Viability of Business Projects

Credits
6
Types
Specialisation complementary (Information Systems)
Requirements
Department
OE
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.

Teachers

Person in charge

  • Joan Alsina Jimenez (joan.alsina.jimenez@upc.edu)

Weekly hours

Theory
2
Problems
0
Laboratory
2
Guided learning
0
Autonomous learning
6

Competences

Technical Competences

Common technical competencies

  • CT3 - To demonstrate knowledge and comprehension of the organizational, economic and legal context where her work is developed (proper knowledge about the company concept, the institutional and legal framework of the company and its organization and management)
    • CT3.2 - To know and describe the main processes of the functional areas of a company and the existent links between them, which make possible the coordination and integration in a group.
    • CT3.3 - To be able to find and interpret basic information for evaluating the economic environment of the organization.
    • CT3.4 - To know the basic financial concepts which allow valuing the costs and benefits of a project or different alternatives, monitor a budget, control the cost, etc.
    • CT3.6 - To demonstrate knowledge about the ethical dimension of the company: in general, the social and corporative responsibility and, concretely, the civil and professional responsibilities of the informatics engineer.

    • Technical Competences of each Specialization

    Information systems specialization

  • CSI2 - To integrate solutions of Information and Communication Technologies, and business processes to satisfy the information needs of the organizations, allowing them to achieve their objectives effectively.
    • CSI2.1 - To demonstrate comprehension and apply the management principles and techniques about quality and technological innovation in the organizations.
  • CSI3 - To determine the requirements of the information and communication systems of an organization, taking into account the aspects of security and compliance of the current normative and legislation.
    • CSI3.1 - To demonstrate comprehension of the principles of risks evaluation and apply them correctly when elaborating and executing operation plans.

    • Transversal Competences

    Entrepreneurship and innovation

  • G1 [Avaluable] - To know and understand the organization of a company and the sciences which govern its activity; capacity to understand the labour rules and the relation between planning, industrial and business strategies, quality and benefit. To develop creativity, entrepreneur spirit and innovation tendency.
    • G1.1 - To have initiatives and acquire basic knowledge about organizations and to familiarize oneself with the instruments and techniques of generation and management of ideas, which allow solving known problems, and generate opportunities.

    • Objectives

    1. Understanding the business/company concept and the keys to success in a business start-up as well as the difficulties an entrepreneur faces both from a market and from a human perspective.
      Related competences: G1.1, CT3.2,
    2. To recognize the role of entrepreneurs, identify their profile and the skills needed to start a new company
      Related competences: CT3.6, CSI2.1, G1.2,
    3. The marketing, financial, operational and human elements making up a good business plan.
      Related competences: CT3.3, CSI3.1, G1.2, CT3.2,
    4. The communication skills needed by an entrepreneur to "sell" a business start-up and the ability to convey and defend the plan
      Related competences: CSI2.1, G1.2,
    5. The ability to set priorities for a new business and to realistically appraise the business opportunities.
      Related competences: CT3.3, CSI2.1,
    6. Ability to draw up a viable business plan in a rational, efficient manner.
      Related competences: CSI3.1, G1.2, CT3.4,

    Contents

    1. Introduction to key aspects of business
      Introducció a l'assignatura i aspectes clau de l'activitat empresarial
    2. The business idea/project
      El concepte de negoci o projecte
      empresarial
    3. Entrepreneurs; their role in society, traits, and profile
      L'emprenedor; el seu paper a la societat, característiques i perfil
    4. Analysis of business opportunities and brainstorming techniques
      Anàlisi d'oportunitats de negoci i tècniques de generació de idees
    5. From the idea to the company. Contents of the business plan
      De la idea a l'empresa. Continguts del pla denegoci
    6. Differential factors and competitors. DAFO analysis
      Factors diferencials i competència. Anàlisi DAFO
    7. Market opportunities and gaps
      Oportunitat i forats de mercat
    8. Distribution
      Distribució
    9. Communication and marketing
      Comunicació i marketing
    10. Resource requirements and technological viability
      Necessitats de recursos i viabilitat tecnológica
    11. Collaborators and team
      Col·laboradors i equip humà
    12. Sales and costs
      Vendes i costos
    13. Sources of funding and profitability
      Fons de financiació i rendibilitat
    14. "Closing" the plan. Review of the logical structure. Analysis of objections
      Tancament del pla. Revisió de l'estructura lògica. Anàlisi d'objeccions
    15. Presenting the plan. The entrepreneur as salesman. Some communication and presentation techniques
      La presentació del pla. L'emprenedor com a principal venedor. Algunes tècniques de comunicació i presentació
    16. Presentation of the plan to potential investors (role play)
      Presentació del pla a possibles inversors simulats

    Activities

    Activity Evaluation act


    Introduction and team building



    Theory
    2h
    Problems
    0h
    Laboratory
    1h
    Guided learning
    0h
    Autonomous learning
    5h

    Revising success keys to take into consideration when starting up a company



    Theory
    2h
    Problems
    0h
    Laboratory
    0h
    Guided learning
    0h
    Autonomous learning
    7h

    Brain storming and other idea generation and business opportunity identificacion tools



    Theory
    1h
    Problems
    0h
    Laboratory
    4h
    Guided learning
    0h
    Autonomous learning
    6h

    Features and profile of an entrepreneur. The experience of a young entrepreneur



    Theory
    2h
    Problems
    0h
    Laboratory
    1h
    Guided learning
    0h
    Autonomous learning
    6h

    Strategy, competitive advantages and SWOT of the business idea. Market research



    Theory
    2h
    Problems
    0h
    Laboratory
    3h
    Guided learning
    0h
    Autonomous learning
    4h

    Presenting the Innovative Reliable Business Idea


    Objectives: 2 4 5
    Week: 5
    Theory
    0h
    Problems
    0h
    Laboratory
    0h
    Guided learning
    0h
    Autonomous learning
    0h

    Benchmarking and strategic marketing



    Theory
    2h
    Problems
    0h
    Laboratory
    4h
    Guided learning
    0h
    Autonomous learning
    5h

    Marketin plan and the four P's: place, product, price and promotion



    Theory
    4h
    Problems
    0h
    Laboratory
    4h
    Guided learning
    0h
    Autonomous learning
    6h

    Financial needs analysis. Introduction to finance. The balance sheet. The P&L statement and the treasury plan



    Theory
    4h
    Problems
    0h
    Laboratory
    5h
    Guided learning
    0h
    Autonomous learning
    6h

    Presenting the marketing plan of our company


    Objectives: 1 3 5 6
    Week: 9
    Theory
    0h
    Problems
    0h
    Laboratory
    0h
    Guided learning
    0h
    Autonomous learning
    0h

    Financial tools for our company. Ratio analysis and tools for investors



    Theory
    5h
    Problems
    0h
    Laboratory
    4h
    Guided learning
    0h
    Autonomous learning
    5h

    Organizational structure, legal basics and the human factor



    Theory
    3h
    Problems
    0h
    Laboratory
    1h
    Guided learning
    0h
    Autonomous learning
    6h

    Closing the plan. Revising the check list and communication tools for entrepreneurs



    Theory
    3h
    Problems
    0h
    Laboratory
    0h
    Guided learning
    0h
    Autonomous learning
    8h

    Presenting the business plan to a jury that simulates an investor's behavior


    Objectives: 1 3 4 6
    Week: 14
    Theory
    0h
    Problems
    0h
    Laboratory
    0h
    Guided learning
    0h
    Autonomous learning
    0h

    Teaching methodology

    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 lab and directed learning sessions is to help students build up their business plans. This guide 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 methodology

    The assessment consists of two examinations, which may be in multiple-choice format, the preparation of a business plan document, and the presentation and defence of the final business plan before a panel composed of the course lecturers and, optionally, other invited academics or professionals. These three assessment components contribute to the final grade as follows: first examination, 20%; second examination, 20%; business plan document and final project presentation, 60%.

    To pass the course, students must obtain a minimum average score of 3.5 out of 10 across the two examinations.

    Although the business plan presentation takes place at a specific point in time, it is also the culmination of work carried out throughout the semester. Consequently, only students who meet the minimum requirements will be permitted to proceed to the public defence stage. This event will also assess the simulation of a professional environment, including appropriate professional attire and formal, well-structured communication.

    In order to present the business plan, students must have attended at least 80% of the classes, and the project teams must have submitted all scheduled assignments on time and in the required format throughout the course. As the business plan is the result of collaborative teamwork, it will receive a team grade. However, each team member will be responsible for a specific section of the project, which will be assessed individually.

    This assessment system is designed to foster teamwork and encourage the genuine assumption of shared responsibilities in pursuit of a common objective.

    Bibliography

    Basic

    Complementary

    Web links

    Previous capacities

    Students must have passed E3 or any other similar subject in the field of economy.

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

    It is convenient that students have a reasonable knowledge of the English language.