Module Code: EEEE3100 Module Name: Professional Studies

Coursework Requirements 2022/23

Formative Feedback Submission – Business Plan Outline

This assignment is designed to ensure that groups get started on their coursework early and decide on the
new product that will form the basis on their business plan.

The “product” can be a physical product or software.

It is an important opportunity to receive early feedback on the idea.

Length: 250 words – this will be enforced within Moodle. Groups will have to submit their Business Plan
Outline via a Moodle text box within the assignment.

You will not receive a grade for this assignment.

Groups will receive feedback on the points above to help develop their business plan.

Within your Written Business Plan coursework, you should address the assessment criteria of “Reflection on
feedback from Business Plan Outline” with how you improved your business plan based upon this feedback.
This activity is 10% of the grade for the Written Business Plan.

Submission date: Week 23. 3pm 21/02/23

In the 250 words you should address the following:

• What is the product?

• What problem does it solve?
• What are the capabilities of the product?
• What is unique about the product?
• Why would customers buy this product over others on the market?
• Who are your target consumers for the product?
• What is the new product called? Is this name appropriate and available?
These answers can be qualitative or quantitative.
Module Code: EEEE3100 Module Name: Professional Studies

Coursework – Written Business Plan

A business plan describes and sets out the value of a new idea for a product. In your groups you will generate
an idea for a product and submit a business plan that could be ‘pitched’ to potential investors. You can
assume that the technical understanding is equivalent to a third year electrical and electronic engineering
student.

You must include these headings in your coursework:

• Summary
• Product purpose
• Product functionality
• Competitor analysis
• IP
• 5-year development plan
• Risk mitigation
• Reflection on Business Plan Outline
• Reflection on productive teams

For details of what should be included in these sections, look at the assessment rubric.

Length: Maximum 12 pages AND 4000 words (excluding title page and references).
Submissions should include images, figures, illustrations, tables, photographs etc. Text must be font size 11.

Module assessment: 50%

Submission date: Week 28: 3pm 30/03/23

Assessment Criteria: See rubric. All criteria are equally weighted

Module Code: EEEE3100 Module Name: Professional Studies

EEEE3100 Professional Studies – Written Business Plan – Marking Rubric

Category Very Poor Poor Adequate Good Very Good Excellent Outstanding
Section is missing Summary is missing the A summary of the Business A concise summary of the A very good and concise A very good and concise + Section is suitable for
majority of key information Plan is presented but it is too Business Plan is presented summary of the Business summary of the Business Plan is presentation to investors as
long (more than 2 paragraphs) Plan is presented presented supported with data written
Or
Or
Summary Summary is a summary of the
document, not a summary of Summary is missing some key
the business plan information

The problem being solved by The problem being solved by Why the consumer should Why the consumer should Why the consumer should by the + Section is suitable for
the product is not convincing the product is stated, but by the product is clearly by the product is very product is very clearly explained presentation to investors as
there is no clear link to why explained clearly explained written
the consumer should purchase Section is supported by research
the product and incorporates references

Product purpose

Section is missing The product is stated but is not The product is stated with The product is stated and a The product is stated and The product is stated and a + Section is suitable for
well-defined in terms of some functionality presented diagram (mock up, a diagram (mock up, diagram (mock up, prototype presentation to investors as
functionality prototype and/or system prototype and/or system and/or system diagram) is written
The price of the product is diagram) is included diagram) is included included
No price of the product is presented but is unrealistic
presented Some functionalities are Most functionalities are All functionalities are clearly
described and explained described and explained described
convincingly convincingly
The price of the product is
Product
The price of the product is The price of the product is presented and is appropriate for
functionality presented and is presented and is the target market
appropriate for the target appropriate for the target
market market Section is supported by research
and incorporates references

Section is missing Competitors/product Identification of competitors is Identification of Identification of Identification of competitors is + Section is suitable for
differentiation from mostly appropriate competitors is mostly competitors is mostly appropriate presentation to investors as
competitors is weakly defined appropriate appropriate written
Product uniqueness from Product uniqueness from
Or
Competitor competitors is unconvincingly Product uniqueness from Product uniqueness from competitors is convincingly
Analysis Only one from described competitors is mostly competitors is described
competitors/product convincingly described convincingly described
differentiation is presented Section is supported by research
and incorporated references
Module Code: EEEE3100 Module Name: Professional Studies

EEEE3100 Professional Studies – Written Business Plan – Marking Rubric

Category Very Poor Poor Adequate Good Very Good Excellent Outstanding
Section is missing Company name and/or logo is Company name and logo Company name and logo Company name and logo Company name and logo + Section is suitable for
missing or inappropriate included included included included presentation to investors as
written
The IP position of the company The IP position of the company The IP position of the The IP position of the The IP position of the company is
is weakly defined is adequately defined company is defined company is very well excellently defined
defined
Discussion of how company IP Discussion of how company Discussion of how company IP
will be protected included IP will be protected Discussion of how will be protected included
included company IP will be
protected included Research into similar items is
Intellectual
Research into similar items considered with respect to IP
Property is considered with respect Research into similar (can be cross referenced to
to IP (can be cross items is considered with market research section)
referenced to market respect to IP (can be cross
research section) referenced to market Section is supported by research
research section) and incorporated references

Section is supported by Freedom to operate is

research and incorporated considered and reasonable
references

Section is missing A Gantt chart (or similar) for A Gantt chart (or similar) for A Gantt chart (or similar) for A Gantt chart (or similar) A Gantt chart (or similar) for + Section is suitable for
developing the product developing the product developing the product for developing the developing the product included presentation to investors as
included but is not detailed included with an adequate included with a good product included with a with a good amount of detail to written
enough to achieve the aims in amount of detail to achieve amount of detail to achieve very good amount of achieve the aims in the business
the business plan the aims in the business plan the aims in the business detail to achieve the aims plan
plan in the business plan
Objectives within the Gantt Objectives within the Gantt chart
chart loosely conform to Objectives within the Gantt Objectives within the conform to SMART format
SMART format chart conform to SMART Gantt chart conform to
5- Year format SMART format Time plan covers the 5-year
Development Plan Time plan does not cover the period
full 5-year period Time plan covers the 5-year Time plan covers the 5-
period year period When the company will make a
profit is stated and supported by
When the company will When the company will finance section
make a profit is stated and make a profit is stated and
supported by finance supported by finance Any standards product must
section section conform to is incorporated into
the development plan

Section is missing Risks identified but more than Risks identified with one All risk categories are All risk categories are All risk categories are included. + Section is suitable for
one category is missing category missing included. included. presentation to investors as
Risks identified with mitigations written
Or
Categories: Risks identified with Risks identified with that are reasonable
• Political Risk mitigations identified are mitigations that are mostly mitigations that are
Risk Mitigation • Social not reasonable reasonable reasonable The most serious risk(s) are
• Technological identified and justified
• Environmental The most serious risk(s)
• Ethical are identified and justified Section is supported by research
and incorporated references
Module Code: EEEE3100 Module Name: Professional Studies

EEEE3100 Professional Studies – Written Business Plan – Marking Rubric

Category Very Poor Poor Adequate Good Very Good Excellent Outstanding
Section is missing Some feedback from is Feedback is discussed and Feedback is discussed and Feedback is discussed and Feedback is discussed and all + Feedback has been used to
discussed, but there is no some, but not all feedback has the majority of feedback all feedback acted upon feedback acted upon and prompt further reflection on
indication that any action has been acted upon and acted upon and and incorporated into the incorporated into the business other areas which is
been taken as a result incorporated into the business incorporated into the business plan. plan. discussed in this section.
Reflection on plan. business plan.
Where feedback has not Where feedback has not been
feedback from
Where feedback has not been Where feedback has not been acted upon, there is acted upon, there is an
Business Plan acted upon, there is no been acted upon, there is an explanation of why. explanation of why.
Outline explanation of why. some explanation of why.
Section is cross referenced to
the appropriate parts of the
business plan

Section is missing Belbin team roles are listed for Belbin team roles are listed for Belbin team roles are listed Belbin team roles are Belbin team roles are listed for + Group has discussed
each team member, but no each team member for each team member listed for each team each team member limitations of the Belbin
further information is provided member model and presented other
The work contributed by each The work contributed by The work contributed by each models of groups they found
group member is stated each group member is The work contributed by group member is stated more useful
stated each group member is
stated Challenges encountered by the
Reflection on Challenges encountered by group are stated
Productive Teams the group are stated Challenges encountered
by the group are stated How the group overcame
challenges to submit work is
How the group overcame included.
challenges to submit work
is included Ways the group could work
more effectively in future are
stated
Very poor formatting Document does not conform Document conforms to Document conforms to Document conforms to Document conforms to + Section is suitable for
and/or standard of to formatting requirements formatting requirements formatting requirements formatting requirements formatting requirements presentation to investors as
English makes including page and word limits including page and word limits including page and word including page and word including page and word limits written
document unreadable limits limits
Or
Meaning is mostly easy to Meaning is easy to understand
Document is not pitched to the understand Meaning is easy to Meaning is easy to
correct audience understand understand The document is pitched to the
The document is generally correct audience
pitched to the correct The document is pitched to The document is pitched
audience the correct audience to the correct audience Images are used which enhance
Presentation of
readability
Document Images are used which Images are used which
enhance readability enhance readability Use of sections/headings/lists
etc. further enhance readability
Use of
sections/headings/lists Quality of images are of a
etc. further enhance professional standard
readability
References list is present and
correctly formatted
Module Code: EEEE3100 Module Name: Professional Studies

Coursework – Business Plan Presentation

Scenario: Your group will present your business idea to an audience of potential investors – this is a non-
technical audience. You should cover the categories given in the rubric.

Not everyone has to speak but everyone is expected to contribute towards the work.

After the presentation there will be questions posed for groups to answer. You should aim to be concise and
accurate in your answers. For the questions it is suggested that you prepare responses to ‘obvious’ questions
that, for example, may concern the engineering aspects of your product or how it offers something new to
the consumer.

Length: 10 minutes maximum presentation plus 5 minutes for questions and answers.

Module assessment: 25%

Deadline: Presentations 15/05/23 – 16/05/23, timetable TBC

Assessment Criteria: See rubric. Criteria weightings shown in rubric

Module Code: EEEE3100 Module Name: Professional Studies

EEEE3100 Professional Studies – CWC Business Plan Presentation – Marking Rubric

Category &
Very Poor Poor Adequate Good Very Good Excellent Outstanding
Weighting
The purpose of The purpose of the product The purpose of the product is The purpose of the product is The purpose of the product is The purpose of the product is + Suitable for presentation
the product is not is poorly stated adequately stated adequately stated convincingly stated convincingly stated and to investors as is
introduced or presented centres the customer
Does not include with an An outline of the contents of An outline of the contents of An outline of the contents of
outline of the contents of the talk is included the talk is included the talk is included An outline of the contents of
the talk the talk is included
The problem the product The problem the product The problem the product
Introduction solves is weakly introduced solves is presented but the solves is presented and the The problem the product
need for this may not be need for this is convincingly solves is presented and the
convincingly made made need for this is convincingly
10% made, centring the customer
and connecting with the
audience

Section is missing Description of the current Description of the current Description of the current Description of the current Description of the current + Suitable for presentation
state of the market the state of the market is mostly state of the market is mostly state of the market is mostly state of the market is to investors as is
product is aimed at is not appropriate appropriate appropriate appropriate
fully appropriate
Some market segments are Some market segments are Several market segments are Multiple market segments are
identified, but these may not identified identified identified and justified
be fully appropriate
Barriers to entry are identified Barriers to entry are identified Barriers to entry are identified

Future market segments for Future market segments for Future market segments for
Target Market
expansion are identified expansion are identified and expansion are identified and
Analysis justified justified

15% Section is supported by

research and incorporated
references
Module Code: EEEE3100 Module Name: Professional Studies

EEEE3100 Professional Studies – CWC Business Plan Presentation – Marking Rubric

Category &
Very Poor Poor Adequate Good Very Good Excellent Outstanding
Weighting
Section is missing Finance required is Finance required is presented Finance required is presented Finance required is presented Finance required is presented + Suitable for presentation
presented with costs split with costs categories of with costs categories of with costs categories of with costs categories of to investors as is
into outgoing and incoming materials, staff costs, materials, staff costs, materials, staff costs, materials, staff costs,
categories operating costs and sales operating costs and sales operating costs and sales operating costs and sales
Finance projections incorporated projections incorporated projections incorporated projections incorporated

required Some potential income A range of potential income A range of potential income A range of potential income
sources included sources included sources included sources included
15%
Section is supported by Tax and costs related to IP
research and incorporated included
references
Section is supported by
research and incorporated
references

Contents and slides are very Contents and slides are Contents and slides are Contents and slides are Contents and slides are well Contents and slides are + Suitable for presentation
poorly/illogically organised poorly/illogically organised adequately organised organised organised excellently organised to investors as is

The colour chosen makes it There are various errors in There are a small number of Figures, images and text can Figures, images and text can Figures, images and text can
difficult to read the text. the slides related to issues with the slide be clearly seen. be clearly seen. be clearly seen.
Structure and sharpness, typography, presentation, but this does not
quality of the spelling and design. obscure meaning in the main Headings and text have Headings and text have Headings and text have
different sizes. different sizes. different sizes.
presentation
Images used are not sharp,
poorly aligned or not The choice of colours and The choice of colours and
10% readable formats is visually attractive. formats is visually attractive.

Concludes with the key points.

Speaks more than a minute The speakers cannot be Tries to speak with enough Speaks with enough clarity Speaks with enough clarity Speaks with enough clarity + Suitable for presentation
under the specified time or understood for most of the clarity (audibility, tone, pace) (audibility, tone, pace) to be (audibility, tone, pace) to be (audibility, tone, pace) to be to investors as is
has to be cut off presentation (audibility, to be understood by the understood by the audience understood by the audience understood by the audience all
tone and pace of speech) audience, and achieves it most the majority of the time the majority of the time the time
The speakers cannot be of the time
understood for most of the Skips slides to adjust the Speakers do not emphasize Speakers emphasize important Speakers excellently
Delivery presentation (audibility, speech to the time left and Speaks between half a minute important points points emphasize important points to
tone and pace of speech) still speak for more than a and a minute under the capture audience attention
minute under the specified specified time, or finishes on Speaks between half a minute Speaks up to 30 seconds under
20% time or has to be cut off time with a final rush at the and a minute under the the specified time Speaks up to 30 seconds under
end to complete the specified time the specified time
presentation
Module Code: EEEE3100 Module Name: Professional Studies

EEEE3100 Professional Studies – CWC Business Plan Presentation – Marking Rubric

Category &
Very Poor Poor Adequate Good Very Good Excellent Outstanding
Weighting
Very poor response to all Poor response to up to half Adequate response to Good response to questions Very good response to Excellent response to + Suitable for presentation
questions indicating a of questions indicating a questions indicating a some indicating research and questions indicating research questions indicating research to investors as is
fundamental lack of fundamental lack of research and understanding understanding of the topic and understanding of the topic and understanding of the topic
research and research and understanding
understanding. Responses are supported by Responses are supported by Responses are supported by
referring to appropriate slides referring to appropriate slides referring to appropriate slides
with answers going beyond with answers going beyond
Questions what was in the presentation what was in the presentation

Responses are supported by

30% quantitative data where
appropriate