Module: New Business Planning

Module Specifications.

Current Academic Year 2024 - 2025

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Date posted: September 2024

Module Title	New Business Planning
Module Code	EF328 (ITS) / ENI1003 (Banner)
Faculty	DCU Business School	School	DCU Business School
Module Co-ordinator	Catherine Faherty
Module Teachers	Colm O'Gorman, Eric Clinton, Henrique Machado Barros, Peter Robbins
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5
Pre-requisite	Not Available
Co-requisite	Not Available
Compatibles	Not Available
Incompatibles	Not Available

None
Written report assignment covering all learning outcomes.

Description

This module introduces students to the new venture creation process. Students will form business teams and work on assignments pertaining to 1) problem solving and opportunity recognition, 2) feasibility analysis and 3) business planning. In doing so, students will develop their creativity, leadership, planning and team management skills during the module. The module will necessitate elements of primary and secondary research collection and analysis, as well as aspects pertaining to new product development, product/service development, strategy, technology, legal issues, marketing, finance and management.

Learning Outcomes

1. Summarise the nature, origins and stakeholder involvement in the creation of new ventures
2. Identify and investigate the viability of a new business venture opportunity
3. Obtain and analyse primary and secondary market research for a new business venture opportunity.
4. Assess the commercial feasibility of a new business venture.
5. Develop and present a comprehensive business plan for a new venture.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full-time hours per semester
Lecture	25	Lectures
Assignment Completion	15	Business opportunity identification
Assignment Completion	55	Feasibility study
Assignment Completion	30	Business Plan Presentation
Total Workload: 125

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Learning Activities
The majority of classroom content is lectures that outline the theory and practice of entrepreneurship. During the module students will work on identifying and assessing a business opportunity, and preparing a pitch and business plan for a specific business opportunity.

Entrepreneurs and New Venture Success
This topic explores entrepreneurs, the nature of the new venture creation process and the determinants of new venture performance.

New Business Opportunities
Examines the sources of business opportunities; and explores processes for identifying new business opportunities. Students will identify business opportunities.

Feasibility Study and Market Assessment
Explores what factors to consider in assessing the feasibility of a new business idea. How to carry out both primary and secondary market research and analysis.

New Business Planning
Overview of the role and structure of a business plan.

Legal and operational issues
Management, legal and operational requirements in starting a new business. Intellectual property; patents, trademarks and copyright protection.

Financing a New Business
Examines the financial requirements of a new enterprise; the possible sources of finance; and how to prepare financial projections (costing and pricing, cashflow, manufacturing accounts, profit and loss account, balance sheet and break-even analysis).

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	100%	Examination Weight	0%

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Course Work Breakdown
Report(s)	Identification of a business opportunity - Opportunity Recognition Proposal	20%	Week 4
Report(s)	Feasibility Study	50%	Week 9
Report(s)	Business Plan Presentation	30%	Week 12

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories: Resit category 1: A resit is available for both* components of the module. Resit category 2: No resit is available for a 100% continuous assessment module. Resit category 3: No resit is available for the continuous assessment component where there is a continuous assessment and examination element.
* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a Continuous Assessment/Examination split; where the module is 100% continuous assessment, there will also be a resit of the assessment
This module is category 1

Indicative Reading List

O'Gorman, C and J. Cunningham: 2007, Enterprise in Action: An Introduction to Entrepreneurship in an Irish Context, 3rd., Oak Tree Press, Dublin,
Burns, Paul: 2007, Entrepreneurship and Small Business, 2nd Ed, Palgrave,

Other Resources

27994, Website, 0, Government Resource for New Businesses, www.basis.ie, 27995, Website, 0, Enterprise Ireland, www.enterprise-ireland.com, 27996, Website, 0, Commercial Website, www.startingabusinessinireland.com, 27997, Website, 0, Company Registration Office Ireland, http://www.cro.ie/, 27998, Website, 0, Irish Government support for business start-ups in Ireland, http://www.entemp.ie/enterprise/smes/syob.htm, 27999, Website, 0, Revenue, Ireland, http://www.revenue.ie/en/business/index.html,