BUSINESS PROCESS ANALYTICS

This course belongs to the fundamental teaching activities for the Master Degree in International Management. The goal of the course is to provide students with some of the basic techniques for using data and analytical tools for managing effectively business processes (for example, MRP, ERP, Inventory Management). Emphasis is also given to the importance of the use of decision support systems, particularly when dealing with uncertainty of external or internal processes/factors. For example, we will discuss uncertainty of demand and supply chains; the difficulty of estimating lead times, and/or delivery dates of activities inherent to the internal processes of the company. To this aim, the course introduces the study of Workflow Management (and techniques such as Petri nets) and concepts related to the optimal planning of activities (Critical Path and PERT Analysis). The course also aims to provide skills and expertise on the use of analytic models and adequate data to support decisions and on their interpretation with the final goal of proposing appropriate solutions to the managerial challenges under study. To foster engagement and commitment of the students and to encourage "active" learning, the course will be delivered in "blended" learning; standard classes are combined with online activities.

Knowledge and understanding skills
Through the attendance of classes, the activities proposed through the Moodle platform, as well as through the individual study the student will acquire the following knowledge and understanding skills:
learn the basic tools to deal with the analysis of business processes;
learn the role and how to operate integrated systems (ERP) and their main modules (such as MRP and Inventory);
learn analytical and conceptual tools needed to examine and solve decision problems typical of companies engaged in internationalization;
learn and understand the main techniques useful to translate a complex decision problem into models that can be solved analytically;
learn how to hierarchize a complex problem into simpler instances that are appropriately integrated with each other;
acquire familiarity with some basic techniques to support managerial decisions such as the representation and management of distributed systems and complex projects and their risks.

Ability to apply knowledge and understanding.
Through the individual study, by reading the materials suggested by the instructor, through the discussion of business cases, the interaction with external experts, the execution of software experiments, the development of homework based on practical examples, students will have acquired the following skills to apply their knowledge:
be able to use the main techniques to support business decisions, based on analytical and conceptual tools, useful for examining and solving management problems;
be able to analyze the main inputs for the MRP, and utilize the available data to plan some basic operations (production, orders);
be able to use spreadsheets to visualize, analyze and solve practical cases of complex decisions, with emphasis on the international operations;
be able to interpret the data and results provided by mathematical-statistical techniques and dedicated software with respect to complex decision-making problems;
be able to represent in an analytical and tractable way distributed systems;
be able to quantify the durations and risks related to the development and management of complex projects in all business divisions.

Making judgments, communication, lifelong learning skills.
Thanks to the discussion of business cases and interaction with peers, instructors and external experts, the student will learn:
how to formulate rational justifications to support their own judgments;
how to understand the relative strengths and limits of their judgment on the basis of hypotheses, data, and models;
how to formulate and communicate adequately their analysis and their economic-financial interpretation of company facts, also through the use of the software.

This course emphasizes applications over theory. Some (few) basic knowledge in Mathematics are appreciated. Familiarity with the software Excel is welcome. For a reference course in mathematics (at the bachelor level) see http://www.unive.it/data/course/257915/programma

The main topics addressed during the course are the following:
- Integrated systems: MRP, ERP and the current challenges related to uncertainty of procurement and demand
- Tools for Inventory Management and recent heuristics (also based on Artificial Intelligence)
- Business processes and Business Process Reengineering (BPR)
- Business Processes as Distributed Systems: Workflow Management and Petri nets
- Large projects: Critical Path Analysis, Pert and other tools for Project Management and risk analysis

Portougal, V. & Sundaram, D. (2006). Business Processes: Operational Solutions for SAP Implementation. IGI Global.
Van Der Aalst, W., Van Hee, K. M., & van Hee, K. (2004). Workflow management: models, methods, and systems. MIT press.
Jacobs, F.R, Chase, R (2020) Operations and supply chain management. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.
Other teaching material will be made available for download.

The evaluation is based on a written exam, accompanied by an ongoing “in itinere” verification of basic knowledge.

The ongoing evaluation activities are proposed in the form of five Moodle quizzes and will be specifically related to the theoretical basic knowledge proposed during both synchronous and asynchronous lectures. They contribute 5 points out of 30 to the final grade (maximum one point for each quiz).

The final exam is divided into two parts. The first part, based on multiple-choice questions, aims to test fundamental knowledge and skills. This part awards 10 points out of 30 in the final grade.
The second part of the written exam is based on exercises in which the student must show the ability to apply the knowledge acquired to practical business problems. In this part, the student must also demonstrate the ability to clearly explain the process underlying problem solving. This part awards 15 points out of 30 in the final grade.

Multiple-choice quizzes and exercises similar to those offered in the final exam are made available on the e-learning platform, together with mock-exams and the texts of old exam appearances.

Regarding grade grading (how grades are assigned):
A. scores in the 18-22 range will be awarded in the presence of:
- sufficient knowledge and ability to apply understanding;
- sufficient ability to apply acquired knowledge to solve proposed business problems;
- limited ability to explain the logical/mathematical procedure underlying the solution of the proposed exercises.
B. scores in the 23-26 range will be awarded in the presence of:
- fair knowledge and ability to apply understanding;
- fair ability to apply the acquired knowledge to solve the proposed business problems;
- fair ability to explain the logical/mathematical procedure underlying the resolution of the proposed exercises.
C. scores in the 27-30 range will be awarded in the presence of:
- good/very good knowledge and ability to apply understanding;
- good/very good ability to apply the acquired knowledge to solve the proposed business problems;
- good/very good ability to explain the logical/mathematical procedure underlying the solution of the proposed exercises.
D. The “lode” (honors) will be awarded in the presence of knowledge and ability of applied understanding at an outstanding level and in the presence of excellent ability of exposition and explanation in solving the proposed exercises.

The course is delivered in "blended" learning, that is, with traditional lectures and purely online activities. The entire course covers 30 academic hours of teaching. The purpose of the online activities is to promote a different way of studying: students are invited to study some concepts at home, through materials made available in advance; based on an "flipped" approach, the instructor will then propose practical activities in class, in order to put into practice the knowledge acquired.

In order to participate in all the online activities (some of which are mandatory), students are required to register for the course on the Moodle platform. In case of problems, the student can get in contact with the instructor by mail.

English

International students.
The participation of international students is warmly encouraged. Bachelor-level international students should be aware that the techniques used in class, the teaching methodologies and the examination procedures are designed for a master-level course.

Accessibility, Disability and Inclusion.
Concerning Accommodation and support services for students with disabilities and students with specific learning impairments, Ca’ Foscari abides by Italian Law (Law 17/1999; Law 170/2010) regarding support services and accommodation available to students with disabilities. This includes students with mobility, visual, hearing and other disabilities (Law 17/1999), and specific learning impairments (Law 170/2010). If you have a disability or impairment that requires accommodations (i.e., alternate testing, readers, note takers or interpreters) please contact the Disability and Accessibility Offices in Student Services: disabilita@unive.it.

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This subject deals with topics related to the macro-area "Circular economy, innovation, work" and contributes to the achievement of one or more goals of U. N. Agenda for Sustainable Development