Course Overview / Objectives
This course will challenge you to apply the skills you learn in the Information systems and/or operations management curriculum in real world projects sponsored by clients. A select few among your cohort will get the opportunity to participate in this course, based on your background, skills and your prior course work.
By the end of this course, you should be able to:
1. WORK IN A TEAM
You will learn and apply strategies to build and maintain a high-performing team.
2. SOLVE A PROBLEM
You will learn a methodology and build a toolbox for solving complex problems to help you successfully solve the challenge facing the client organization. You will apply problem-solving and analytical skills from throughout the Information systems and/or operations management curriculum to issues identified in the practicum experience with local companies through consultation with faculty.
3. SELL YOUR SOLUTION
You will learn to effectively manage a client relationship and present your recommendations to your client in a compelling way.
Project Deliverables
To assist you in your project, there will be a series of deliverables that you will be required to turn in during the course of the semester including:
Team Charter (5%)
Client Fact Pack (5%)
Engagement Agreement (5%)
Issue tree (5%)
Project Plan (5%)
Midpoint Presentation (10%)
Executive Summary/Analysis (10%)
Final presentation (20%)
Course Schedule
MODULE 1 – LEARN THE BUSINESS
Session 1: Class Kickoff and Understanding Organizations
Objectives:
1. Set expectations for the semester
2. Introduce problem solving methodology
3. Client introductions
4. Learn framework to think about organizations in different ways (i.e. rational, natural, open system)
Assignments:
Watch: Session 2 videos from Compass
Submit: Project preferences before noon on Friday
Read: Haas, M. & Mortensen, M. 2016. The Secrets of Great Teamwork. Harvard Business Review, 94(6): 70-76.
Session 2: Creating a Successful Team and Building Relationships
Objectives:
1. Receive project and team assignments
2. Set expectations and norms for your team
3. Learn how to make a good first impression with your client
4. Clarify the scope of your project
Assignments:
Watch: Session 3 videos from Compass
Submit: Team Charter
Submit: Client Fact Pack
Sign: Client NDA
Send: Team bios to client
Schedule: Initial client call
MODULE 2 – FRAME THE PROBLEM
Session 3: Discovering, Defining and Breaking Down the Problem
Objectives:
1. Learn how to define the problem, differentiate symptoms vs. root causes, and break down the problem using an issue tree
Assignments:
Watch: Session 4 videos from Compass
Submit: Engagement Agreement
Complete: Issue tree
Begin: Project Plan
Session 4: Issue Tree Presentation and Building a Project Plan
Objectives:
1. Teams will present their issue trees and get feedback from professors and peers
2. Create a project plan based on your issue tree
Assignments:
Watch: Session 5 videos from Compass
Edit and Submit: Issue tree
Submit: Initial Project Plan
MODULE 3 – COLLECT AND ANALYZE THE DATA
Session 5: Research
Objectives:
1. Learn about different types of research
2. Assess your own team’s effectiveness and how to improve
Assignments:
Schedule: Initial meeting with librarian
Submit: Reflection Essay #1
Submit: Updated Project Plan #1
Session 6: In-class work time
Objectives:
1. Work in groups to collect data and move forward with your projects
Assignments:
Watch: Session 7 videos from Compass
Submit: Updated Project Plan #2
Session 7: Identifying Insights from Data and Creating a Storyboard
Objectives:
1. Teams discuss what data they have collected so far and what it means
2. Learn to present your ideas in a compelling way
Assignments:
Watch: Session 8 videos from Compass
Schedule: Midpoint Presentation with Client
Schedule: Dry Run Presentation with Senior Manager
Begin: Midpoint Presentation
Submit: Updated Project Plan #3
Session 8: In-Class Presentations
Objectives:
1. Practice mid-point presentation and get feedback from peers
Assignments:
Watch: Session 9 videos from Compass
Deliver: Midpoint Presentation to Client
Submit: Peer Evaluation
Submit: Updated Project Plan #4
NO CLASS – SPRING BREAK
Session 9: Working with Conflict and Managing Scope Change
Objectives:
1. Review results of peer feedback
2. Learn how to give and receive constructive feedback
3. Know how to deal with any changes in expectations from your client
Assignments:
Submit: Updated Project Plan #5
Session 10: In-class work time
Objectives:
1. Work in groups to collect data and move forward with your projects
Assignments:
Watch: Session 11 videos from Compass
Submit: Reflection Essay #2
Submit: Updated Project Plan #6
MODULE 4 – DEVELOP AND DELIVER THE SOLUTION
Session 11: Creating Lasting Change
Objectives
1. Understand models of organizational change and how you can use them to help create meaningful change for your client
Assignments:
Submit: Updated Project Plan #7
Session 12: In-class work time
Objectives:
1. Work in groups to collect data and move forward with your projects
Assignments:
Watch: Session 13 videos from Compass
Submit: Updated Project Plan #8
Session 13: Compelling Presentations
Objectives:
1. Learn to present information in a professional and compelling manner
Assignments:
Watch: Session 14 videos from Compass
Submit: Updated Project Plan #9
Session 14: In-Class Presentations and Course Wrap up
Objectives:
1. Practice final presentation and get feedback from professors and peers
2. Discuss key learnings from the semester.
3. Make final preparations for client presentation
Assignments:
Submit: Updated Project Plan #10
Schedule: Final Presentation with Client
Schedule: Dry Run Final Presentation with Senior Manager
NO CLASS ON 5/7/2020 – READING DAY
Assignments:
Deliver: Final Presentation to Client
Submit: Final Deliverables (presentation, write up)
Submit: Final Peer Evaluation
Submit: Reflection Essay #3 (after final presentation)