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Module Specifications..

Current Academic Year 2023 - 2024

Please note that this information is subject to change.

Module Title Business Processes & Lean Thinking
Module Code MT338
School DCUBS
Module Co-ordinatorSemester 1: Raymond Treacy
Semester 2: Raymond Treacy
Autumn: Raymond Treacy
Module TeachersPJ Byrne
Raymond Treacy
NFQ level 8 Credit Rating 5
Pre-requisite None
Co-requisite None
Compatibles None
Incompatibles None
None
Description

Managing business processes is a significant challenge in most organisations. Poor business processes leads to underperformance in manufacturing and service based organisations alike. Lean thinking is an operations management discipline which aims to identify, map and analyse the activities forming a process. Lean as a technique is a systematic approach to reducing or eliminating activities that don't add value to the process. It emphasises removing wasteful steps in a process and taking only the value-added steps forward. The Lean method ensures high quality and customer satisfaction. This module will provide students with the knowledge, techniques and skills to analyse and develop existing operations processes, models and frameworks that are commensurate with world class organisations. Students will be able to analyse critically the literature and existing organisational practices so as to be capable of understanding the role and practice of process analysis within organisations, demonstrating potential improvements in practice.

Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrate a knowledge of the key principles and concepts of Lean thinking.
2. Evaluate the various forms of waste associated with a Lean analysis.
3. Compare and contrast Lean tools such as Value Stream Mapping, Visual Management, Kaizen, SMED, 5S, and TPM in business process improvement.
4. Analyse existing operational processes and suggest improvements that support business process improvements.



Workload Full-time hours per semester
Type Hours Description
Lecture24No Description
Assignment Completion45No Description
Independent Study56No Description
Total Workload: 125

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

What is a process

Lean and Lean thinking, the backstory

Lean tools and practices – Improving process flow

Waste identification

Business process mapping

The Lean Toolkit – An assessment of the broad array of additional tools and techniques of Lean

Kaizen – a practical approach

Lean case analysis

An introduction to Lean Six Sigma

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment100% Examination Weight0%
Course Work Breakdown
TypeDescription% of totalAssessment Date
AssignmentLean improvement project report100%Sem 2 End
Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories;
1 = A resit is available for all components of the module
2 = No resit is available for 100% continuous assessment module
3 = No resit is available for the continuous assessment component
This module is category 1
Indicative Reading List

    Other Resources

    None
    Programme or List of Programmes
    AFBA in Accounting and Finance
    BSBachelor of Business Studies
    BSEBachelor of Business Studies (Exchange)
    BSIBusiness Studies ( with INTRA )
    EBCBA in Global Business (Canada)
    EBFBA in Global Business (France)
    EBGBA in Global Business (Germany)
    EBSBA in Global Business (Spain)
    EBTBA in Global Business (USA)
    INTBBachelor Business Studies International
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