Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Amrita School of Business, Bangalore MBA 2010-12: Trimester V Business Process Re-engineering & Systems

Approach to Problem Solving

This course is primarily spread across two modules:

1. Business Process Reengineering (BPR): BPR is one of the most talked about business
philosophies of the last decade, especially with organizations embarking on ERP and other IT applications led business transformation initiatives. When Michael Hammer discovered and spread the concept of BPR in the 1990s second and third generation academicians and business leaders refined and enhanced the concept in the 2000s. It is regarded as a critical improvement and innovative business performance technique. This module aims to familiarize the students with basic concepts of BPR, its relevance in modern business, and important elements, requirements, and enablers of a BPR initiative.

2. Systems Approach to Problem Solving: This module focuses on Theory of Constraints (TOC)
based systemic Thinking Process. The relatively new thinking process has been evolving over the last few years to realize a much broader applicability in system analysis and systems (holistic) thinking. Much as some trademarked brand names (like, Google, Post-it notes, Scotch tape, etc) enjoy a kind of evolution to generic usage over time, so too has the Thinking Process as a methodology become more of a generic logical analysis process. The module would aim at covering the fundamental principles and processes that are the backbone of the thinking process and introducing the thinking process tools. The module would further dedicate some time on Change Management and also introduce application of TOC in project management. Target Audience: This course is one which can be cross listed across specializations. This course would find applications in all aspects of management because of the broader applicability of the concepts, methods and tools. Though BPR is often classified under the Operations Management theme, it finds application across functions. The same holds good for the Thinking Process which finds wide application in operations management, strategy and marketing. The to-be managers would find these methodologies useful in their management career to solve problems and bring in substantial improvement by effectively managing changes.