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.

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 the testing of assumptions
Finding customers/users
Group Coaching sessions

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

On completion of this module students will can:
Deploy tools to evaluate, construct and present actionable problems stimulated by global challenges
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

To be able to build a network and tool-kit for future innovation
To be able to self-appraise individual skills sets and interests, collaborating with others to fulfil the needs of a performing team
To be able to undertake objective primary market research to understand problems and opportunities.
To be able to plan and manage study time and practical work beyond timetabled sessions
To be able to 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 is active for the pre- through post-school period and will require significant group and independent work outside of lectures to plan and undertake real market research (interaction with users and stakeholders) and ideation.
Pre-school 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 feedback at the start of the first taught week. This actionable problem will become the stimulus for market research, leading to the group market research report.
A significant focus of the module is on the individual’s ability to self-appraise their own capacities and capabilities for problem-solving through innovation with a view to how they may be deployed to solve problems and approach work in the future.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

Formative: Oral presentation of an ‘actionable-problem’ to receive feedback on progress towards final report.
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 and demand-led solution.
Assessment 2: Group Market Opportunity Report (70%)
Drawing upon research work, skills and practice throughout the module, this group assessment will document the conclusions that have been drawn around the opportunity identified.
Assessment 3: Individual Self-Reflection (30%)
Students will develop awareness and a wide range of key skills through experiential learning that contextualises an innovation mind set. Through reflection and self-review students will draw outcomes and be able to tell stories of their application in the future.
Group assessment will be subject to peer assessment using the University’s tool for peer evaluation of group work contribution.

General Notes

N/A