Applied Entrepreneurship
Concept Development & Validation
Assignment 3
Title: Validation Research Exercise
Value: 15%
End Outcome:
Thistaskisspecificallydesignedtotestyourselectedbusinessconceptandvalidatethis
idea using primary research and survey techniques.
Format: Please submit in .doc or .docx format.
Word Count: 1,500 words (+/- 10%)
Due Date: Refer to Unit Milestones Calendar
On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
1.Apply information and data from real market situations to identify venture
opportunities;
2.Apply creative thinking skills to develop potential response opportunities to
identified scenarios, taking into account key customer markets and segments;
3. Apply business theories to develop a draft business model for a venture.
Related graduate attributes:
• UC graduates are professional – employ up-to-date and relevant
knowledge and skills (1.);
• UC graduates are professional – take pride in their professional and
personal integrity (1.);
• UC graduates are professional – use creativity, critical thinking, analysis and
research skills to solve theoretical and real-world problems (1.);
• UC graduates are global citizens – display initiative and drive, and use their
organisation skills to plan and manage their workload (1.);
• UC graduates are global citizens – understand issues in their profession from the
perspective of other cultures (2.);
• UC graduates are global citizens – behave ethically and sustainably in their
professional and personal lives (2.);
• UC graduates are global citizens – make creative use of technology in their
learning and professional lives (2.);This task is Part 3 of your enterprise concept journey. From Part 2, you should now have a solid sense of your key
business problems, market size and clear overview of key target markets, consumer segments and competitors.
This assessment builds upon this foundation and requires you to put into practice some validation techniques in
order to understand the viability of your business concept.
You will need to demonstrate ONE KEY primary research method to collect data and information, and
justify the rationale behind your approach.
Within the task you need:
1) Explanation of primary research method selection and approach. How are you designing your
validation exercise? To whom? With what timing? Using what technology? How was this audience
selected? Remember who your target market is, and ensure that you gather feedback from them.
2) Evidence of your validation technique (i.e. link to an online survey, interview transcripts, focus group
questions)
3) Summary of your findings, with clear links to the market research you’ve undertaken. Was your
idea validated as you expected? How did potential customers react to your concept?
4) As always, a concise “Pivot Point” should be your conclusion. A summary of where your enterprise
concept is situated.
Perhaps you felt the need to change your concept here in this final step, this is okay! If your idea was not
validated, you should go back and reconsider your primary business concept - maybe an alternative is more
appropriate. Do you need to consider an alternative concept or a different target market? Why? If you are to pivot
your concept, what steps are you going to take? If you aren’t pivoting your concept, reflect on what went well in the
validation process, and what you may change in the future if you had more resources and time.
Hints :
●This assignment is a chance to utilise some insightful primary research methods. Try to develop some
methods that test some of the gaps and opportunities you identified in Part 2.
●Utilise a variety of primary research methods: online surveys (Surveymonkey or typeform), asking people
in the streets, personal data collection, social media campaign with a call-to-action etc.
●Don’t feel scared of pivoting your concept if something was uncovered in your interviews and validation:
perhaps you want to go after a different target market, or a new product concept. Outline this discussion
and expand on why you are making these decisions.
●How you integrate your primary research insights into your report is up to – but get creative not only with
your methodology, but also how you present these findings. Show directly how this has informed your
validation process. Give solid rationale for all decisions. And, if struggling to elaborate, provide rationale
on that rationale!
●Submit the report in a .doc or .docx format
Suggested Structure:
The structure of Task 3 should be the following:
●Title Page
●Overview of Primary Research Approach
●1. Evidence of your research
●2. Outline of your validation techniques
●3. Summary of your validation findings
●4. Pivot Point Discussion and Any Conclusions
●List of references
●AppendixDue: Refer to Unit Milestones Calendar
Length: 1, 500 words (+/- 10%)
Title: Full title of paper, single spaced on the first page.
Identification: Full name and student number, single spaced on
the first page.
Journal Articles: No minimum for this task, as emphasis is on primary
research methods. However, all modules and approaches you use must
still be referenced.
Page Numbers: Pages numbers placed on top right hand corner of
each page, without brackets or full stops.
Presentation and Format: Report type- written or word
processed in 12-point font, double spaced, with margins of at least
25mm. Appropriate subheadings to provide structure to your
assignment.
Referencing: Harvard or APA system of referencing is used.
Full reference list – not bibliography – included at end of plan.
Library and Resources: Full reference list – not bibliography –
included at end of slides. Marking Sheet for Assignment
Assessment Criteria
Less than 50
Pass
50-64
Credit
65-74
Distinction
75-84
High Distinction 85
plus
Clear outline of methodology
and appropriate use of
primary research methods
for validation.
(40%)
No use of
concepts/frameworks
from course to
approach primary
research, or research
is missing.
Little use of
concepts/frameworks
to assist methodology
and to form
research-based
insights.
Frameworks and
models are used well
to assist primary
research and solid
attempt at validation
using these
approaches.
High competency and
confident application of
primary research
approaches. They are
used very well to assist
validation.
Outstanding use of primary
research approaches from
course. Confident and
considered application of
these for validation.
Appropriately summarised
and described conclusions
drawn from research
insights.
(20%)
There is no link
between primary
research and
conclusions included.
Unclear link between
primary research
conclusions outlined.
Lack of insightful
discussion provided
Nicely summarised
research findings.
Links consistent
Nuanced discussion of
findings and links to
primary research
insights.
Highly nuanced discussion
of key research insights with
excellent rationale and
insightful conclusion
Substantive use of previous
assignment engagement.
Narrative is reflective,
rationale is provided on all
pivots and decisions.
(20%)
Assignment does not
integrate previous
opportunity
identification task.
Previous assignment is
less well integrated.
Unclear justification to
previous opportunity
identification task.
Good continuation from
previous task with solid
narrative.
Excellent and
developed continuation
from previous task, with
highly appropriate links
to previous niche and
gaps discussed.
Outstanding continuation
from previous task. Highly
relevant and appropriate
links closely to opportunities
identified from previous task.
Formatting requirements,
professionalism in language
and presentation
(10%)
Undeveloped
grasp of commercial
or professional
language or
presentation.
Developing grasp
of professional
presentation ability and
commercial language
use.
Good
understanding and
application of
commercial language
and concepts with solid
presentation.
Very good
application and use of
professional language
and presentation. High
enthusiasm and
commercial relevance.
Outstanding application
and confidence of
commercial language with
high regard for professional
presentation.
Accuracy of sourcing,
citation and referencing
(10%)
Paper includes mostly
incorrect citing and
referencing using
APA/Harvard
referencing system.
Paper includes
consistent errors
and/or inconsistencies
with citations and
referencing using the
APA/Harvard
referencing system.
Paper includes very
good citations and
referencing using the
APA/Harvard
referencing system
with some errors
and/or inconsistencies.
Paper includes
accurate citations and
referencing using
APA/Harvard
referencing system with
some minor errors.
Paper includes highly
accurate citations and
referencing using the
APA/Harvard referencing
system.