MGMT09034 2023 Agile Business Solutions

Evaluate a business problem in the context of the existing business environment. 

Formulate evidence based solutions to business problems.  

Clearly communicate a business solution and its justification.  

Reflect on the process of problem solving and communication 

Students will have a weekly one hour class online.  During the semester, students will attend a series of workshops online.  At the workshop, a business manager and/or owner from industry will give a guest lecture regarding their business and industry including the current issues and trends facing them.  Following the presentation, the students will be tasked with solving the problem which the business manager and/or owner are currently facing or have faced in the past.  Students will work together during and post the workshop to develop solutions for the business problem and will present them during the assessment in week 11. Case studies may be used in the event of failure to secure an external participant.  

Students will reflect on the business problem in the context of the current business environment and formulate suggested solutions to the business problems being presented.  This problem based learning will encourage the students to consider their existing knowledge but also to find innovative solutions.  

The interactive nature of the workshops will ensure there is learning from the industry and academic perspective, as well as significant peer-to-peer learning between the students.  A UDL approach will be embedded in the delivery of the module.

Primarily the role of the lecturer is one of facilitation rather than instruction during the workshops. 

Following each workshop, the students will submit a solution to the business problem with their justification as to why they are recommending this solution.  Students will be encouraged to determine the most appropriate method through which to present their business solutions. 

These solutions will be assessed on the basis of the extent to which the learner demonstrates an understanding of the initial business problem, the current business environment and the likelihood of success of their solution based on existing literature and best practice.  

Students will complete a reflective diary during the semester which will be submitted in the final week.  

Repeat requirements will be determined when the overall learning profile of the student is considered. 

The repeat requirement will be recorded at the relevant Progression & Award board. 

As this module is intended to reflect the issue de jour in the business environment, the indicative syllabus will be guided by the national and international business environment at the time of delivery.  

 Three main themes which will be embedded in the module are envisaged to be:

1. Creating Culture
2. Sustainability
3. Environmental, social and governance (ESG)

Some of the issues that may be discussed within these themes may include the items below, but exact content will be guided by the issues of relevance at the time of delivery.

Creating culture - LO 1, 2 , 3, 4

• Change management
• How culture impacts the organisation
• Managing people through change
• Developing a digital/agile culture

Sustainability - LO 1, 2 , 3, 4 

• UN Sustainable Development Goals
• Community Engagement
• Sustainable business
• The role of digital technology in sustainability

Environmental, social and governance (ESG) - LO 1, 2 , 3, 4 

• Defining success beyond profit and sales
• Triple bottom line (social, environmental, economic)
• Identifying material risk and growth opportunities
• Stakeholder centric approach to business
• The influence of technology on ESG