The aim of The School of Business Systems is to provide teaching and research to develop IT related business solutions for a wide range of strategic and operational decision-making problems that occur in every area of business activity. In particular, many businesses have undertaken business process re-engineering (BPR) projects under the premise of re-organising or changing their business operations to improve profits, maintain or gain competitive advantage. This aspect of business systems was introduced in this unit following consultations with and a request from the school's industry partners. At present, school units cover quantitative decision-making and computing subjects addressing specific industry areas such as manufacturing, finance, quality, tourism, service and health care. This unit addresses the broader business aspects of industry as a whole whilst focusing on IT, BPR, change management, organisational and ethical issues of the business improvement process.

Due to significant changes to course demand over the last five years the Faculty has restructured all coursework courses. During this restructure the Faculty has been mindful of changes in the profession and has consulted with relevant professional associations and senior IT executives. The new programs have been accredited by the Australian Computer Society. A key consideration in deciding which units are being taught in 2007 and beyond has been maintaining the educational objectives of each program. A consequence of the downsizing of the Faculty has been the reduction of electives in a number of programs. For 2007, the Dean has approved a once off co- teaching of some undergraduate and graduate units. This decision has been made to allow elective choice in the undergraduate degrees that are being taught out. While the units will have common lectures, the different student groups will have different tutorials and assessment

This unit focuses on the broader aspects of business improvement as a whole including the analysis and modelling of the current system, benchmarking to identify improved processes and industry best practice, developing impoved processes, and then presenting a business case including change management, orally and in writing, to obtain approval to change the business processes.

At completion of this unit, students will have obtained core knowledge in the area of business processes, analysis and modelling, acquired skills for analysing and solving business problems, i.e. recognize where problems are amenable to solution, which problem solving and decision-making techniques are the most appropriate ones to use for business case development, developed an attitude of exploration engendered by the opportunity to analyse business improvement issues, acquired basic skills in problem solving in a small team environment and public presentation of business cases.

Prescribed Text: Business Case Development (2002) published by Pearson Education Australia, ISBN 1 74009 406 9, Yen Ping Cheung and Ian Martin.

Prescribed Text: Reengineering the Corporation (2001) published by Nicholas Brealey, ISBN 1 85788 097 8, Michael Hammer and James Champy.

Assessment breakdown is as follows: Assignments 40%, One 2 hour examination 60%. Students must pass the examination in order to pass the unit.

Students do assignments to ensure that they have the necessary skills to undertake the group project and that they have attained a sufficient understanding of basic concepts of business case development. The project undertaken in small groups tests the students' ability to conduct a comprehensive analysis of a particular real business problem, including fact-finding, business modelling, benchmarking, analysis, decision-making, recommendation and implementation stages. The exam tests students' knowledge and application of the concepts of Business Case Development.

Assignments: 40% Examination :(2 hours): 60%. Students must pass the examination in order to pass the unit

1 full time lecturer, tutors as determined by student numbers, unit co-ordinator: Ian Martin

100% School of Business Systems (Clayton). 100% School of Business amd Information Technology (Malaysia). 100% School of ????? (South Africa).

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