DEDAN KIMATHI UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTER SCIENCE

CCS 4205 ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT

Prerequisite: CCS 2100 Software Engineering

Course Lecturer

Name: David Opondo

Email: david.opondo@dkut.ac.ke
Tel: +254 723 519 740

Purpose of the course:

The goal of this course is to equip students with sound knowledge and skills to convert an idea
into a viable business.

Expected Learning outcomes of the course:

At the end of this unit, the students should be able to:
1. Demonstrate sound knowledge and understanding of the processes of taking a product
to the market.
2. Demonstrate the ability to prepare a product development plan and a business plan.
3. Demonstrate a scholarly approach of product development and project management and
evolution and use of the most suitable concepts and technology.
4. Illustrate ability to carry out research into customer and market requirements and their
analysis to translate the requirements into product specification.
5. Apply knowledge of selection of resources, production processes and considerations of
sustainability issues in product development.

Course Content:

1. Introduction
• New product Development
• Reasons for developing new products.
• New Product Development Process.
• Business analysis.

2. Product development
• Product Design
• Product prototyping
• Test Marketing.
• Commercialization.

3. Entrepreneurship
• Business planning;
• Business environment:
• Macro & Micro Environment
 • Key Legal issues
• Ownership
• Tax issues
• Intellectual property Rights
• Governance – Quality of ICT.

4. Critical issues in small business management

• Raising capital and other business resources,
• Cash Flow management;
5. HR Management and Management skills
• Handling Multitasking,
• Evolving small business into a business system,
• Soft skills.
• Branding.
• Marketing of services.

Mode of delivery:
The method of instruction will be lectures, group and individual practical assignments
interactive tutorials, presentations and demonstrations. Lectures: 3 Hours per week.

Instruction materials /equipment:

A computer, Whiteboard, LCD/Overhead Projector, Handouts, Smart board

Course assessment:
During the period of study, assessment will be conducted by CATs (Continuous Assessment
Tests), practical assignments and a final Examination at end of the unit. The composition for
continuous assessment shall be as follows: 10% Test, 20% practical assignments, and final
examination at end of semester 70%.
Core Reading Materials for the Course:
Key text book
Sinclair, R. (2012). Creating an entrepreneurial frame of mind.

Other Reference text books:

1. Dent, A. and Sherr, L. (n.d.). Product design.
2. Rodgers, P. and Milton, A. (2011). Product design. London: Laurence King.
3. Skogen, K. and Sjøvoll, J. (2010). Creativity and innovation. Trondheim: Tapir
Academic Press.

Journals
1. Journal of Product Innovation Management
2. Innovations in Systems and Software Engineering
3. The Journal of Entrepreneurship