ENTREP 3008NA - Entrepreneurship Research Project
Ngee Ann Academy - Quadmester 2 - 2016
-
General Course Information
Course Details
Course Code ENTREP 3008NA Course Entrepreneurship Research Project Coordinating Unit Entrepreneurship, Commercialisation & Innov Centre Term Quadmester 2 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 Assessment Individual assignments, reports 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, 成人大片 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: 98201857Course Timetable
The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from .
TTerm 2: April to July 2016
Consultation session:
With Doris Yee
18 April 2016 7:15 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 mannerUniversity 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 requiredRecommended 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 成人大片’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:
From this link, you are able to access the Library's electronic resources.Online Learning
MyUni is the 成人大片'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: ) -
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.
Learning Activities Summary Week Activities Deliverable 1 Briefing on Project
-Objectives
-Scope/Expectations
-Milestones
-Assessment1-3 Form Teams, Work on Project Proposal, Assumptions, Verification Plan 3 Submit Assignment
(Proposal, Assumptions, Verification Plan)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 Proposal
2. 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 Feasibility7 Mentoring Session(17 Nov) to update progress and give Feedback Show:
-Results of Surveys/Vendor Quotations
-Interviews/Observations/Experiments
-Research/Readings Related to Project
-Compare Progress against Verification Plan9 Peer Group Review Presentation with Visual Aids/Prototypes to Lecturer, Peers
• Peers to query other Presenting Teams, Award Bonus, Demerit Points, Overall Participation/Contribution10 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 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:
- Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
- Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
- Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
- Assessment must maintain academic standards.
Assessment Summary
An overview of the course assessment appears in the following Table. Details appear in the following section:
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.# Assessment Length Weighting Due Date Learning Outcomes 1a Proposal for own business
Assumptions, Verification Plan
<2000 words
Gantt Chart10%
5%see MyUni 2 1b Individual Paper < 500 words 10% see MyUni 2 2 Oral on Group, Individual Submission of Proposal 10% see MyUni 2 Mentoring Session see MyUni 1, 2 3 Presentation to Lecturer, Peer Group
Overall Participation/
Contribution/Feedback to other Team(s)Oral presentation with Visual Aids/Prototypes 10%
5%see MyUni 1,2,3 4a Group Final Report:Final Business Plan
Group Report Deviation from Original Proposal<5000 words 10%
5%see MyUni 4b Individual Paper < 500 words 15% see MyUni 1,2 5 Oral on Group, Individual
Submission of Final Report20% see MyUni 1,2 Total 100% Assessment Related Requirements
Students should attend all classes in order to pass the course. There is considerable experiential learning in workshops during the intensive classes that build your knowledge and thus enable you to be successful in this course.
Course results are subject to moderation by the ECIC Board of ExaminersAssessment 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: see MyUni
Submission Details: Oral presentation including any visual aids or apparatus such as powerpoint slides, models, simulations and/or prototypes
Task:
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:
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 成人大片 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 .
-
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
- Academic Integrity for Students
- Academic Support with Maths
- Academic Support with writing and study skills
- Careers Services
- Library Services for Students
- LinkedIn Learning
- Student Life Counselling Support - Personal counselling for issues affecting study
- Students with a Disability - Alternative academic arrangements
-
Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
- Academic Credit Arrangements Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progress by Coursework Students Policy
- Assessment for Coursework Programs Policy
- Copyright Compliance Policy
- Coursework Academic Programs Policy
- Intellectual Property Policy
- IT Acceptable Use and Security Policy
- Modified Arrangements for Coursework Assessment Policy
- Reasonable Adjustments to Learning, Teaching & Assessment for Students with a Disability Policy
- Student Experience of Learning and Teaching Policy
- Student Grievance Resolution Process
-
Fraud Awareness
Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student鈥檚 disciplinary procedures.
The 成人大片 is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The 成人大片 therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.