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Cases

Ohjelma
Bike Lease Finland

Bike Lease Finland

Leasing and maintenance of employee bicycles, digital services.

Ohjelma
Excelence Solutions

Excelence Solutions

Consulting and data analytics, expert services and consulting.

Ohjelma
Finnish Timber Oy

Finnish Timber Oy

Ecological log buildings and construction site processes, project business.

Ohjelma
Green Scape

Green Scape

Customized green wall services for B2B clients, service business.

Ohjelma
Marine Craft

Marine Craft

Customized motorboats, project delivery, manufacturing industry.

Ohjelma
Scandinavian Design

Scandinavian Design

Leasing and maintenance of company bicycles, digital services.

Task

Creating a Process Map



In this task, the student describes the core function of a case company as a process from start to finish. They identify the stages of the process, name the corresponding roles, and record the systems and tools used in each stage. A simple process map is created from the process, which is analyzed from the customer's perspective: at which stages value is created and where there are the most opportunities for improvement. The task helps to conceptualize the everyday business as processes and supports the understanding of the basic thinking of business architecture.

Learning objectives

After completing the task, the student:
1. Can identify the key core function of the case company and describe it step by step.
2. Can associate responsibility roles and supporting systems with the stages of the process.
3. Can present the operation as a simple process map.
4. Can analyze at which stages the customer derives the most value and where there are opportunities for improvement in the process.

Step by step

  1. Creating a process map

    Objective:
    The objective of this assignment is for the student to describe one core function of the case company as a clear, end-to-end process. The aim is to learn to identify the process steps, the roles responsible for them, and the systems and tools that support the process.

    Material:

    • The case description of the selected case company from the learning material.

    • The assignment is based on the information in the case description and on justified assumptions about the company’s operations and systems.

    Assignment process (instructions for the student):

    1. Select the core function to be described
      Choose one clear core function of the case company, for example:

      • order-to-delivery

      • service booking to execution

      • quotation to contract

      • handling a complaint.
        Write briefly (3–5 sentences) why this function is important for the company.

    2. List the main steps of the process
      Identify 6–10 sequential steps from the start of the process to its completion. Write a list of the steps, for example:

      • “1. The customer places an order”

      • “2. Salesperson checks availability”, etc.
        Make sure the steps are in logical order and describe the full flow from beginning to end.

    3. Define the responsible role for each step
      Add to each step the role primarily responsible (role, not a person), for example:

      • salesperson, customer service, warehouse worker, finance, supervisor.
        Include in the step list both the step and the responsible role (e.g. “3. Order is entered into the system – responsible role: salesperson”).

    4. Identify the systems and tools used
      Based on the case description and reasonable assumptions, determine which systems, applications or tools are used in each process step (e.g. order management system, email, invoicing system, spreadsheet).
      Add to the step list for each step:

      • the system/tool used (if no clear system exists, you may write “manual work” or “paper form”).

    5. Draw a simple process map
      Convert the step list into a process map. You can:

      • describe it as text so that each step is on its own line including the step name, responsible role and system
        OR

      • draw a separate diagram (e.g. boxes and arrows) and explain it briefly in the text.
        The key is that the flow from one step to the next is easy to understand.

    6. Evaluate the process performance
      Write a short ½–1 page analysis responding to:

      • which 1–2 steps are the most critical for the entire process (e.g. risk of errors, impact on customer experience)

      • where the most value is created for the customer

      • where you see the greatest potential for improvement (e.g. unnecessary work, waiting time, manual tasks).

    Submission and evaluation:
    Submit a 1–2 page document showing:

    • the selected core function and a brief justification

    • a step-by-step process description including steps, responsible roles and systems

    • a text-based process map (and a reference to a drawn diagram, if you create one)

    • a brief analysis of critical steps, value creation and improvement opportunities.

    In the evaluation, attention will be given to how well you:

    • identify and structure the process steps into a logical whole

    • assign realistic roles and systems to the steps

    • examine the process from the customer’s perspective and identify value creation points

    • present the process map clearly and understandably.

    Recommended working time: approximately 45–60 minutes, individually or in pairs.

Tasks by audience and theme

University of applied sciences

Polytechnics and higher education studies.

68 tasks