Innovation & Value creation wheel
Objectives
For several decades, consultants and key decision makers (KDMs) have been using close arguments and very specific tools to solve complex multifaceted organizational problems. This situation often occurs because there is a lack of practical innovation frameworks, which can incorporate different stakeholders’ perspectives and conciliate divergent arguments in order to provide throughout solutions. This explains why several KDMs and stakeholders, who do not feel to be engaged with or to have ownership of the final solution(s), often do not support the implementation stage.
In the iVCW course, you will learn how to apply the ”VCW–Value Creation Wheel”, an innovation methodology which allows to integrate different tools and perspectives to provide overaching solutions for complex organizational challenges (e.g., challenges about products, services, processes, technologies, market applications, growth, strategy, decision making).
The course will be taught in partnership with different organizations. Since this course uses a problem-based learning approach, students will learn how to apply the VCW–Value Creation Wheel”, an innovation methodology which combines different tools, in order to develop real solutions for a real organizational problem/challenge.
Since students will develop a 100% real project, they will be in direct contact with organizations and will use real data. After agreeing with the key decision maker(s) on which relevant problem/challenge to address, students will develop solution(s) for that problem/challenge and will implement it (them).
General characterization
Code
2485
Credits
7
Responsible teacher
Luís Filipe Lages
Hours
Weekly - Available soon
Total - Available soon
Teaching language
English
Prerequisites
Available soon
Bibliography
Before each session (final schedule will be presented at the beginning of the semester), students should read a set of articles for a much better understanding of key concepts across different fields (e.g., innovation, value creation, problem-solving, strategy, marketing), which will be applied during each specific lesson. Required readings are presented in the syllabus session by session.
Teaching method
There are two classes per week. Each class is of 1h20m. The classes consist of discussions about both the theory and its applications (examples from different fields). Particularly, the first class of every week will be mostly about theory and the second one about practical applications within the projects. At the master’s level you are expected to visit companies, work together with different stakeholders, get involved, participate, question and do exercises inside and outside the class. In order to provide practical advice and help launch students on a successful path, you will be working with top management which have limited time but can provide you deep insights in a very short period. As such, some classes will be outside the classroom and entirely reserved to the development of the coursework.
Evaluation method
INDIVIDUAL ASSESSMENT (50%):
1. *Individual assignments (best 3 out 4 assignments): 30%
2. *Participation and class attendance: 10%
3. *Group Peer Evaluation: 10%
Bonus for individual video: 1 extra point (out of 20)
TEAM ASSESSMENT (50%):
4. *Final Team Presentation in Class: 20%
5. *Final Team Written Case-study Report: 25%
6. Evaluation form received from Key Decision Maker(s) from the organization: 5%
There is no written exam in this course. All the time that you dedicate to study for a traditional exam is dedicated to prepare the assignments.
* In order to pass the course, a grade of 8/20 is required in all these marked (*) components of the evaluation as well as 10/20 in the final grade. Assignments must be delivered by the deadline. Assignments delivered within seven days after the deadline, face a penalty of -40% of the grade. Assignments delivered later than that, will not be accepted.
Subject matter
The iVCW group project
In the iVCW class there will be a group project. The group project is expected to:
• Address a solvable challenging problem of an organization,
• Have a concrete impact (e.g., managerial, public policy, social),
• Be academically credible, supported by appropriate and relevant data,
• Have a key decision maker (KDM) – or several KDMs - who has a real problem and wishes to work as a partner. The KDM needs to be motivated, committed and capable (i.e., have access to 3Ms- Manpower, Minute & Money) to be able to provide you support and implement the solution(s),
This practical component of the course will be supported by the VCW-Value Creation Wheel (www.ValueCreationWheel.com). The VCW is a powerful innovation framework for identifying solutions for a broad range of real problems while integrating tools from different fields.
Programs
Programs where the course is taught: