Innovation: From Plan to Product

Business models are regarded as a form of innovation and not merely just a vehicle for commercialization. In this course, students will learn about multiple business model innovation avenues and metrics for assessing on-going market fit and sustainability.

This course introduces an evidence-based approach to innovation management with the aim of providing students with the capability to understand the strategic value of information and the tools and techniques that can be used to analyze and use that information to improve decision-making. Tools include: customer discovery, prototyping, financial modeling, business plans and forecasts.

Students will learn how to apply the most effective tools in developing sustainable business models by exploiting viable, validated opportunities in rapidly changing environments where traditional strategic management approaches are less effective.

Week 1: Why do innovations fail?
Analyze the factors that lead to the failure of innovation

Week 2: Business models and innovation
Explain and apply the role of the business model in capturing value from innovation

Week 3: Value chains and Industry Networks
Introduce value chains and their use for innovation including within industry networks and multi-business projects

Week 4: Designing and testing innovation options
Identify how design thinking can help innovation, including technologies that can be used during the designing and testing of innovation concepts

Week 5: Managing for now and the future
Describe how portfolio approaches can be used to scale up innovation

Week 6: Introduction to valuing innovation
Introduce valuation, discounted and dynamic cash flow modeling and the relationship between financial tools and innovation

Week 7: Managing implementation projects
Outline project management tools for use in innovation projects including stage gate, network and knowledge management

Week 8: Structured problem solving for planning
Demonstrate competence in adapting and applying the strategic and operational managerial frameworks and tools necessary for innovation

Week 9: Business plans
Identify the value of innovation business plans

Week 10: Managing uncertainty and risk in innovation
Explain how organizations respond to shifting workplace dynamics, customer expectations or technological advances