate models and frameworks  

3. describe, analyse and evaluate the performance of delivery systems and processes using appropriate models and frameworks 

4. identify opportunities to improve delivery performance and design appropriate strategies for achieving that improvement 

5. employ project management techniques to manage novel activity to realise benefits from process change in a complex environment

Additional Outcomes:

There are a range of activities to develop programme members’ proficiency in analysing delivery systems and processes. By the end of the module it is expected that programme members will be able to demonstrate their ability to: 

• communicate their analysis clearly and confidently, through written reports  

• work autonomously, as well as collaboratively, managing their process of study, prioritising appropriately 

• manage the research process to gather required information and data with minimum of guidance 

• select and use appropriate tools, models and frameworks to develop a critical analysis of a business situation  

• reflect critically on their own understanding and ability to communicate with others in the subject area 

Module content

All organisations use processes to create the goods and services they provide to customers. These processes are a core part of the delivery systems that take inputs and transform them in some way to produce outputs in the form of goods and/or services. The management of such delivery systems implies three capabilities if the organisation is to prosper in a complex environment: 

• the capability to align delivery systems with the organisation’s strategy, through effective process and system design 

• the capability to deploy new system designs capable of delivering the desired goods and services through effective project management  

• the capability to operate delivery systems on an ongoing basis including performance evaluation, management of quality and the development of improvement programmes  

The module is structured around these key themes to provide an integrated, life-cycle approach to the management of delivery processes and systems in a range of organisational contexts. 

The module draws on examples of practice and case studies from operations and process management around the world.

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

The module uses a blended-learning approach, incorporating face-to-face workshop(s), self-study, and online tutor support. A three-day workshop is run for the module, covering the key topics from the syllabus with a range of exercises for group activity and discussion. Further content is delivered online, structured around key readings from the course textbook, journal articles and other sources, with a series of practical activities for each topic. Tutor support is also available online.

The contact hours are shown for one semester in the table below for illustrative purposes only. The actual timing will vary depending on your cohort start date.

Study hours

At least 21 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 50% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

This module is subject to the Penalties for late submission for Postgraduate Flexible programmes policy, which can be found at:

https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmissionpgflexible.pdf

The Module Convenor will apply the following penalties to work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted up to one calendar month after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark; 
• where the piece of work is submitted more than one calendar month after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Formative assessment is through feedback for group work in workshops.

Reassessment

Additional costs