Engineering Entrepreneurship (SEB725)
Assignment 3 – Business Plan
Pre-submission Checklist
? Completion of Task 1: Business Plan
? Completion of Task 2: Presentation
? Team Charter + PowerPoint
? ONE PDF file only
? Submission via CloudDeakin
Due:
Team Assignment
Business Plan & Presentation
Week 11
On or before Friday 5 February 2016
Detailed schedule of presentation to be provided
Via CloudDeakin
Unit Chair: A/Prof. Arun Patil
1.0 Introduction
This 3rd assignment asks you, as a team, to develop, write up, and present, a business plan for a recently established company that is expanding its innovative product range and needs access to venture capital to do so. Please read all instructions and requirements carefully.
2.0 Learning Outcomes
This assignment allows you to demonstrate progress towards achieving the following Learning Outcomes:
ULO3 Develop and present a detailed business plan for new engineering ventures, including; financial, supply chain, development team, marketing and production.
ULO4 Analyse the roles of engineers in creating productive, economic, successful venture in a variety of engineering projects.
ULO5 Demonstrate evidence of enhanced personal knowledge, skills and competencies relevant to the management of engineering entrepreneurship
GLO2 Communication: using oral, written and interpersonal communication to inform, motivate and effect change
GLO4 Critical thinking: evaluating information using critical and analytical thinking and judgment
GLO5 Problem solving: creating solutions to authentic (real world and illdefined) problems
GLO7 Teamwork: working and learning with others from different disciplines and backgrounds
I encourage you to review other Unit and Graduate Learning Outcomes to discover, and include, additional learning outcomes important to you personally, and which will increase the quality of your submission and end-of-trimester final results.
3.0 Weighting
Team Report: Business Plan - 30% of the Unit’s grade
Team Presentation: Business Plan - 10% of the Unit’s grade
4.0 Case Study Task
As a Business Development Team for an Australian company, “AusGear”, which is specialised in design and manufacturing of various gearboxes that uses a highly innovative design and manufacturing process, you have to write up and present an impressive, top quality Business Plan Report to suitably impress the investment community and provide fast access to much needed venture capital within a short period of time.
Your team is focusing on the product “Gear Box” and aiming to expand company business into the Asia-Pacific region and may be further expansion in the wider global market. This however, as your manager explains, requires a substantial injection of capital. Moreover, there is a lot of competition out there but she is confident that the company is on a winner, as it is simultaneously developing low-cost production processes based on the rapid prototyping technique.
Critical at this stage therefore is the development and presentation of a business plan for your product to a group of potential and enthusiastic investors she has lined up.
5.0 Submission Requirements
Task 1:
Your team has to develop and submit, a comprehensive Business Plan Report based on the above scenario. The total length of your team report is to be about 4500 words. You must also attach your ‘Team Charter’ as an Appendix (see p. 7).
Please refer to Assessment Guide or Marking Rubric (end of this document).
Task 2:
Your team has to give a live presentation of your Business Plan (as developed in Task 1) to Company management along with a group of venture capitalists who have expressed an interest in helping your company to expand… So you better make it good!
Distance student teams need to submit power point slides of their “team presentation” along with a narrative/commentary or vice over.
All team members must contribute equally in both tasks.
Please refer to Assessment Guide or Marking Rubric (end of this document).
You must also complete self and peer assessment using Spark+ system which has been already explained you.
Note:
• These assignments demand a professional response in terms of the Report’s professional writing style and the way your team presents the Business Plan to your audience of potential investors. For more information refer to Deakin’s “Writing an Academic Assignment”, available online
• The Assessment Criteria Guidelines: read these for guidance on how this assignment will be marked. See Section 8.0 Report Guidelines; Section 9.0 for Presentation Guidelines
• Word limit is 4500 words – not including the References section. The word count is a guide to encourage you to write succinctly (this means writing in a way in which each word matters) but not at the expense of good, solid research and analysis. The aim, for all report writing, is to be brief, yet fully informative, and must contain all the information needed to understand a situation and take action. It is acceptable to be 10% above or below this word limit. The word limit does not include the References section
• File Format: The submitted report file format must be PDF and include the Report, the PowerPoint presentation and the Team Charter as one file.
• Format: Use a format that makes it easy for your reader to readily read and understand the information. Also, use a basic and common text font such as Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman with at least 11 point font size for body text with single-spaced paragraphs
• Citations and referencing: As in all professional reports, readers will look for the presence of an appropriate number of relevant citations as they reflect the range and depth of your research. Cite these correctly in-text and list them in a Reference Section using an accepted referencing style such as the Harvard or IEEE
• Be professional. Plagiarism and collusion are academic offences. They are forms of cheating, and severe penalties are associated with them, including cancellation of marks for a specific assignment. If you are unsure what constitutes plagiarism, cheating, or collusion then refer to the online Assessment section in the 2015 Handbook
• Want some help? Online and in-person resources and materials are available from the Library and Deakin’s Study Support Services to assist you with assignment writing, referencing skills, and with understanding and avoiding plagiarism
6.0 Submission Deadline
Students are to upload their Assignment Submission on CloudDeakin under the Assignment 3 Dropbox link by Friday 5 February 2016, 5pm (Melbourne Time).
7.0 Extensions
I will consider a genuine request for an extension on its merits, but only when sent to the Unit Chair at least 3 days prior to the submission date and using the form available at the Faculty office

8.0 Assessment Guide – Assignment 2: Team Business Plan Report (30%)
Scoring Criteria Total Points 30
Teamwork (ULO5; GLO7) 7 Score
The structure of the report and the seamless flow of its in-depth content demonstrates that all team members have a holistic appreciation of the whole topic, not just their own individual aspect/s
The division of tasks and the deliverables of individual team members as recorded in the Team Charter demonstrate both a fair division of labour and is evident in the report
The report, in regards to both content and presentation of information, demonstrates a consistent commitment by all team members to a professional level of collaboration and professional quality
Organization (ULO 2; GLO 2) 4 Score
Overall, the written report is clear, well organized and while appropriately scoped shows a comprehensive and accurate understanding of the topic and its relevant research methodology.
Introduction is attention-getting. It establishes a clear framework for the report by laying out the problem and its relevance, identifying key aspects of the topic, including its outcomes
Presents information in effective, logical order. Line of reasoning is interesting and easy to follow.
Uses relevant subheadings throughout enabling readers to move easily through the text and good structure of paragraphs and transitions enhances comprehension and readability
Conclusion succinctly summarizes the outcomes or research results based on the literature and/or actual research, including its strengths and any limitations and offers suggestions for future research or action
Knowledge/Research Base (ULO 3, ULO 4; GLO 5) 8 Score
Provides good, relevant background information on the topic. Defines technical terms and acronyms clearly, and demonstrates a clear understanding of the topic
The methods section provides essential information about the topic and data collection procedures, and in addition might represent a novel and insightful approach to researching the topic
The research output (literature review and/or primary research) demonstrates a robust knowledge of the field that is accurate and current , and has a sharp distinct focus that enhances the impact of the report
Explores the topic in detail and in depth, information is focused, rigorous, and accurate, makes scientifically valid arguments supported by reliable evidence (sources)
Critical Thinking (ULO 5; GLO 4) 7 Score
Uses specific inductive or deductive reasoning to make inferences regarding premises; addresses implications and consequences; identifies facts and relevant information correctly.
Thoroughly identifies and addresses key aspects of the problem and insightfully uses facts and relevant evidence from analysis to support and defend potentially valid solutions
Insightfully interprets information; identifies obvious as well as hidden assumptions, establishes credibility of sources on points other than authority alone
Insightfully relates concepts and ideas from multiple sources; uses new information to enhance chosen solution; recognizes missing information; correctly identifies potential effects of new information.
Identifies strengths and weaknesses in own thinking: recognizes personal assumptions, values and perspectives, compares to others’, and evaluates them in the context of alternate points of view
Written Presentation (ULO2; GLO 2) 4 Score
Compelling evidence from reliable and authoritative sources is given to support claims and are correctly cited in an accepted citation/referencing style.
Quotations are well chosen, correctly cited and effectively framed by the text and explained as needed.
Effective choice of illustrations (graphs, tables, images, etc.) that truly enhance understanding of the topic
Vocabulary and tone are consistently precise, accurate, consistently professional and appropriate for an academic research paper. Sentences are well-phrased and flow smoothly from one to another.
The writing is free or almost free of errors and word length is within the range specified

9.0 Assessment Guide – Assignment 3: Team Presentation (10%)
Scoring Criteria Total Points 10
Teamwork (ULO5; GLO7) 3
Presenters participate equally and demonstrate a supportive collegiate approach e.g. hel ping each other
Presenters have a holistic appreciation of the topic, not just their own aspect/s
The presentation and the seamless flow of its in-depth content demonstrates effective c ollaboration
Knowledge/Research Base (ULO 3, ULO 4, ULO 5; GLO 5) 3 Score
There is sufficient background information on the topic
The presenters demonstrate a clear and in-depth understanding of the topic
The information given demonstrates a thorough and up-to-date research-based knowled ge of the topic
Presentation Skills (ULO 2; GLO 2) 4 Score
Presenters speak to the entire audience and communicate professionally both verbally and non-verbally
The ideas are presented in a logical, orderly and clear manner that maintains the interest of the audience
The overheads and handouts appropriate and helpful to the audience
The presenters are positive and responsive to audience questions
The presentation cites a sufficient number of appropriate sources to enhance its credibility
Our Team Charter for Assignment 3
This Charter defines the purpose of the team, how we will work together and what the expected outcomes are. This is our negotiated and approved -roadmap- that we and our sponsors create at the beginning of our project to ensure all of us are clear about where we’re going, how we will get there, and to give us direction when times get tough. [Available on CloudDeakin in MS Word format]
TEAM NAME:
Member 1: Member 3:
Member 2: Member 4:
Mission Our mission is to work together to:
Outcomes Our expected outcomes are:
Roles My individual roles and responsibilities are:
First name
First name
First name
First name
Operations Our expectations of how we work
For the duration of the project the team will me et: insert agreed upon location, day, and time of meetings
At each meeting each member is expected to: Circulate relevant information to all team members 24 hrs prior to each meeting to enable informed discussion, and, Present a short status report for the allocated project task/s
If unable to atten d members will: Notify the team leader and someone else designated to report on progress and communicate further expectations.
Meeting agendas and progress reports will be: prepared and emailed by insert first name of designated person
Negotiation If conflict arises our procedure, with the approval of our sponsor, is to:
In the first instance, work it out among ourselves. If unsuccessful, to approach our sponsor who is responsible for working with us to resolve the problem
Approval I hereby sign off on the Charter, to its principles, roles and responsibilities
First name First name
First name First name