DSMBA-6960-1: Independent Study
Spring 2024
- Subject: Graduate Design Strategy
- Type: Research
- Delivery Mode: In-Person
- Level: Graduate
- Course Dates: January 16, 2024 — May 05, 2024
- Meetings: None listed
- Instructor: Justin Lokitz
- Units: 1.0
- Enrolled: 1/1 Closed
Justin Lokitz Profile Photo
Justin Lokitz
Chair, Graduate Design Strategy Program
Assistant Professor Non-Tenure, Graduate Design Strategy Program
Description:
Independent Study SyllabusDSMBA-6960 (3 Credits)
Spring 2024
Student: Kirsten Collins
Advisor: Justin Lokitz
01 :: The Project
This is the syllabus for Kirsten Collins’s (she/her) independent study coursewith Justin Lokitz (he/him) to address Advanced Applied Business Model Design, a topic not offered in the current schedule.Through this course of study, Kirsten will explore applications of advanced business models and organizational design strategies and frameworks. Research, workshop facilitation, and design work will be conducted using a client as a case study: Misty Reich, founder of 35 Thousand. The goal of this project is to build on fundamental business model design principles learned in Business Models & Marketing Strategy, expand a toolkit of frameworks and methods for business model design, and gain more opportunities to apply classroom learning to business challenges in real-time.
02 :: Structure
Kirsten and Justin will meet weekly via zoom on Wednesdays(?).
This study course will run from Thursday, January 18, 2024, to Thursday, May 1, 2024.Documentation and presentations will be generated through Google Drive: Docs, Sheets, and Slides.Project mapping and collaboration will ship through Mural, a digital whiteboard platform.03 :: Timeline
R1 → R2: Establish BaselineThrough client meetings and additional desk research, map the current business model for 35 Thousand. Share in a format that equips the client to speak to the business model comfortably with stakeholders.Deliverable: current state business model & value propositionR2 → R3: Ideation about the FutureDesign and facilitate workshops for the founder and larger team to identify potential future states, given resources, expertise, and company values. Deliverable: documentation and analysis of team workshop outcomesR3 → R4: Prototype and IterateDesign and run prototypes to test assumptions around potential future states, iterating future states along the way.Deliverable: prototype documentation and resultsR4 → R5: RoadmappingDevelop an action plan for how 35 Thousand can move from current state to future states, identifying key variables and choice points along the way.Deliverable: SlideDoc with complete project deliverables and roadmaps04 :: Grading Criteria
Attendance & Participation: 10% of grade, 100 points
The student is on time and prepared for all meetings with the advisor. Communication about any known or emergency absences should be as early as possible.Current State Business Model & Value Proposition: 15% of grade, 150 pointsThorough, clear presentation of the current state delivered in a way client can easily understand and use.Documentation and Analysis of Team Workshop Outcomes: 40% of grade, 400 pointsStudent designs, prepares, and delivers workshops resulting in creative thinking and problem-solving by the client team. Documentation is delivered in a format that the client can easily understand and use.Prototype Documentation and Results: 15% of grade, 150 pointsIn collaboration with client, student designs prototypes to test potential future business models, documenting the results and making recommendations.Final SlideDoc with Roadmaps: 20% of grade, 200 pointsStudent builds out roadmaps for top future scenarios, and creates a presentation and takeaway that client can easily understand and implement.Grading Scale
Course grades will be assessed based on a standard letter system with plus and minus grades being used.A = outstanding achievement -- significantly exceeds standardsB = commendable achievement -- exceeds standardsC = acceptable achievement -- meets standardsD = marginal achievement -- below standardsF = failingPre-Requisites and Co-Requisites:
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