ENT-435 CLC: Innovation Ideation and Implementation–Initial Meeting
Details:
This is a CLC assignment.
During this course you will work within a CLC to create an innovative idea for a new product, service, or business. Each member of the team will be responsible for contributing an innovative idea to the team for consideration. The team will then come to a consensus on both the innovation it will pursue and the best process for implementing the innovation. The project will be completed in phases throughout the course and end with a team presentation that recommends exactly how the innovation should be implemented.
To begin preparing, meet with your instructor-assigned team to outline the approach you will take to your Module 3, 6 and 7 assignments. During this first meeting you may want to do the following:
Introduce yourself to each other.
Identify the capabilities you bring to the team.
Identify the areas you want to work on for these projects.
Identify areas on which you would like feedback from your peers based on your strengths and weaknesses.
Develop a project plan for the Module 3, 6 and 7 assignments. Specific instructions for these assignments are found in the individual topics.
There is no deliverable due for this meeting. However, the meeting should be held and documented in your assigned CLC Forum.
ENT-435 Topic 2 The Importance of Innovation Architecture
Details:
In Innovation as Usual: How to Help Your People Bring Great Ideas to Life (2013), Miller and Wedell-Wedellsborg discuss the importance of establishing systems within organizations that promote not only the creativity that results in innovation, but also make it possible for employees to bring innovative ideas to fruition. Miller and Wedell-Wedellsborg argue that a leader’s primary job “is not to innovate; it is to become an innovation architect, creating a work environment that helps . . . people engage in the key innovation behaviors as part of their daily work” (p. 4). Such a work environment must be reinforced by innovation architecture—the structures within an organization that support an innovation, from the brainstorming phase to final realization. The more well developed the architecture and the simpler the processes involved, the more likely employees are to be innovators.
For this assignment, you will research the innovation architecture of at least three companies that are well-known for successfully supporting a culture of innovation. Write a 1,500-word paper that addresses the following:
What particular elements of each organization’s culture, processes, and management systems and styles work well to support innovation?
Why do you think these organizations have been able to capitalize on innovation and intrapreneurship while others have not?
Based on what you have learned, what processes and systems might actually stifle innovation and intrapreneurship?
Imagine yourself as an innovation architect. What structures or processes would you put in place to foster a culture of innovation within your own organization?
Include in-text citations to at least four reputable secondary sources (such as trade journals, academic journals, and professional or industry websites) in your paper.
Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. An abstract is not required.
This assignment uses a grading rubric. Instructors will be using the rubric to grade the assignment; therefore, students should review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the assignment criteria and expectations for successful completion of the assignment.
You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. Refer to the directions in the Student Success Center. Only Word documents can be submitted to LopesWrite.
Reference
Miller, P., & Wedell-Wedellsborg, T. (2013). Innovation as usual: How to help your people bring great ideas to life. Boston: Harvard Business Review Press.
ENT-435 Topic 3 Assignment CLC: Phase 1-Proposing, Evaluating, and Selecting an Innovation
Details:
This is a CLC assignment.
During Phase 1, each individual will submit their own idea for an innovation along with a model they find useful for evaluating its merits. Each team member is responsible for completing research on various models. While there are several models in circulation for evaluating innovations, such as The Lean StartUp Plan, NOMMAR, SNIFF, and the linear and mental models of innovation, innovators should not feel constrained by any particular model. Feel free to borrow elements from multiple models to develop one that would work best to most effectively evaluate your own innovation.
Teams will then review all of the submissions and choose the most promising idea to pursue. The idea should be selected by application of one of the Assessment models submitted by team members. You will then write a report of 1,500-2,500 words that describes the team’s selection process and identifies the final choice. The report must contain the following components:
A one- or two-paragraph summary of each team member’s idea, a description of the model used to evaluate the idea, and the results of the Assessment. Specifically, the Assessment should identify the merits, drawbacks, and challenges associated with the idea.
Identification of the selected idea for the project accompanied by a description of the model used to evaluate the idea. Include the results of the Assessment, which will serve as the justification for the team’s selection. Preliminarily forecast the most significant challenges that could impede the development of the selected idea.
A project plan that summarizes the roles or tasks assigned to each team member that must be accomplished to complete Phase 2 of the project due in Module 6.
In-text citations from at least five reputable secondary sources. Each person on the team must contribute an article from the research that was completed on innovation implementation/Assessment models.
Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. An abstract is not required.
You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. Refer to the directions in the Student Success Center. Only Word documents can be submitted to LopesWrite.
ENT-435 Topic 4 Assignment Interview and Reflection Assignment
Details:
For this assignment, you will continue to reflect on what it takes to create “innovation architecture” to support a culture of innovation within organizations. As part of the assignment, you will conduct an interview with a local business owner or leader or member of a management team to learn more about the techniques organizations utilize (or fail to utilize) to encourage and support the implementation of innovations.
Select your interview candidate and contact the person to set up an appointment. Try to schedule your interview well in advance of the assignment’s due date. You may conduct your interview in person or via phone. You should present the consent letter attached in the Module materials to the person you intend to interview.
Prepare a list of at least 5-7 questions for your interview. Your questions should focus on specific processes within organizations for encouraging and implementing innovations and challenges organizations face in when trying to innovate.
After you complete the interview, write a 1,000-word reflection on what you learned in the interview and how your understanding of the importance of effective innovation architecture has developed or changed. Address the following in your response:
What are the most valuable things you learned about effective innovation architecture?
Identify some of the significant challenges you believe you might face when it comes to suggesting and seeing innovations through in the organizations in which you are or may be involved?
How might you apply what you learned in your interview and about innovation architecture in general to help foster a culture of innovation within your own organization?
Cite two additional reputable secondary sources on innovation architecture or on creating a culture of innovation in your reflection.
Provide an interview summary at the end of your reflection that includes the following information:
The name of the person you interviewed and number of years he/she has been a manager.
The name of the company at which he/she is currently employed.
How long the person has been a manager at the current company.
Date of the interview and whether it took place in person or via phone.
Contact information for the person you interviewed.
The list of your interview questions.
Prepare this assignment according to the APA guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. An abstract is/is not required.
You are not required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite, unless otherwise directed by your instructor. If so directed, refer to the Student Success Center for directions. Only Word documents can be submitted to LopesWrite.
ENT 435 Topic 6 Assignment CLC: Phase 2-Developing the Implementation Plan
Details:
This is a CLC assignment.
In Phase 2, your team will work together to develop a detailed description and implementation plan for the innovation you selected to pursue in Module 3. Each team member must research and describe a product development or management process, methodology, or model that could be utilized to implement the innovation. The group should select and use one of these models for developing its own implementation plan.
For this assignment, write a paper of 2,000-3,000 words that addresses the following:
Finalize the name and include a one- or two-sentence description of the innovation.
Describe the value the new product or service will provide to customers and describe the need it will meet.
Utilizing the model selected by the team, create the detailed implementation plan for the innovation. Make sure the plan accounts for contingencies/risks in the implementation process and includes realistic timeframe and budgeting considerations.
Use graphics such as organizational charts, process maps, and/or budget tables as appropriate to increase the readability and professional appeal of the plan.
Include in-text citations from at least six secondary sources. Each person on the team must contribute an article from the research that was completed on product development or management processes, methodologies, and/or models.
Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. An abstract is not required.
You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. Refer to the directions in the Student Success Center. Only Word documents can be submitted to LopesWrite.
ENT 435 Topic 7 Assignment CLC: Phase 3-Presenting the Plan
Details:
This is a CLC assignment.
In Phase 3, your team will prepare a presentation to recommend your implementation plan to the appropriate audience for your innovation (e.g., venture capitalists, your CEO, your board of directors, etc.). Your goal is to persuade the audience to back your plan. Prepare 10-15 professionally developed presentation slides that accomplish the following:
Describe the innovation and its value to both customers and the organization/entity to which you are pitching your idea.
Review the implementation plan in significant enough depth to demonstrate your thorough understanding of the implementation process.
Include a cost/benefit analysis appropriate for your particular audience.
Ensure your slides are visually appealing and conform to conventions of effective slide design. Include a reference slide with a minimum of three secondary resources utilized in the development of your presentation.
While APA style is not required for the body of this assignment,
solid academic writing is expected, and documentation of sources should be
presented using APA formatting guidelines, which can be found in the APA Style
Guide, located in the Student Success Center.
You are not required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite, unless otherwise directed by your instructor. If so directed, refer to the Student Success Center for directions. Only Word documents can be submitted to LopesWrite.
ENT 435 Topic 7 Assignment Reflection on the Team Project
Details:
Write a 500-750-word reflection on your team project that addresses the following:
Assess the overall effectiveness of your team. How did the team’s dynamics contribute to both the success and the challenges of creating an implementation plan for your innovation?
Assess the overall effectiveness of the model your team selected to both choose and implement your innovation. What were its strengths and weaknesses?
What would you have done differently if you were working on the project independently? What other potential strategies might be more effective for bringing this particular innovation to fruition in your opinion?
Overall, do you think teams contribute to or hinder innovative thinking and processes? Why?
APA format is not required, but solid academic writing is expected.
You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. Refer to the directions in the Student Success Center. Only Word documents can be submitted to LopesWrite.
ENT 435 Topic 8 Create an Innovation (Benchmark Assignment)
Details:
Evaluate the internal processes or strategies within an organization in which you are involved, such as your workplace, school, church, or community group, in order to identify a problem that provides an opportunity for innovation. Then, determine an innovative solution for addressing that problem. Examples of potential solutions are entering a new market, implementing a new practice or process, or even changing management structures. The ultimate goal of your solution should be to increase the diffusion of innovation within the organization and contribute to a culture that appreciates innovation as a key to competitive advantage and organizational success.
Though your final paper will not be due until the end of the course, you should identify your problem and generate potential solutions early on. Begin drafting your implementation plan in stages as you work through the course topics. As with your CLC project, you should research and select a model for evaluating both the feasibility of your idea and the implementation plan.
Describe the problem your innovation targets. What is the scope of the problem and which stakeholders, both within the organization and without, does it impact?
Describe your innovation and explain how it addresses the problem. How will it meet the needs of the organization and all stakeholders involved?
How does the innovation contribute to the organization’s competitive advantage?
Develop an implementation plan for effectively diffusing the innovation within the organization. Make sure the plan addresses potential resistance and obstacles, including people and processes.
Identify an appropriate method that could be used for measuring the impact of the innovation on the organization. Explain why you think this is a relevant measure.
Finally, assume your innovation is adopted by the organization. Make recommendations for additional improvements within in this organization (in processes, practices, structures, etc.) that could create and sustain momentum for innovation.
Include at least eight in-text citations from at least five secondary resources from your research.
Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. An abstract is not required.
——–
Initial Meeting for ENT-435 CLC: Innovation Ideation and Implementation
Initial Meeting for ENT-435 CLC: Innovation Ideation and Implementation
Details:
This is a CLC project.
You will work in a CLC to develop a creative idea for a new product, service, or business during this course. Each team member will be responsible for submitting an innovative concept for consideration by the rest of the team. The team will then reach an agreement on the idea it will pursue as well as the best process for putting the invention into action. Throughout the course, the project will be completed in stages, culminating in a team presentation that advises how the innovation should be implemented.
To get started, meet with your instructor-assigned team to plan out how you’ll approach your Module.
