MGB162 Entrepreneurship: Identifying Problems and Opportunities


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Unit Outline: Semester 1 2025, Gardens Point, Internal

Unit code:MGB162
Credit points:12
Equivalent:EED002
Coordinator:David Herold | d.herold@qut.edu.au
Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of the teaching period.

Overview

Understanding and having the confidence to understand real-world problems and opportunities is critical in developing entrepreneurial ventures. In this unit you will explore a range of theories, approaches, techniques, and tools to develop your creative self-efficacy including problem framing, opportunity identification and creative problem solving. In so doing you will develop the capability to explore a range of possible ideas for you venture including learning about sustainability development goals and the potential innovations these create for your venture.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:

  1. Understand a wide range of conceptual and practical issues that facilitate creativity and innovation. [KS 1.1]
  2. Apply and evaluate ideation, creative problem solving techniques, design thinking and analogical thinking principles to generate alternate solutions in relation to entrepreneurial ventures. [HO 2.1, 2.2]
  3. Reflect upon and evaluate data received from a variety of sources and tools in order to understand your own creative self-efficacy. [TS 4.1]
  4. Use teamwork knowledge and skills in working with peers to communicate new value ideas to entrepreneurship ecosystem stakeholders. [TS 4.2]
  5. Communicate to a defined audience the nature of the creativity process and/or relevant recommendations or outcomes. [PC 3.1, 3.2]

Content

- Problem framing techniques
- Opportunity identification
- Solution generation techniques
- Systems thinking (Alternate and disparate world views)
- Foundations of creativity and innovation practice
- Creativity vs Innovation
- Creative self-efficacy
- Sustainability development goals
- Presenting and pitching

Learning Approaches

This unit takes a blended approach to learning and teaching. You will be provided with both eContent and timetabled activities such as lectures, tutorials, and bootcamps. eContent will be clearly identified on your Canvas site for you to engage with on a weekly basis before your classes. eContent could include videos, readings, self-reflection and/or peer activities designed to enhance your learning experience. During the timetabled activities, the unit coordinator and/or your tutor will further explain content and you will be provided with opportunities to explore this content in a collaborative learning environment. After your weekly classes, you should continue to engage with unit resources to ensure you consolidate your understanding of unit content. Teaching team members will also be available for one-on-one consultations to assist you with your learning journey.

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

Students will receive feedback in various forms throughout the semester which may include:

  •  Informal: worked examples, such as verbal feedback in class, individual consultation
  •  Formal: in writing, such as checklists, rubrics, written commentary
  •  Direct: to individual students, either in written form or in consultation
  •  Indirect: to the whole class

Assessment

Overview

In this unit you will undertake a series of assessment items designed to assist you developing key skills and attributes relating to your creative and problem solving ability.  Working both in groups and individually you will undertake a number of different tasks designed to develop and build your creative self-efficacy.

Students may be required to attend campus or an assessment centre for the purposes of assessment, regardless of the attendance mode for the unit.

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Problem Pitch

You will work in a team to identify, examine and present real-world problems or opportunites that can be solved with entrepreneurial spirit. Together, you will pitch your problems or opportunties to the class. In the presentation, you will need to demonstrate how you used relevant concepts and tools for identifying a problem and provide real-world evidence to support your case.

This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.

Business Capabilities (AoL goals): KS (1.1), HO (2.1, 2.2), PC (3.2), TS (4.2)

Weight: 30
Length: 15 minutes
Individual/Group: Group
Due (indicative): Week 6
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2, 4, 5

Assessment: Problem and Opportunity Identification

Building on the problem or opportunity analysis from assessment 1, your team will prepare a report outlining the framing, analysis and synthesis of the problem as well as discussing the role of each team member in the process.

This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.

Business Capabilities (AoL goals): HO (2.1, 2.2), PC (3.1, 3.2), TS (4.2)

Weight: 35
Length: 10 minutes + 1500 words
Individual/Group: Group
Due (indicative): Week 9
Related Unit learning outcomes: 2, 5

Assessment: From the Problem to the Solution

Based on your identified problem, you will need to come up with three potential solutions to the problem. The solutions should be applicable in the real-world and you should demonstrate entrepreneurial thinking when you and your team present your solutions to the class. You are encouraged to use creativity and out of the box thinking in approaching this task.

This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.

Business Capabilities (AoL goals): KS (1.1), HO (2.1), PC (3.1), TS (4.1)

 

Weight: 35
Length: 1500 words
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Week 13
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 5

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.

The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.

You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.

Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Resources

Weekly resources will be made available on the unit Canvas site.

Risk Assessment Statement

There are no out-of-the ordinary risks associated with this unit. You should, however, familiarise yourself with evacuation procedures operating in the buildings in which you attend classes and take the time to view the Emergency video.

Standards/Competencies

This unit is designed to support your development of the following standards\competencies.

QUT Business Capabilities (Undergraduate)

HO (2.1): Critical Analysis

Relates to: ULO2, Problem Pitch, Problem and Opportunity Identification, From the Problem to the Solution

HO (2.2): Independent Judgement and Decision-Making

Relates to: ULO2, Problem Pitch, Problem and Opportunity Identification

KS (1.1): Discipline Knowledge

Relates to: ULO1, Problem Pitch, From the Problem to the Solution

PC (3.1): Professional Communication (Written)

Relates to: ULO5, Problem and Opportunity Identification, From the Problem to the Solution

PC (3.2): Professional Communication (Oral)

Relates to: ULO5, Problem Pitch, Problem and Opportunity Identification

TS (4.1): Self-Reflection and Accountability

Relates to: ULO3, From the Problem to the Solution

TS (4.2): Teamwork Knowledge and Skills

Relates to: ULO4, Problem Pitch, Problem and Opportunity Identification