B5687 - PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP M

Learning outcomes

The course focuses on the development of entrepreneurial behaviours in a variety of settings. In particular, it presents the fundamentals of developing an effective business plan, teaching the basic principles of developing plans for the sales, marketing, product or service operations, financials and management of a new venture. It assumes some prior knowledge of the subject area and will equip students with much of the knowledge required to launch and manage a high potential new venture. The course allows students to deepdive in emerging digital technologies and learn how to turn technology into business. The activities are themed around major societal and industrial challenges in the global digital economy: Digital Cities, Digital Finance, Digital Industry, Digital Tech and Digital Wellbeing. Participants learn, e.g., how to develop different business models and are challenged by delivering their ideas.

Course contents

The course focuses on the development of entrepreneurial behaviours in a variety of settings. In particular, it presents the fundamentals of developing an effective business plan, teaching the basic principles of developing plans for the sales, marketing, product or service operations, financials and management of a new venture. It assumes some prior knowledge of the subject area and will equip students with much of the knowledge required to launch and manage a high potential new venture.

Readings/Bibliography

The following textbook is needed for a clear comprehension of the topics presented during the course:

Preparing Effective Business Plans: An entrepreneurial approach. Bruce Barringer, 2014, Pearson New International Edition, 1st Edition, ISBN-13: 978-1-292-03991-6

Alongside this textbook, a series of slides, case studies, problems and exercises will also be presented throughout the course.

Teaching methods

Students are encouraged to attend all classes. The course is designed so to stimulate class interaction and discussion. Most of the insights will emerge during class hours rather than as a result of a simple reading of the required teaching material. A deep understanding of cases and exercises can only be achieved through the class discussion and interaction between students and the instructor.

Some sessions are dedicated to case studies and in-class exercises. Students are invited to read carefully the content of each case/exercise in advance. This will help to better understand the theoretical concepts presented in class and to raise proper questions to successfully solve the case/exercise.

Assessment methods

Assessment will be based on a team coursework (up to 5 students per team).

Each team will be assessed on:
i. A final written business plan of 5,000 words plus exhibits (70% of the coursework)

ii. A 10-minute presentation (max 12 slides), followed by a 7-minute questions and answers (30% of the coursework)

Teaching tools

During the course some slides will be video projected in the classroom. They will be downloadable from the following website https://virtuale.unibo.it/. The material is password protected; both user name and passwords will be communicated to students during the first day of class.

Some case studies, problems and exercises will also be presented throughout the course. Students will be able to download the texts from the same website. Solutions will be posted after the class. The material related to the week class will be posted on the website in advance.

Office hours

See the website of Riccardo Fini

See the website of