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Don Hussey

The course wraps up with a detailed case study on improving operational processes of an airport.

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UPDATE: The audio issue has been resolved. Some of you found that the last few seconds of some lectures were being cut off. Now fixed.

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What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Manage, improve and reengineer business processes
  • Model processes using flowcharts, uml activity diagrams and bpmn business process diagrams
  • Apply their knowledge to real-world processes

Syllabus

Course Overview

Overview of the course. Who the course is designed for. About the instructor.

Business Process Management

All about business processes. What they are, what they're for, and how they're composed.

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All about managing business processes. Three types of processes. Mini-history of BPM.

First, an overview of the business process life cycle. Then an overview of several BPM methodologies, focusing on Lean Six Sigma.

Business Process Modeling

Concepts of process modeling, focusing on the attributes of a good modeling notation.

All about swim lane flowcharts. How good are they for modeling processes?

How to construct UML activity diagrams. Do they fare any better for modeling processes?

The basics of business process diagram construction. How well do they fit the need?

Scenario

Overview of the course scenario. Introduction to the problem and the approach to resolving it.

Define phase of the scenario. Here we will define the process "ecosystem."

Measure phase of the scenario. In this phase, we'll decide what to measure and how to measure it.

Analyze phase of the scenario. Here we'll look at each step in the process to identify where the problems are.

Improve phase of the scenario. In this phase, we'll design our new process (and implement it).

Control phase of the scenario. Here we monitor the new process and look for opportunities to improve it further.

Conclusion of the scenario. What did we learn?

Course Conclusion

Course conclusion... Where to go next!

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Applies knowledge to real-world processes, which is essential for professionals aiming to improve operational efficiency and effectiveness in various industries
Covers Lean Six Sigma methodologies, which are widely used in business process management for continuous improvement and waste reduction
Models processes using flowcharts, UML activity diagrams, and BPMN business process diagrams, which are standard tools for process visualization and communication
Includes a detailed case study on improving operational processes of an airport, providing practical insights into real-world challenges and solutions
Requires learners to apply their knowledge to a scenario, which may require additional research and preparation outside of the course materials

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Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Introduction to Business Process Modeling with these activities:
Review Lean Six Sigma Principles
Reviewing Lean Six Sigma principles will provide a solid foundation for understanding the process improvement methodologies discussed in the course.
Browse courses on Lean Six Sigma
Show steps
  • Read articles and watch videos on Lean Six Sigma methodologies.
  • Summarize the key concepts and tools of Lean Six Sigma.
Review 'BPMN Method and Style' by Bruce Silver
Studying 'BPMN Method and Style' will provide a deeper understanding of BPMN 2.0 and best practices for process modeling.
Show steps
  • Read the book 'BPMN Method and Style'.
  • Practice creating BPMN diagrams using the book's guidelines.
  • Compare your diagrams with the examples in the book.
Review 'The Goal' by Eliyahu M. Goldratt
Reading 'The Goal' will provide a practical understanding of process bottlenecks and optimization, complementing the course's theoretical concepts.
Show steps
  • Read the book 'The Goal'.
  • Identify the key principles of the Theory of Constraints.
  • Relate the principles to the airport case study in the course.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Create a BPMN Diagram for a Simple Process
Creating a BPMN diagram will reinforce your understanding of the notation and its application to real-world processes.
Show steps
  • Choose a simple process, such as ordering food online.
  • Identify the activities, events, and gateways in the process.
  • Create a BPMN diagram using a modeling tool.
  • Share the diagram with peers for feedback.
Analyze and Improve a Personal Process
Applying the course concepts to a personal process will solidify your understanding and demonstrate practical application.
Show steps
  • Identify a personal process, such as managing emails or planning your day.
  • Model the current process using a flowchart or BPMN diagram.
  • Analyze the process for inefficiencies and bottlenecks.
  • Design an improved process and implement the changes.
  • Monitor the new process and measure its effectiveness.
Follow Advanced BPMN Modeling Tutorials
Following advanced tutorials will expose you to more complex BPMN modeling scenarios and techniques.
Show steps
  • Search for online tutorials on advanced BPMN topics, such as event sub-processes or compensation events.
  • Follow the tutorials and create the corresponding BPMN diagrams.
  • Experiment with different modeling techniques and compare the results.
Volunteer to Model Processes for a Local Organization
Volunteering provides real-world experience in applying BPMN to solve practical problems for an organization.
Show steps
  • Contact a local non-profit or community organization.
  • Offer to model their business processes using BPMN.
  • Work with the organization to understand their processes and identify areas for improvement.
  • Create BPMN diagrams and present them to the organization.

Career center

Learners who complete Introduction to Business Process Modeling will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Process Improvement Specialist
A process improvement specialist focuses on increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of organizational processes, which is the central focus of this course. This course teaches how to model processes using flowcharts, UML activity diagrams, and BPMN diagrams. Process improvement specialists benefit from the course's deep dive on process lifecycles, which includes how to define, measure, analyze, and improve processes. The case study on airport operational improvement provides practical experience that is directly relevant to the work of a process improvement specialist. Therefore, this course will provide a knowledge base that is invaluable to this role.
Process Analyst
A process analyst examines organizational workflows, seeking to identify areas for improvement. They use tools like flowcharts and diagrams to understand and document processes, which is a key focus of this course. This course introduces business process management and modeling, using techniques such as flowcharts, UML activity diagrams, and BPMN business process diagrams. The course's case study on improving airport operations directly relates to the real-world process improvement work a process analyst performs, making this coursework particularly relevant. The course helps build a foundation in process modeling and the process lifecycle, key skills for success as a process analyst.
Continuous Improvement Manager
A continuous improvement manager is responsible for implementing and maintaining continuous improvement initiatives in an organization. This course, which covers business process modeling, management and improvement, using flowcharts, UML activity diagrams, and BPMN diagrams, is highly applicable to this role. A continuous improvement manager can leverage the course's focus on the business process life cycle, including the define, measure, analyze, improve, and control model, or DMAIC. A detailed case study on how to improve airport operations may help a continuous improvement manager in their work.
Operations Analyst
An operations analyst examines an organization's operations, seeking ways to optimize and improve them. This course, which covers business process modeling and management, using flowcharts, UML activity diagrams, and BPMN diagrams, is highly applicable to the work of operations analysts. The course also delves into the business process life cycle, and helps with process definition, measurement, analysis and improvement, key competencies for operations analysts. The included case study that focuses on improving real-world airport operation processes, makes this course particularly useful for operations analysts.
Business Analyst
A business analyst is responsible for understanding a company's business needs, and then proposing effective solutions. This often involves analyzing and optimizing existing processes. This course helps a business analyst develop the proficiency to model business processes using a range of techniques, such as flowcharts, UML activity diagrams, and BPMN. The course's focus on the business process life cycle, including process definition, measurement, analysis, and improvement, directly aligns with the work a business analyst performs. This course may help a business analyst better understand how to design and implement practical improvements.
Workflow Coordinator
A workflow coordinator is responsible for overseeing and optimizing the flow of work within an organization. This person will benefit from the process modeling techniques explored in this course, like flowcharts, UML activity diagrams, and BPMN diagrams. This course covers the lifecycle of process management, including identifying bottlenecks and potential improvements, which is very relevant to workflow optimization. The course’s case study on improving airport operations offers real-world examples of process improvement that can help a workflow coordinator with their work.
Process Engineer
A process engineer designs, implements, and optimizes the processes used in manufacturing or production. This course provides relevant coursework for process engineers by covering how to model and manage business processes using flowcharts, UML activity diagrams, and BPMN diagrams. The course teaches the business process lifecycle and how to identify areas for improvement. The specific case study of improving airport operational processes may help process engineers develop a grasp of real-world process improvement scenarios.
Management Analyst
A management analyst helps organizations improve their efficiency by studying and analyzing their issues and providing solutions. This role may be a fit for learners of this course because they will gain a better understanding of business process management, including how to model processes using flowcharts, UML activity diagrams, and BPMN business process diagrams. The course's case study about improving an airport's operations directly relates to the real-world challenges a management analyst faces in their work. This course is helpful because it will give a management analyst the ability to model, analyze, and improve business processes.
Operations Manager
An operations manager is responsible for the day-to-day management of an organization's operations. A key aspect of their role involves improving operational processes. This course helps an operations manager understand business process management, including modeling processes using flowcharts, UML activity diagrams, and BPMN business process diagrams. The course focuses on the business process life cycle and includes a detailed case study on improving operational processes, particularly at an airport. The focus on real-world scenarios in the course may prove valuable to operations managers.
Lean Consultant
A lean consultant helps organizations implement lean methodologies in order to eliminate waste and improve efficiency. This course may prove helpful for a lean consultant because it discusses business process management and modeling using flowcharts, UML activity diagrams and BPMN diagrams. The course specifically focuses on Lean Six Sigma methodology, a key tool used by lean consultants. The course may help a lean consultant better understand how to analyze, document and optimize business processes. The detailed case study about process improvement at an airport can help build a practical understanding of the improvement process.
Business Systems Analyst
A business systems analyst focuses on the technology and systems that support an organization's business processes. This course may be helpful to a business systems analyst because an understanding of how business processes are modeled, including with flowcharts, UML activity diagrams and BPMN diagrams, provides crucial context for designing and implementing systems. This coursework covers the business process lifecycle, with an emphasis on defining, measuring, analyzing, and improving workflows. The course's approach, including the detailed case study of airport operations, provides practical examples that are helpful to business systems analysts.
Project Manager
A project manager plans, executes and manages projects. They improve efficiency by optimizing workflows. This course is helpful for a project manager because it covers techniques to manage and model business processes using flowcharts, UML, and BPMN. The course has a key focus on process improvement, which involves defining, measuring, and analyzing processes, as well as opportunities to improve them, topics that are all highly relevant to project management. The detailed case study on optimizing an airport's operation may help build skills directly applicable to project management.
Quality Assurance Specialist
A quality assurance specialist ensures that products or services meet certain standards. This often includes improving processes to improve results. This course may prove helpful to a quality assurance specialist because it focuses on process modeling, using tools such as flowcharts, UML activity diagrams and BPMN diagrams. The course covers the full business process lifecycle, including defining, measuring, analyzing, and improving processes. The detailed case study on enhancing airport operational processes can help a quality assurance specialist understand how to analyze and improve real-world operational practices.
Management Consultant
Management consultants work with organizations to improve their performance and efficiency, often focusing on process reengineering. This course may be useful to management consultants because it covers process modeling using flowcharts, UML activity diagrams, and BPMN diagrams. By taking this course, a future management consultant can understand how to analyze and optimize business processes, using tools and methods directly relevant to the work of a consultant. The practical approach of the course, including the detailed case study on improving an airport's operational processes, makes it very applicable.
Data Analyst
A data analyst examines data to identify trends and insights that can improve business performance. This course may prove helpful to a data analyst who wants to understand the business processes that generate the data they analyze. This course covers process modeling, using flowcharts, UML activity diagrams, and BPMN diagrams. This course's study of the business process lifecycle can help a data analyst understand how to analyze process data for optimization. The detailed case study on airport operational process improvement may be a particularly useful learning tool.

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Introduction to Business Process Modeling.
Comprehensive guide to BPMN 2.0, focusing on creating clear and effective process diagrams. It provides detailed explanations of BPMN elements and best practices for modeling. This book useful reference tool for anyone working with BPMN. It adds more depth to the course by providing a more detailed and practical guide to BPMN modeling.
Uses a novel format to illustrate the Theory of Constraints, a key concept in process improvement. It's a valuable read to understand bottlenecks and optimize processes. While not directly BPMN-focused, it provides a strong conceptual understanding of process flow and optimization. It is often used in business schools and operations management courses.

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