Module Code: LD6045
Module Title: Design for Innovation
Assessment Overview:
- Task: Develop a comprehensive SME (Small and Medium Enterprise) innovation plan that addresses specific user challenges or opportunities for product/service improvement within a chosen industry.
Assessment Requirements
For this assessment, students are tasked with developing an innovation plan using design thinking frameworks and practical applications of innovation management techniques for SMEs. The goal is to address specific challenges or opportunities for improvement in a chosen industry.
The innovation plan must cover the following areas:
1. Exploration and Ideation (450 words)
- Conduct research to understand the current trends, challenges, and opportunities within the chosen industry.
- Use ideation techniques like brainstorming, mind mapping, or SCAMPER to generate creative solutions to the identified problem or opportunity.
(15% of the total marks)
2. Design Thinking Models (450 words)
- Choose a relevant design thinking model (e.g., Stanford d.school, IDEO) and apply it to guide the innovation process.
- Describe each stage of the model and explain how it contributes to the overall innovation process.
(15% of the total marks)
3. Innovation Process and Techniques (700 words)
- Propose a detailed step-by-step plan to address the identified problem or opportunity.
- Integrate tools such as SWOT analysis, stakeholder mapping, and the value proposition canvas to enhance the innovation process.
(25% of the total marks)
4. Agile Approaches and Design Thinking (600 words)
- Explore how agile methodologies can complement and enhance the design thinking process, particularly for iterative development and rapid adaptation.
(20% of the total marks)
5. Prototyping Development Methods (500 words)
- Select appropriate prototyping methods (e.g., low-fidelity sketches, wireframes, interactive prototypes) to visualize and test your solution.
- Justify your choice and describe how the methods contribute to refining and validating your ideas.
(15% of the total marks)
6. Presentation and Pitching (300 words)
- Develop a compelling presentation to communicate your innovation, including key elements like the problem definition, proposed solution, benefits, and a visual representation of your prototype.
- Emphasize the importance of storytelling and persuasion when pitching your idea to stakeholders.
(10% of the total marks)
Assessment Criteria
The following criteria will be used to grade your assessment:
- Exploration and Ideation (15%): Research on industry trends, ideation techniques, and creative solutions.
- Design Thinking Models (15%): Selection and application of a relevant model, clear discussion of each stage.
- Innovation Process and Techniques (25%): Clear step-by-step innovation plan, integration of SWOT, stakeholder mapping, etc.
- Agile Approaches and Design Thinking (20%): In-depth discussion of agile methodologies in design thinking.
- Prototyping Development Methods (15%): Justification of prototyping methods and their role in refining ideas.
- Presentation and Pitching (10%): Clarity and effectiveness of the presentation, use of storytelling, visual elements.
Submission Notes
- This assignment requires you to explore the innovation process in-depth and apply design thinking to a real-world problem in an SME context.
- Be sure to follow the guidelines closely and meet the word limit requirements for each section.
- Ensure your submission is original and includes appropriate citations for any external sources.
How This Helps Students
This assignment helps students develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills, emphasizing the importance of design thinking in innovation. It prepares students for real-world challenges by requiring them to create actionable, sustainable innovation plans for SMEs.
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