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Assignment 2 BM Design/Innovation (21919)
The brief
Business model design and business model
innovation examine the various options of how
to make a new or existing business (more)
valuable and viable. For this assignment we will
focus on Business Model Creation and Business
Model Innovation.
The starting point for Business Model
Creation is usually a business idea, an invention,
technological advancement, the discovery of a
market niche or any other knowledge that may
promise successful commercialization. Creating
a new business model means experimenting
with the combination of various factors that
jointly do not yet exist in a given market context
and together present a unique way of gaining
competitive advantage.
The starting point for Business Model
Innovation is usually an existing business that
for some reason has become or is in danger of
becoming less viable. This could be the case
because competing products and services have
taken away market share or due to increased
global competition, changing access to key
resources etc. that lead to lower margins. The
reasons for why an existing business model
weakens are numerous. In any case, such
situation means that strategist are asked to re-
position the business or re-think how value can
best be created and delivered.
The strategic management and innovation
methods, tools and techniques being used for
either situation are largely the same. This
assignment requires you to individually either
innovate an existing business model or create a
new business model. Having gained a sound
understanding of the various elements of a
Business Model you will now chose a market
context and start exploring the options for
improved or new business models.
The two key tools and techniques used in
this assignment are the Business Model Canvas
(BMC) and the Value Proposition Canvas (VPC)
as well as some other related Strategic
Management techniques.
You are going to engage directly with
existing and potential customers, talk to existing
and potential suppliers, or other stakeholders
for the purpose of gathering important
information, evidence and support for the
creation of value propositions and related
business model options.
Your task is to imagine, explore, test, verify
and articulate the elements of a BMC and VPC
and to ensure their fit. You might apply a
business model pattern or a combination of
patterns.
How to start?
Start by choosing a market or industry
context in which you like to create or innovate a
business model. You can …
• take an idea for a business that you already
have and create a business model for it.
• pick an existing business in a foreign market
to bring to Australia.
• pick a business and explore a new market
segment.
• take a business you know well (e.g. through
your job) and innovate the business model.
The most important is that you gain access to
and develop a thorough understanding of the
market segment. You will practice the various
tools and techniques of value proposition
development and business model creation. 2
Throughout the course of this assignment you
will apply the techniques that are covered in
class. On a weekly basis there will be
recommended tasks and/or questions for you to
investigate. The answers to those questions will
come from your engagement with real
(potential) customers and other (potential)
stakeholders in your business.
Documenting those interactions and responses
will provide you with the information and
evidence needed to justify your business model
choices. Keep a record of the various iterations
of your BMC and VPC to show progress and how
the model and your thinking evolved over time.
What are the formal requirements?
You are required to produce a 7 min video
pitch in which you explain the BM that you
created. In this pitch you will be using a BMC
and VPC and possibly a range of other related
innovation methods, strategy tools as well as
communication techniques. The video will
finally be uploaded/ embedded in a submission
Wiki on UTS online.
Alongside you are required to provide a min.
2500 word (max. 3000 word) business model
report/plan, which will address the key
features and justification for your business
model choices. UTS Harvard referencing style
(or similar) is required for all referencing.
Reference lists and appendices do not count
towards the word limit. You have to submit this
report via turnitin on UTS online – no print out
is required.
You will also provide feedback to other
students during the tutorial sessions and online
to assist them with their work
For due dates please check the course
outline and for any further information please
check the assignment section on UTS Online.
What are the assessment criteria?
The assignment relates to the following
subject learning objectives:
• Use creative and analytical techniques to
make and justify strategic decisions.
• Apply processes and methods of value
creation, business modeling and strategic
planning.
… as well as to the following program learning
objective:
• Formulate creative and innovative solutions
to complex management issues (2.2)
Your report will be assessed according to the
following criteria.
1. Demonstrates clearly the application of
the Business Model Canvas, Value
Proposition Canvas and possibly other
relevant innovation management tools
and techniques to create and justify a
specific business model. (Business
Knowledge and Concepts, 25%)
2. Successfully applies critical thinking, and
analytical thinking to create elements of a
business model and predict their strategic
implications. (Attitudes and Values, 25%)
3. Video pitch is well prepared, rehearsed
and delivered within time limits.
Appropriate use of media. Report is well
written, laid out and referenced and
communicates clearly (Communication
and interpersonal skills, 25%)
4. Contributes to overall assignment
objective via effective, clear and
substantial feedback in class and online.
(Communication and interpersonal skills,
25%)
Good Luck!