ENTREP 3008NA - Entrepreneurship Research Project

Ngee Ann Academy - Quadmester 4 - 2016

The aim of this course is to enable students from a variety of backgrounds to gain experience and develop their knowledge in entrepreneurship into practical skills to a very high level. The course will assist in the development of interpersonal skills, analytical ability, and business acumen to the stage that the student is confident of starting and running a new venture. On completion of this course, students should be able to; Demonstrate the practical skills in researching, planning, and executing a business plan for a new venture Demonstrate an ability to operationalise a business plan and assessing the risks and opportunities that arise from this activity Demonstrate a high level of competence in the entrepreneurial process and be able to communicate that knowledge to others The syllabus incorporates proposing and operationalising a practical business plan, implementing it, and exiting the business in either a start-up, existing business, or role play.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code ENTREP 3008NA
    Course Entrepreneurship Research Project
    Coordinating Unit Entrepreneurship, Commercialisation & Innov Centre
    Term Quadmester 4
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s Ngee Ann Academy
    Units 6
    Contact At least 70 hours
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Prerequisites BIE Core Courses
    Assumed Knowledge Knowledge of the content of core courses for the B. Innovation and Entrepreneurship
    Course Description The aim of this course is to enable students from a variety of backgrounds to gain experience and develop their knowledge in entrepreneurship into practical skills to a very high level. The course will assist in the development of interpersonal skills, analytical ability, and business acumen to the stage that the student is confident of starting and running a new venture. On completion of this course, students should be able to;
    Demonstrate the practical skills in researching, planning, and executing a business plan for a new venture
    Demonstrate an ability to operationalise a business plan and assessing the risks and opportunities that arise from this activity
    Demonstrate a high level of competence in the entrepreneurial process and be able to communicate that knowledge to others
    The syllabus incorporates proposing and operationalising a practical business plan, implementing it, and exiting the business in either a start-up, existing business, or role play.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Dr Gary Hancock

    Program Director Contact Details:
    Innovation and Entrepreneurship
    Name: Gary Hancock
    Phone: +61 8 8313 0125


    Teaching Staff


    Term 2 & 4
    Name: Doris Yee

    Short Bio:
    Doris has over 20 years of experience in engineering and investing. She has worked with many entrepreneurs and served as Director/Observer on the Boards of companies in US, New Zealand and China.

    Since 1999, Doris has been involved in venture investing; initially at the National Science and Technology Board (NSTB) of Singapore, a government agency promoting technology development and entrepreneurship where she pioneered the Venture Incentive Scheme catalyzing the formation of technology enterprises and later at iGlobe Partners, a venture capital firm, where she was General Partner managing investments across US, New Zealand, China and Singapore. She is currently serving as Director of Singapore Venture Capital and Private Equity Association (SVCA), the representative body for PE and VC Fund Management Companies in Singapore and concurrently an Adjunct Associate Professor at the National University of Singapore (NUS) Business School Department of Finance.

    As a shareholder, Board member/Observer, she has advised many companies; mentoring CEOs, assisting in the recruitment of key management, independent board members, undertaking business development, assisting in fundraising, acquisitions and exit opportunities.

    Doris is a Certified Trainer/Facilitator and Assessor and has shared her experiences through speaking engagements, judging panels at forums and training programmes both locally and overseas such as Global Wireless Venturing Forums, China Private Equity Conference, Lee Kuan Yew Business Plan competitions, Global Security Asia Conference, Stanford Global Entrepreneurs Challenge, China Universities Business Plan Competition as well as courses organised by the Singapore Venture Capital Association, French Business School ESSEC, University of Adelaide and the National University of Singapore.

    Doris holds an MBA and a Bachelor Degree in Electrical & Electronics Engineering with Honours, both from the National University of Singapore. Doris served as Honorary Secretary of the Singapore Venture Capital Association(SVCA) from 2007 to 2011.. She served on the IT Advisory Panel of the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce from 2007-2009. She served on the NUS Venture Fund Support Committee from 2004-2005. She is a Full Member of the Singapore Institute of Directors.

    Email: dorisdnyee@gmail.com

    Phone: 
    98201857
    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

    Term 4: 8th October to 20 December 2016

    Consultation session:
    With Doris Yee
    30 Sept 2016 7:00 pm
    For times and location, please refer to advice from Ngee Ann-Adelaide Education Centre, Singapore
  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    On completion of this course, students should be able to:

    1. Apply the tools and techniques taught throughout the course to evaluate the factors that contribute to the success/failure of an enterprise
    2. Construct and research the plans for a business based on a perceived opportunity
    3. Present a coherent business plan to a panel in a concise manner
    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)
    Deep discipline knowledge
    • informed and infused by cutting edge research, scaffolded throughout their program of studies
    • acquired from personal interaction with research active educators, from year 1
    • accredited or validated against national or international standards (for relevant programs)
    1
    Critical thinking and problem solving
    • steeped in research methods and rigor
    • based on empirical evidence and the scientific approach to knowledge development
    • demonstrated through appropriate and relevant assessment
    1, 2
    Teamwork and communication skills
    • developed from, with, and via the SGDE
    • honed through assessment and practice throughout the program of studies
    • encouraged and valued in all aspects of learning
    2, 3
    Career and leadership readiness
    • technology savvy
    • professional and, where relevant, fully accredited
    • forward thinking and well informed
    • tested and validated by work based experiences
    2
    Intercultural and ethical competency
    • adept at operating in other cultures
    • comfortable with different nationalities and social contexts
    • able to determine and contribute to desirable social outcomes
    • demonstrated by study abroad or with an understanding of indigenous knowledges
    2
    Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
    • a capacity for self-reflection and a willingness to engage in self-appraisal
    • open to objective and constructive feedback from supervisors and peers
    • able to negotiate difficult social situations, defuse conflict and engage positively in purposeful debate
    1, 2
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    No textbook required
    Recommended Resources
    You will be expected to draw on all the resources that you have collected during your studies in the Program. You will also need to demonstrate an ability to source your own reference materials, and show you have a sound understanding of what is relevant and appropriate.

    Library Resources
    The University of Adelaide’s Barr Smith Library provides a range of learning resources including texts, journals, periodicals, magazines, and access to online databases and information services. It also offers a virtual library which is accessible via the University’s website. The University Library web page is: http://www.adelaide.edu.au/library/
    From this link, you are able to access the Library's electronic resources.
    Online Learning
    MyUni is the University of Adelaide's online learning environment. It is used to support traditional face-to-face lectures, tutorials and workshops at the University. MyUni provides access to various features including announcements, course materials, discussion boards and assessments for each online course of study (see: https://myuni.adelaide.edu.au)
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    This course is offered in blended learning mode with significant field work applying the concepts and theories taught throughout the course as well as face-to-face consultations with the Lecturer.

    The project
    Each student will negotiate with the course co-ordinator a series of activities that will satisfy the objectives outlined above. The project component is made up of a 6 unit course, so should be treated as a full time 3 month project.

    Being entrepreneurial and innovative is something that people develop through experience as well as formal education. The project component of this program is very important in that it allows students to learn from both success and, more importantly, failure in a safe environment under the guidance of teaching staff with experience in these areas.

    The candidate will propose the setup of a business enterprise (either a new enterprise or a spin-off of an existing enterprise). The candidate will then undertake field work to verify the viability and assumptions related to his business proposal. Candidates will also be given ample opportunities to practise their presentation skills ( a key requirement) to an audience who will assess the viability of the plan.
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    As a guide, a 3 unit course comprises a total of 156 hours work (this includes face-to-face contact, any online components, and self directed study).
    Learning Activities Summary
    This is a draft schedule and session dates are a guide only. The timetable may be changed during the course delivery if necessary. 

    Week Activities Deliverable
    1 Briefing on Project
    -Objectives
    -Scope/Expectations
    -Milestones
    -Assessment
    1-3 Form Teams,
    Work on Project Proposal,
    Assumptions,
    Verification Plan
    3 Submit Assignment
    (Proposal, Assumptions,
    Group Proposal for Own Business highlighting:
    1. Opportunity
    2. Product/Service
    3. Market Strategy
    4. Industry & Competition
    5. Team
    6. Financials/ Business Proposition Assumptions,

    Group Verification Schedule/Plan:
    1. Assumptions on Opportunity, Size, Business Model, Competition, Marketing/Distribution, Value Proposition in support of Proposa
    l2. Project Schedule for Verifying each Assumption with description of planned verification activities

    Individual Essay
    1. Describe the process of arriving at this Proposal. What were the considerations?
    2. Write a one page pre-mortem: Imagine it is 3 years since you started the company, the company is close to bankruptcy, staff are totally demoralised. Write a story of how the company came to this position.
    4 Feedback & Oral Assessment (Proposal, Assumptions, Verification Plan)

    Submit Revised Proposal
    (if necessary)

    Answer questions regarding group/individual submissions
    5-9 Fieldwork:
    • Verify your Business
    • Conduct Market Research
    • Test Opportunity
    • Build Prototype Product/Service
    • Verify Proposition (Cost, Price etc)
    • Competitor Analysis
    • Build Financial Model,Test Feasibility

    7
    Mentoring Session to update progress and give Feedback Show:
    -Results of Surveys/Vendor Quotations
    -Interviews/Observations/Experiments
    -Research/Readings Related to Project
    -Compare Progress against Verification Plan
    9 Peer Group Review Presentation with Visual Aids/Prototypes to Lecturer, Peers
    • Peers to query other Presenting Teams, Award Bonus, Demerit Points, Overall Participation/Contribution
    10 Submit Final Report Group Final Report:
    • Final Business Plan
    Group Report:
    • Deviation from Original Proposal arising from verification
    Individual Essay
    1. Would you invest in this Business Plan? Why/Why not? Discuss both Financial and non-Financial reasons.
    2. Describe 3 learning points from this project.
    3. On hindsight, what could you have done differently in terms of validating any part of the project?
    11 Feedback & Oral Assessment Answer questions regarding Final group/individual submissions
    Workshop exercises are found in the course PowerPoint files.
    Specific Course Requirements
    You will be required to undertake significant field work in this subject. This may include working in another organisation, commencing your own enterprise, interviewing existing entrepreneurs, conducting surveys, building prototypes/models, obtaining market data on costs, competition and forming and maintaining teams.
  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    Assessments will comprise written assessments and oral interviews/presentation. Assessments will be conducted to determine the candidate’s understanding of the key principles, theories taught during the course as well as the level of skills in applying them to an enterprise.

    An overview of the course assessment appears in the following table. Details appear in the following section:

     

    #

    Form of Assessment/ Collaborative Task

    Length (in word count)

    Weighting

    Due Date

    Learning outcome covered

    1a

    Proposal for own businessAssumptions, Verification Plan <2000 words

    Gantt Chart
    10%

     5%
    see MyUni 2
    1b Individual Paper < 500 words 10% see MyUni 2
    2 Oral on Group, Individual Submission of Proposal 30% see MyUni 2
    Mentoring Session see MyUni
    3 Presentation to Lecturer, Peer GroupOverall Participation/Contribution/Feedback to other Team(s) Oral presentation with Visual Aids/Prototypes 10%


    5%
    see MyUni 1, 2
    4a Group Final Report:Final Business PlanGroup Report Deviation from Original Proposal <5000 words

    10%

    5%

    see MyUni 1, 2
    4b

    Individual Paper

    < 500 words

    15%

    see MyUni 1, 2
    5

    Oral on Group, Individual Submission of Final Report

    20%

    see MyUni 1, 2

    Total

    100%

    Assessment Related Requirements
    Students must complete all course assessment requirements and must attend mentoring sessions/oral assessments to be eligible to pass the course. Course results are subject to moderation by the ECIC Board of Examiners
    Assessment Detail
    Candidates who are consistently late in their submissions/interviews or exhibit signs of poor attitude will suffer a penalty in their final grade score.

    Assessment 1a: Proposal for own business
    Weighting: 10% for Proposal and 5% for the Verification Plan
    Due Date: see MyUni
    Submission Details: Online through MyUni

    Task:
    Proposal for the Setup of a Business and a Verification Plan (a Gantt Chart) identifying key assumptions made in the business proposal and a schedule to verify these assumptions over the course of 5 weeks

    Candidates must submit a proposal for the setup of a business enterprise articulating clearly:
    • Business opportunity/observation
    • Proposed product/service to be offered
    • Strategy for reaching the intended market
    • Industry and Competition
    • Team to be put together to execute the plan
    • Financial assumptions made in support of the business proposition
    The Verification Plan shall be submitted in the form of a Gantt Chart, clearly identifying each assumption to be verified, the time frame and the mode of action to be taken which can include literature search, conducting surveys, interviews, cold calls, observations, gathering of data on markets, costs, prices, competition as appropriate.

    Length and Presentation:

    Written report no longer than 2000 words.
    Criteria by which your assignment will be marked:
    The breadth and depth of the proposal including the description of the business (team, opportunity, market strategy, competition, financials), the identified assumptions and an executable plan to verify the assumptions made.


    Assessment 1b: Individual Paper
    Weighting: 10%
    Due Date: see MyUni
    Submission Details: Online through MyUni


    Task:
    • Describe the process of arriving at this Proposal. What were the considerations?
    • Write a one page pre-mortem: Imagine it is 3 years since you started the company, the company is close to bankruptcy, staff are totally demoralised. Write a story of how the company came to this position.

    Length and Presentation:
    Written proposal no longer than 500 words.

    Criteria by which your assignment will be marked:
    Ability to give coherent and substantive explanations to questions posed on written submissions.


    Assessment 2: Oral Interview on Group Proposal and Individual Submission
    Weighting: 10%
    Due Date: see MyUni
    Submission Details: Oral Interview arranged with Lecturer

    Task:
    An oral assessment will be conducted after receipt of the written proposal to assess the candidate’s understanding and seek clarification on any points in relation to their written submissions.

    Length and Presentation:
    Varies depending on engagement with Lecturer

    Criteria by which your assignment will be marked:
    The breadth and depth of the proposal; the source and coverage of the data/information as well as the methodology and questions proposed to gather the information.


    Assessment 3: Presentation of business plan with visual aids to Lecturer and Peer Group
    Weighting: 10% and 5% (Overall Participation and Contribution/Feedback to Peers)
    Due Date:
    Submission Details: Oral presentation including any visual aids or apparatus such as powerpoint slides, models, simulations and/or prototypesTask:Candidates must present the merits of the proposed business plan to the Lecturer and Class. Candidates can utilise various tools (powerpoint, flash, props, prototypes, models etc) to highlight their presentations and capture their audience attention. This will be a highly interactive session with Class members querying the presenting teams.

    Length and Presentation:
    Oral presentation 20 minutes; Q&A 20 minutes

    Criteria by which your assignment will be marked:

    Presentation            30%           Clarity, Comprehensiveness, Delivery, Effectiveness of Presentation Aids
    Rigour 30% Feasibility, Consistency, Appropriateness of Assumptions, Extent of Verification, Execution
    Investability 40% Attractiveness of proposition, Credibility of team, Competitiveness/Protectable Advantage, Sustainability, Growth potential, Innovativeness
    Assessment 4a: Group Final report
    Weighting: 10% written report and 5% report highlighting deviation from Proposal
    Due Date: see MyUni
    Submission Details: Online through MyUni

    Task:
    The Final Report will comprise:
    • Final Business Plan (after amendments based on earlier verification and feedback received)
    • Report comparing the areas which deviated from the original business proposal and the reasons for these
    Length and Presentation:
    Written report no longer than 5000 words; including the Executive Summary ( 1 page)

    Criteria by which your assignment will be marked:
    Include the description of the business (the opportunity, team to be recruited, the competition, market penetration strategy and the financials), the results of the verification exercise and how these results have impacted the final business plan.


    Assessment 4b:
    Individual Paper
    Weighting: 15%
    Due Date: see MyUni
    Submission Details: Online through MyUni

    Task:

    Essay to answer:
    • Would you invest in this Business Plan? Why/Why not? Discuss both Financial and non-Financial reasons.
    • Describe 3 learning points from this project.
    • On hindsight, what could you have done differently in terms of validating any part of the project?
    Length and Presentation:
    Written submission no longer than 500 words.

    Criteria by which your assignment will be marked:
    Depth and breadth of analyses and rationale for answer.



    Assessment 5:Oral Interview on Final Group and Individual Submissions
    Weighting: 20% oral interview
    Due Date: see MyUni
    Submission Details: Oral Interview arranged with Lecturer

    Task:
    An oral assessment will be conducted after receipt of the written proposal to assess the candidate’s understanding and seek clarification on any points in relation to their written submissions.

    Length and Presentation:
    Varies depending on engagement with Lecturer

    Criteria by which your assignment will be marked:
    The breadth and depth of the proposal; the source and coverage of the data/information as well as the methodology and questions proposed to gather the information.
    Submission
    All text based assignments must be submitted via MyUni.
    Please refer to step by step instructions: http://www.adelaide.edu.au/myuni/tutorials/files/AssignmentStudentSubmission.pdf

    There are a few points to note about the submission of assignments:
    • Assignment Submission:  Assignments should not be emailed to the instructor; they must be lodged via the MyUni Course site (unless specified to do both). Note that assignments may be processed via TURNITIN, which is an online plagiarism prevention tool.
    • Cover Sheet:  Please submit, separate to your assignment, the completed University of Adelaide Assessment Cover Sheet providing details of yourself and your team members (if applicable), your assignment, the course, date submitted, etc. as well as the declaration signed by you that this is your (your team’s) work.  Note that the declaration on any electronically submitted assignment will be deemed to have the same authority as a signed declaration.
    • Backup Copy of Assignments:  You are advised to keep a copy of your assignments in case the submitted copy goes missing.  Please ensure that all assignment pages are numbered. If your assignment contains confidential information, you should discuss any concerns with the Course Lecturer prior to submission.
    • Extensions of Time:  Any request for an extension of time for the submission of an assignment should be made well before the due date of the assignment to the Course Lecturer.  Normally, extensions will only be granted for a maximum of two weeks from the original assignment submission date.  Extensions will only be granted in cases of genuine extenuating circumstances and proof, such as a doctor’s certificate, may be required.
    • Failure to submit: Failure to submit an assignment on time or by the agreed extension deadline may result in penalties and may incur a fail grade.  Note that a late penalty of 5% of the total available marks for that assessment item will be incurred each day an assignment is handed in late (Unless otherwise stated in 'Assessment Related Requirements' or 'Assessment Detail' above) Assignments handed in after 14 days from the due submission date will fail even if a 100% mark is granted for the work.

    Resubmission & Remarking

    Resubmission of an assignment for remarking after reworking it to obtain a better mark will not normally be accepted.  Approval for resubmission will only be granted on medical or compassionate grounds.
    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
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