EDI 3500 Digital Problem Solving and Task Automation
EDI 3500 Digital Problem Solving and Task Automation
The increasing capabilities of modern digital technologies to automate task, workflows and processes enable organizations to free employees from tasks that are boring, repetitive and labour intensive. The rapid development in new capabilities combined with reductions in price have made such tools affordable and practically available to the extent that we in many cases find an order of magnitude change in the cost/benefit-ratio of using technology compared to human labour.
Automation capabilities is increasingly integrated into common business application software and technology platforms such as Microsoft 365 there is also a market of specialised software for automation, including Robotic Process Automation (RPA) and other types of bots.
The course will provide students with an overview of approaches to automation of tasks, workflows and processes. This includes concepts and practices for process automation, including hands-on experiences with relevant tools.
After completing the course, the candidate will have acquired knowledge about:
- Problem-solving and problem-solving processes
- Teamwork in problem solving
- The mutuality of people, processes and technology in an organization
- Task automation as a concept
- Common tools for task automation
After completing the course, the candidate is able to:
- Work in teams to solve business problems
- Apply interdisciplinary knowledge to solve business problems
- Apply automation tools that are feasible for the problem at hand
- Develop and implement an automated solution for a (part of a) task or a process
- Evaluate of the effect of the implemented solution
The candidates should be able to reflect on their own role in a problem-solving process, being part of a team and how one’s own behavior contributes to team success. They should also be able to reflect on ethical, legal and sustainability implications of task automation.
- Problem-solving; methods and processes
- Problem-solving techniques
- Teamwork in problem solving
- Understanding business processes
- Tasks, workflows and business processes
- Process mapping and analysis
- Task automation: concepts, tools and techniques
- Automation capabilities in software
- Tools for automation - overview and introduction
- Feasibility assessment
- Developing and implementing a solution
The course includes a combination of lectures, case discussions, and "lab"-sessions with workshops and hands-on exercises.
Classes are designed to be interactive - small group activities, student-led discussions, and peer feedback exercises. Attendance and participation in class are expected.
Software tools
Students will have access to a variety of software tools in the course, including:
- Virtual desktop (VDI) to run the software used in the course
- Tools within the Microsoft 365 platform and other automation tools
- Online whiteboards with templates (e.g. Miro or Mural) and drawing applications (e.g. draw.io)
Higher Education Entrance Qualification
Disclaimer
Deviations in teaching and exams may occur if external conditions or unforeseen events call for this.
Students are expected to have a basic skills in coding and data management.
| Mandatory coursework | Courseworks given | Courseworks required | Comment coursework |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mandatory | 5 | 3 | The course includes lab-sessions, workshops and other exercises to develop knowledge and skills in task automation. The coursework requirements is to hand in documentation on the result from five of these activities. More information will be given at the beginning of the course. |
| Assessments |
|---|
Exam category: Submission Form of assessment: Handin - all file types Weight: 100 Grouping: Group (2 - 3) Duration: 1 Semester(s) Comment: The exam project is a group activity where students are expected to find a solution for automating a business activity or process. Their work should be documented in a written document that should be handed in tighter with an access to the technical solution and a multimedia production (e.g. video) that demonstrates the solution. Exam code: EDI 35001 Grading scale: ECTS Resit: Examination every semester |
| Activity | Duration | Comment |
|---|---|---|
Teaching | 20 Hour(s) | Participation in lectures |
Seminar groups | 10 Hour(s) | Lab-seminars. Hands-on introductory training in tools and techniques |
Seminar groups | 15 Hour(s) | Participation in workshops |
Prepare for teaching | 20 Hour(s) | Reading and preparing for lectures and “lab”-sessions |
Examination | 90 Hour(s) | Work on the exam project, including preparing for workshops |
Student's own work with learning resources | 45 Hour(s) | Work with online content and assignments to develop skills in automation tools |
A course of 1 ECTS credit corresponds to a workload of 26-30 hours. Therefore a course of 7,5 ECTS credit corresponds to a workload of at least 200 hours.