Syllabus for APS-600
ENHANCING PERFORMANCE IN TECHNOLOGY ORGANIZATIONS
This course provides an overview of the most successful strategies and approaches for achieving performance improvement in technology-based organizations, using the latest research findings and examples of high performing technology organizations. Topics covered include organizational capabilities in managing costs and productivity, performance measurement, leadership system for high performance, enhanced quality in products and services, employee engagement and enhanced customer engagement and satisfaction as well as performance capabilities (such as organizational values, adaptability, flexibility, agility, responsiveness, and decisiveness) that enable organizations to anticipate and respond to change. The Baldrige Criteria for Performance Excellence are examined as assessment tools for achieving desired organizational capabilities. Discussion also covers specific approaches that contribute to high performance and organizational effectiveness, such as customer relationship management, supply chain management, Six Sigma, lean methodologies, and other process improvement tools. Successful applications of these strategies and approaches are illustrated through practical applications.
After completing this course, you should be able to:
CO1 Assess the strategic concepts of organizational performance management and performance assessment models as they apply to technology organizations.
CO2 Apply a working knowledge in the use of a variety of appropriate improvement tools and techniques to enhance organizational performance through process improvement.
CO3 Develop and critically evaluate a balanced set of performance measures, measurement systems and knowledge management systems appropriate to a technology organization.
CO4 Examine and evaluate the impacts of human performance management elements (such as employee motivation, job design, rewards and recognition, team building, and empowerment) on organizational performance.
CO5 Conduct an assessment of technology based organizations using current performance assessment models.
CO6 Apply the concepts of service quality in the development of a customer-centric culture for technology organizations.
CO7 Design and implement a leadership system and a strategic management process that sustains performance excellence.
You will need the following materials to complete your coursework. Some course materials may be free, open source, or available from other providers. You can access free or open-source materials by clicking the links provided below or in the module details documents. To purchase course materials, please visit the University's textbook supplier.
Enhancing Performance in Technology Organizations is a three-credit online course, consisting of six modules. Modules include an overview, topics, learning objectives, study materials, and activities. Module titles are listed below.
Course objectives covered in this module: CO1, CO5
Course objectives covered in this module: CO6
Course objectives covered in this module: CO3, CO5
Course objectives covered in this module: CO2
Course objectives covered in this module: CO7
Course objectives covered in this module: CO4
For your formal work in the course, you are required to participate in online discussion forums, take a case study assessment, complete a field assignment on process management, and complete a final project.
Consult the Course Calendar for assignment due dates.
You are required to participate in nine online discussions. Discussion forums are on a variety of topics associated with the courses modules. There is also one ungraded but required Introductions Forum in Module 1.
Online discussions provide an opportunity for you to interact with your classmates. During this aspect of the course, you respond to prompts that assist you in developing your ideas, you share those ideas with your classmates, and you comment on their posts. Discussion forum interactions promote development of a community of learners, critical thinking, and exploratory learning.
Please participate in online discussions as you would in constructive face-to-face discussions. You are expected to post well-reasoned and thoughtful reflections for each item, making reference, as appropriate, to your readings.
You are also expected to reply to your classmates' posts in a respectful, professional, and courteous manner. You may, of course, post questions asking for clarification or further elucidation on a topic. Click to view Online Discussion Grading Rubric.
You are required to complete a Case Study Assessment during Module 3. The Case Study Assessment consists of one essay-type question with four parts. The purpose of this assessment is the integration of the materials that you have discussed in Modules 1–3 and materials that you have found outside of the course. The assessment will be a measure of your understanding of the material, issues, and potential solutions. Make sure that you use what you have learned in the course and reference the material properly. Your response should be about 6–8 double-spaced pages. Please note that this is a timed-release assignment and that the details will not be available until Week 6. Go to the Case Study Assessment section of the course Web site for more details at the beginning of Week 6.
You are required to complete a Field Assignment on Process Management. Since this assignment requires fieldwork, you should start well before the due date so that you have plenty of time to complete it. The Field Assignment on Process Management requires documenting and reviewing a work process such as hospital admissions process, order fulfillment process, claims process, and hiring process in an existing organization. You then identify and discuss opportunities for improving the present process and develop a flowchart for your new process. The final submission of this assignment should be about 10–14 pages. Go to the Field Assignment section of the course Web site for details of what you are required to do for this assignment.
For your Final Project, you are required to complete a Performance Assessment Report using the Baldrige criteria. This is a semester-long project that you should start at the beginning of the semester. It is to be completed in multiple steps that are specified in Final Project Details (see under Guidelines) in the Final Project section of the course Web site. Listed below are the four deliverables you that will submit for approval, feedback, or grading by the mentor. The Performance Assessment Report should be about 15–25 pages.
Go to the Final Project section of the course Web site for details of what you are required to do for this project.
Your grade in the course will be determined as follows:
All activities will receive a numerical grade of 0–100. You will receive a score of 0 for any work not submitted. Your final grade in the course will be a letter grade. Letter grade equivalents for numerical grades are as follows:
A | = | 93–100 | B | = | 83–87 | |
A– | = | 90–92 | C | = | 73–82 | |
B+ | = | 88–89 | F | = | Below 73 |
To receive credit for the course, you must earn a letter grade of C or higher on the weighted average of all assigned course work (e.g., assignments, discussion postings, projects, etc.). Graduate students must maintain a B average overall to remain in good academic standing.
To succeed in this course, take the following first steps:
Consider the following study tips for success:
To ensure success in all your academic endeavors and coursework at Thomas Edison State University, familiarize yourself with all administrative and academic policies including those related to academic integrity, course late submissions, course extensions, and grading policies.
For more, see:
Copyright © 2016 by Thomas Edison State University. All rights reserved.
