Course Catalogue

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The course is built on three interrelated components: soft operational research methods, performance measurement systems, and the application of simulation to improve operational performance. The first component includes Soft Systems Methodology (SSM) and Strategic Options Development and Analysis (SODA). The performance measurement component covers developing strategy maps and defining Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), while the simulation part utilises the software Simul8. These three components are closely connected, providing both a systematic and analytical perspective on managing and improving performance within organisations. Discussions on SSM and SODA as well as on performance measurement systems are designed to develop students' independent and critical thinking, while encouraging creativity in approaching complex business situations. An important element of these topics is the ability to communicate and accommodate the views of diverse stakeholders, as well as to articulate complex ideas clearly for different audiences. Within the context of performance measurement, students are also expected to consider sustainability issues and their relevance to business practice. The simulation component of the course equips students with practical skills in using software tools to explore and address business-related problems.

Ten weeks in total, that is 2x10 sessions, except week 7 that will be a 3 hours session. This is the week where group presentations will take place.* The sessions (except the presentation session) are in a workshop format. There will be three tutorials for simulation section that are completed online and asynchronously. These each are worth around 2 hours work.
* Note: Each student (group) attends only 1 hour of the three hours presentation slot. This is reflected in the contact hours in box 16.

(Please refer to MyCampus for timetable).

Entry to an Honours programme in Business and Management or a GPA of 12 in the level 2 courses listed below for students taking an Honours programme in another subject:
• MGT2010 Business Decision Analysis
• MGT2011 Fundamentals of Human Resource Management
• MGT2012 Services and Operations Management
•MGT2014 Entrepreneurship

None

Reassessments are normally available for all courses, except those which contribute to the Honours classification. For non-Honours courses, students are offered reassessment in all or any of the components of assessment if the satisfactory (threshold) grade for the overall course is not achieved at the first attempt. This is normally grade D3 for undergraduate students and grade C3 for postgraduate students. Exceptionally it may not be possible to offer reassessment of some coursework items, in which case the mark achieved at the first attempt will be counted towards the final course grade. Any such exceptions for this course are described below. 

This course aims to provide students with current and practical knowledge and skills to apply problem structuring and modelling methods for measuring and improving performance. 

By the end of this course students will be able to:

1. Discuss the use of soft operational research methods to structure and model complex organisational situations 

2. Develop an integrated performance measurement system to enhance organisational performance

3. Use simulation modelling and generate data-driven recommendations to enhance operational performance

4. Utilise the opportunity to work effectively as a team to structure and analyse a service performance management scenario

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.