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Entrepreneurship and Management Challenge Project

Module description

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by all United Nations (UN) Member States in 2015, provides a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future. At its heart are the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are an urgent call for action by all countries - developed and developing - in a global partnership. They recognize that ending poverty and other deprivations must go hand-in-hand with strategies that improve health and education, reduce inequality, and spur economic growth – all while tackling climate change and working to preserve our oceans and forests.

As an Engineering graduate going into an increasingly diverse industry, you have the power to bring real change to people’s lives and reduce the impact on the environment. In this module, which will be completed over two terms, you will apply the core knowledge gained throughout your degree so far, as well as develop your previous knowledge of the design process through a creative real-world Project Based Learning (PBL) collaborative technical design project.

The PBL driving question is ‘How can we tackle aspects of the UN Sustainable Development Goals through Social Entrepreneurship?’

Through this project you will research social entrepreneurship and enterprise whilst applying your technical knowledge to develop a product, service, or process. Engineering design is a complex activity, which combines using technical knowledge, and combining it with more creative knowledge and skills whilst addressing a real need.

This module will provide you with an awareness of how engineering design fits within a business. As part of the group design project, you will be encouraged to use the wide range of workshop facilities to make proofs of concept, scale models, or specific component prototypes (using manual or automated machine tools) to improve your understanding of your design, and how to optimise your final design. This module will enhance your 3D modelling skills from Multidisciplinary Challenge Project 1 (ENG1005) and equip you with the challenge of optimising designs in terms of performance, cost and manufacturing whilst balancing a social need.

Module aims - intentions of the module

The module is designed to establish the foundation for advanced engineering design projects. The purpose of this module is to:

• Address aspects of the UN Sustainability Development Goals through a team project focused on social entrepreneurship. The PBL project will build on the core engineering knowledge and skills gained in the first year.
• Establish the principles of the design processes as part of engineering practice working with industry collaborators to ensure relevance and authenticity of the PBL project and assessment to professional engineering.  
• Develop 21st century skills in creativity, collaboration, communication, critical thinking, problem solving, leadership and technology literacy.
• Develop skills in EDI through reflective reports. 
• Build on project research/study skills, conceptual and detail design using 3D modelling and prototyping and report/technical writing.
• Develop new skills in engineering entrepreneurship.
• Steering projects through the Design Thinking design process and creating concepts and working prototypes for your final PBL ‘Public Product’.

Discipline and Module Intended Learning Outcomes:

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 19. Apply knowledge of mathematics and engineering principles to the solution of complex problems (C1)
• 38. Select and critically evaluate technical literature and other sources of information to solve complex problems (M4)
• 41. Design solutions for complex problems that evidence some originality and meet a combination of societal, user, business and customer needs as appropriate (M5)
• 45. Use a risk management process to identify, evaluate and mitigate risks (the effects of uncertainty) associated with a particular project or activity (M9)
• 47. Adopt an inclusive approach to engineering practice and recognise the responsibilities, benefits and importance of supporting equality, diversity and inclusion (M11)
• 49. Select and apply appropriate materials, equipment, engineering technologies and processes, recognising their limitations (M13)

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

Syllabus plan

1. Project introduction

2. Project Launch – product design inspiration

3. Project management tools and techniques

4. 3D modelling

5. Design Thinking workshops

6. Prototyping workshops

7. PBL support sessions

8. Circular economy, optimised performance and sustainable business models

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Details of summative assessment

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Re-assessment notes

Reassessment will be by coursework and/or written exam in the failed or deferred element only. For referred candidates, the module mark will be capped at 40%. For deferred candidates, the module mark will be uncapped. This will be set in the referral/deferral period in August.

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

Basic reading:

• Michael Lewrick; Patrick Link; Larry J. Leifer. The Design Thinking Playbook: Mindful digital transformation of teams, products, services, businesses and ecosystems. ISBN: 9781119467489. 
• Roger L. Martin; Sally R. Osberg; Arianna Huffington. Getting beyond better: how social entrepreneurship works. ISBN: 9781633690684, 9781633690691. 
• Isabell Osann; Lena Mayer; Inga Wiele; Amy Buer. The design thinking quick start guide: A 6-step process for generating and implementing creative solutions. ISBN: 1119679877, 9781119679875. 
• Tom Kelley; Jonathan Littman. The ten faces of innovation: IDEO’s strategies for beating the devil’s advocate & driving creativity throughout your organisation. ISBN: 9781847656650. 
• Thore, S. A. O., & Tarverdyan, R. (2022). Measuring sustainable development goals performance. Elsevier. 
• Edward Elgar Publishing, publisher, Bali Swain, R., & Min, Y. (2023). Interlinkages Between the Sustainable Development Goals (R. Bali Swain & Y. Min, Eds.; First edition.). Edward Elgar Publishing.

Key words search

Entrepreneurship, Sustainable Development Goals, prototyping, communication and collaboration, maker space.