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Viability of Business Projects (VPE)

Credits Dept.
7.5 (6.0 ECTS) OE

Instructors

Person in charge:  (-)
Others:(-)

General goals

University graduates can find themselves in the situation of having to analyse or take on the project of starting their own business. This is especially true in the case of computer scientists. There are moments in one's professional career at which one must be able to assess or judge the suitability of business ventures undertaken or promoted by third parties, or understand the possibilities a new product or service has for success. It is for this reason that this subject focuses on providing students with an understanding of the main techniques used in analysing the viability of new business ventures: business start-up or the implementation of new projects, products or services. This project-oriented, eminently practical subject is aimed at each student's being able to draft as realistic a business plan as possible.

Specific goals

Knowledges

  1. Understanding the business/company concept and the keys to success in a business start-up.
  2. Evaluate the entrepreneur"s role and identify the skills needed to get a business start-up off the ground.
  3. The marketing, financial, operational and human elements making up a good business plan.
  4. The communication skills needed by an entrepreneur to "sell" a business start-up.

Abilities

  1. The ability to set priorities for a new business and to realistically appraise the business opportunities.
  2. Ability to draw up a viable business plan in a rational, efficient manner.
  3. Ability to grasp the technical, marketing, and personnel problems involved in starting a business.
  4. Ability to convey and defend the plan for a business start-up.

Competences

(no available informacion)

Contents

Estimated time (hours):

T P L Alt Ext. L Stu A. time
Theory Problems Laboratory Other activities External Laboratory Study Additional time

1. Introduction to key aspects of business.
T      P      L      Alt    Ext. L Stu    A. time Total 
5,0 0 0 0 0 5,0 0 10,0

2. The business idea/project.
T      P      L      Alt    Ext. L Stu    A. time Total 
2,0 0 0 0 0 2,0 0 4,0

3. Entrepreneurs; their role in society, traits, and profile
T      P      L      Alt    Ext. L Stu    A. time Total 
2,0 0 0 1,0 0 2,0 1,0 6,0
  • Other activities:
    Project session: Drawing up the business plan.
  • Other extra activities:
    Development of the business plan.

4. Analysis of business opportunities and brainstorming techniques
T      P      L      Alt    Ext. L Stu    A. time Total 
3,0 0 0 2,0 0 3,0 2,0 10,0
  • Other activities:
    Project session: Development of the business plan.
  • Other extra activities:
    Drawing up the business plan.

5. From idea to company. Contents of the business plan.
T      P      L      Alt    Ext. L Stu    A. time Total 
2,0 0 0 0 0 2,0 0 4,0

6. Differential factors and competitors. DAFO analysis
T      P      L      Alt    Ext. L Stu    A. time Total 
2,0 0 0 1,0 0 2,0 1,0 6,0
  • Other activities:
    Project session: Development of the business plan.
  • Other extra activities:
    Drawing up the business plan.

7. Market opportunities and gaps
T      P      L      Alt    Ext. L Stu    A. time Total 
3,0 0 0 2,0 0 3,0 2,0 10,0
  • Other activities:
    Project session: Development of the business plan.
  • Other extra activities:
    Drawing up the business plan.

8. Distribution
T      P      L      Alt    Ext. L Stu    A. time Total 
4,0 0 0 1,0 0 4,0 1,0 10,0
  • Other activities:
    Project session: Development of the business plan.
  • Other extra activities:
    Drawing up the business plan.

9. Communication and marketing
T      P      L      Alt    Ext. L Stu    A. time Total 
3,0 0 0 2,0 0 3,0 2,0 10,0
  • Other activities:
    Project session: Development of the business plan.
  • Other extra activities:
    Drawing up the business plan.

10. Resource requirements
T      P      L      Alt    Ext. L Stu    A. time Total 
4,0 0 0 1,0 0 4,0 1,0 10,0
  • Other activities:
    Project session: Development of the business plan.
  • Other extra activities:
    Drawing up the business plan.

11. Collaborators and team
T      P      L      Alt    Ext. L Stu    A. time Total 
3,0 0 0 2,0 0 2,0 2,0 9,0
  • Other activities:
    Project session: Development of the business plan.
  • Other extra activities:
    Drawing up the business plan.

12. Technological viability.
T      P      L      Alt    Ext. L Stu    A. time Total 
1,0 0 0 0 0 1,0 0 2,0

13. Sales and costs.
T      P      L      Alt    Ext. L Stu    A. time Total 
3,0 0 0 1,0 0 3,0 1,0 8,0
  • Other activities:
    Project session: Development of the business plan.
  • Other extra activities:
    Drawing up the business plan.

14. Sources of funding and profitability.
T      P      L      Alt    Ext. L Stu    A. time Total 
3,0 0 0 2,0 0 3,0 2,0 10,0
  • Other activities:
    Project session: Development of the business plan.
  • Other extra activities:
    Drawing up the business plan.

15. "Closing" the plan. Review of the logical structure. Analysis of objections
T      P      L      Alt    Ext. L Stu    A. time Total 
1,0 0 0 2,0 0 1,0 2,0 6,0
  • Other activities:
    Project session: Development of the business plan.
  • Other extra activities:
    Drawing up the business plan.

16. Presenting the plan. The entrepreneur as salesman.
T      P      L      Alt    Ext. L Stu    A. time Total 
2,0 0 0 0 0 2,0 0 4,0

17. Some communication and presentation techniques
T      P      L      Alt    Ext. L Stu    A. time Total 
3,0 0 0 2,0 0 3,0 2,0 10,0
  • Other activities:
    Project session: Development of the business plan.
  • Other extra activities:
    Drawing up the business plan.

18. Presentation of the plan to potential investors (role play).
T      P      L      Alt    Ext. L Stu    A. time Total 
0 0 0 5,0 0 0 0 5,0
  • Other activities:
    Presentation of the business plan


Total per kind T      P      L      Alt    Ext. L Stu    A. time Total 
46,0 0 0 24,0 0 45,0 19,0 134,0
Avaluation additional hours 2,0
Total work hours for student 136,0

Docent Methodolgy

The theory classes basically employ lectures and, where appropriate, provide examples of business development so that students can pick up ideas to put into practice during the project sessions.



Some of the theory classes may include a talk by an entrepreneur or director on real-life approaches to the problem under consideration.



The purpose of the project sessions is to help students build up their business plans. Section 3.2 details the various methodologies that will be used, which range from groups and brainstorming to marketing research over the Internet, preparation of sections of a business plan, and joint presentations by group members.



Project development will be carefully oriented and monitored to facilitate subsequent drawing up of a business plan. In addition to bibliography, students will be provided with specific articles and reading material in each of the teaching blocks. Students must read these articles and draw conclusions in order to subsequently apply these in the project planning sessions.

Evaluation Methodgy

The assessment is based on student presentations and the defence of the business plan before a jury comprising course faculty members and - optionally - another member of the teaching staff or guest professional.

The presentation of the plan is the culmination of the term"s work and therefore only those plans meeting certain minimum requirements may be publicly defended before the jury. The presentation simulates a professional setting. Accordingly, the following aspects will also be assessed: dress, formal, well-structured communication, etc.

In order to be able to publicly defend the business plan, students must have attended at least 50% of the classes and teams must have delivered on time the activities that have been planned.The plan is the result of teamwork, which will be reflected in the grade given to the group as a whole. Each member of the group will be responsible for part of the project and will be graded individually on his or her contribution.

This approach is designed to foster teamwork, in which members share responsibility for attaining a common objective.

Basic Bibliography

  • Oriol Amat Contabilidad y Finanzas para no financieros, Gestión 2000, 2002.
  • William Cohen El Plan de Marketing: Procedimientos, Formularios, Estrategia y Técnica, Ediciones Deusto, 2002.
  • José Mª Veciana Vergés La creación de empresas: un enfoque gerencial, Servicio de Estudios de La Caixa, nº 33.
  • Marcos Eguiguren, Esteban Barroso Empresa 3.0: Políticas y valores corporativos en una cultura empresarial sostenible, Ediciones Pirámide, 2011.

Complementary Bibliography

  • José María Veciana Vergés Función directiva, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Servei de Publicacions, 1999.
  • Félix Velasco Aprender a elaborar un plan de negocio, Paidós, 2007.
  • Pedro Nueno Emprendiendo, el arte de crear empresas y sus artistas, Ediciones Deusto, 1999.
  • Manuel Ludevid Como crear su propia empresa: factores claves de gestión, Marcombo - Boixareu, 1986.
  • Hisrich, R., Peters, M., Sheperd, D. Entrepreneurship. Emprendedores, Mc Graw Hill, 2005.

Web links

  1. http://www.emprender-en-aragon.es/guiaprac/


  2. http://www.odiseaWeb.com


  3. http://www.barcelonactiva.es


  4. http://www.psicologia-online.comtest/pf/index.html


  5. http://www.colorquiz.com


  6. http://pinnova.upc.es/Innova


  7. http://www.belbin.com


Previous capacities

Students must have passed E3.

Students are advised to take this course towards the end of the degree.

The first quarter of each academical year classes will be given in English. It is convenient that students have a reasonable knowledge of that language.


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