Module Catalogue 2024/25

Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

To practice the process of innovation and opportunity development through examination and testing of assumptions upon which value propositions are based.

The module will use a scientific approach to the analysis of identifiable problems; refining and validating problems before moving on to solutions. Students are expected to interact with real potential users and stakeholders to identify insights that support the opportunities for innovation.

Once an opportunity has been evidenced, students will seek to propose a commercial or social model through which they can demonstrate potential viability.

Outline Of Syllabus

The problem-opportunity development process will be offered as a toolkit through the module sessions, including;
Critiquing and constructing project and value propositions
Market research and testing assumptions
Finding customers and users
Market analysis
Formulating a commercial opportunity; funding and finance, Intellectual Property
Peer to peer Pitching and presenting opportunities
Group coaching sessions

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

On completion of this module students will be able to:

Evaluate, construct and present demand-led commercial or social value propositions

Establish a process through which to research, communicate, market and test trade ideas
Critique approaches to innovation and define a robust innovation process that students can use beyond the module

Intended Skill Outcomes

On completion of the module students will be able to:

Undertake real market research to identify opportunities for innovation
Build a network and tool-kit for the future
Reflect on potential decisions about value and action
Self-appraise individual skills sets and interests and collaborate with others to fulfil the needs of a performing team
Plan and manage study time and practical work beyond timetabled sessions
Communicate and work effectively within an interdisciplinary team

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

This module invites students from across disciplines to ‘bring their individual skills and interests with them’ and combine personal experience, industrial knowledge and interest areas to facilitate ideation, innovation and problem solving. The module assessment preparation is active across part 1 and 2 of this module and will require significant group and independent work beyond lectures. Tutorials/small group sessions enable academic staff to work one-to- one and coach groups forward.

Part 1 activity will include an introduction to problem identification; from which students will, in groups unpack to find an actionable aspect of the problem to present for assessment at the start of the first taught week. This actionable problem will become the stimulus for development throughout the rest of the module.

The mid-school period will draw on the taught material to undertake further exploration and research independently in order to unpack an opportunity within the problem of interest.

Part 2 will provide stimulus for group work in the morning sessions, and facilitated group work in the afternoon sessions.

The post-school period will use material from Part 2 to bring together research and insight into a commercial or opportunity proposal (final group assessment)

From the start of the module, students should be prepared to undertake real market research by communicating with potential users and stakeholders in their area of interest in order to draw primary research conclusions in support of a new commercial or social opportunity.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

Assessment 1: Formative presentation of an ‘actionable-problem’
Students will draw down from stimuli such as the UN SDGs to work backwards in identifying an actionable problem which, if solved will demonstrate progress within the challenge area. Spending time researching and presenting the actionable aspects of the problem is key before moving forward in pursuit of a realistic solution. The purpose of this formative assessment is to receive feedback and guidance on moving forward with the group project.

Assessment 2: Market Opportunity Report (70%)
Drawing upon research work, skills and practice throughout the module, this group assessment will document a rationale for spending more time/money/effort on the development of an opportunity. A Market Opportunity Report is not a business plan, it is a preliminary document which concludes what has been found, with evidence, which makes for a strong Value Proposition (pre-business plan proposal).

Assessment 3: Individual Portfolio of Learning (30%)
Students will proactively record and reflect on their learning during the module, and will build a portfolio of 3 items to represent their learning in relation to the outcomes of the module.

General Notes

N/A