Students
MQBS1100 – Business Innovation Challenge
2021 – Session 2, Fully online/virtual
Session 2 Learning and Teaching Update
The decision has been made to conduct study online for the remainder of Session 2 for all units WITHOUT mandatory on-campus learning activities. Exams for Session 2 will also be online where possible to do so.
This is due to the extension of the lockdown orders and to provide certainty around arrangements for the remainder of Session 2. We hope to return to campus beyond Session 2 as soon as it is safe and appropriate to do so.
Some classes/teaching activities cannot be moved online and must be taught on campus. You should already know if you are in one of these classes/teaching activities and your unit convenor will provide you with more information via iLearn. If you want to confirm, see the list of units with mandatory on-campus classes/teaching activities.
Visit the MQ COVID-19 information page for more detail.
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Unit Convenor
Robert Kay
Ashley Lai
|
|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
|
| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
Permission by special approval
|
| Corequisites |
Corequisites
|
| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
|
| Unit description |
Unit description
The capacity to identify and solve business problems is a sought after skill. Businesses seek employees who can identify and systematically assess the problems they face, propose innovative solutions, and evaluate the impact of solutions on business performance. This unit provides participants with the opportunity to directly interact with business partners and work on authentic, challenging business problems. In this unit, participants will work individually and in teams on business challenges to innovatively solve authentic problems posed by a business. Participants will develop knowledge of basic theories and skills related to teamwork, problem-solving, business analysis, and time management. Participants will also learn how to assess the significance and relevance of different solutions and their impact on social, economic and environmental factors. |
Important Academic Dates
Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
- ULO1: Identify and apply methodologies to analyse a business problem.
- ULO2: Work in teams and individually to identify and solve business problems.
- ULO3: Communicate in both written and oral form to diverse stakeholders about business problems and solutions.
- ULO4: Critically self-reflect on personal business problem-solving practices.
General Assessment Information
Late assessment submissions must be submitted through the appropriate submission link in iLearn. No extensions will be granted unless an application for Special Consideration is made and approved. There will be a deduction of 10% of the total available marks made from the total awarded mark for each 24 hour period or part thereof that the submission is late. Late submissions will not be accepted after solutions have been discussed and/or made available.
This penalty does not apply for cases in which an application for Special Consideration is made and approved. Note: applications for Special Consideration must be made within 5 (five) business days of the due date and time.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stakeholder Analysis | 20% | No | 24/09/2021 |
| Group Solutions Presentation | 40% | No | Pt 1 (proposal deck): 22/09/2021; Pt 2 (pitch): 23/09/2021 |
| Reflective Journal | 40% | No | 30/09/2021 |
Stakeholder Analysis
Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: 24/09/2021
Weighting: 20%
Students will be required to identify the range of different stakeholders both impacting and impacted by the client problem. Analysis of stakeholder perspectives on the problem will be documented in 1000 words.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Identify and apply methodologies to analyse a business problem.
- Work in teams and individually to identify and solve business problems.
- Communicate in both written and oral form to diverse stakeholders about business problems and solutions.
Group Solutions Presentation
Assessment Type 1: Presentation
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: Pt 1 (proposal deck): 22/09/2021; Pt 2 (pitch): 23/09/2021
Weighting: 40%
Over the course of the program students will present/interview the client twice as well as pitching their final idea at the end. All client engagements will require preparation, organisation and delivery.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Identify and apply methodologies to analyse a business problem.
- Work in teams and individually to identify and solve business problems.
- Communicate in both written and oral form to diverse stakeholders about business problems and solutions.
Reflective Journal
Assessment Type 1: Reflective Writing
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: 30/09/2021
Weighting: 40%
The reflective journal will be the key individual assessment item. It will take the form of an individual report of no more than 1500 words.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Identify and apply methodologies to analyse a business problem.
- Work in teams and individually to identify and solve business problems.
- Communicate in both written and oral form to diverse stakeholders about business problems and solutions.
- Critically self-reflect on personal business problem-solving practices.
1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:
- the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
- the Writing Centre for academic skills support.
2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation
Delivery and Resources
| Required Text | No textbook required |
| Unit Web Page | The web page for this unit can be found at: https://ilearn.mq.edu.au/login/ |
| Technology Used and Required |
Students are required to have access to a personal computer, Microsoft Teams and familiarise themselves with iLearn (https://ilearn.mq.edu.au/login/). iLearn will be used to post lecture slides, assessment details, student grades and as a means of communication between staff members and students. |
| Delivery Format and Other Details | The timetable for classes can be found on the University web site at: http://www.timetables.mq.edu.au/ |
| Recommended readings | Recommended readings are provided via the links on the iLearn Unit page |
| Inherent Requirements | None |
Unit Schedule
| Day | Date | Lecture Topic |
| TBC | Pre-Briefing, Reading | |
| 0 | Monday, 13 September 2021 |
Morning session: Business Problem Analysis & Innovation, Team Introductions, Ice-breakers Afternoon session: Introducing the Client & the Business Problem |
| 1 | Tuesday, 14 September 2021 |
Morning session: Understanding Modern Malaysia Afternoon session: Doing Business in Malaysia |
| 2 | Wednesday, 15 September 2021 |
Morning session: Group Project Work – Interview preparation Afternoon session: Client Interviews |
| 3 | Thursday, 16 September 2021 |
Morning session: Framing problems – STEEP & Systems perspectives Afternoon session: Mentor Interviews |
| 4 | Friday, 17 September 2021 |
Morning session: Stakeholder Analysis Afternoon session: Mentor Interviews |
| 5 | Monday, 20 September 2021 |
Morning session: 2nd round of Client Interviews Afternoon session: Report & Pitch Coaching |
| 6 | Tuesday, 21 September 2021 |
Morning session: Group Project Work Afternoon session: Group Project Work |
| 7 | Wednesday, 22 September 2021 |
Morning session: Submit report for distribution to client Afternoon session: Pitch preparation |
| 8 | Thursday, 23 September 2021 | Morning session: Team Pitch Symposium |
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
- Academic Appeals Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progression Policy
- Assessment Policy
- Fitness to Practice Procedure
- Grade Appeal Policy
- Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
- Special Consideration Policy
Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.
Student Code of Conduct
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct
Results
Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
Student Support
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to help you improve your marks and take control of your study.
The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources.
Student Services and Support
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
Student Enquiries
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
IT Help
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.
Unit information based on version 2021.04 of the Handbook