Data-X is an advanced project course.  The skill set learned in this course can be applied to a broad range of industry sectors and applications.  A key part of the course is an open ended project.  The first 4 weeks are used to generate a story and low-tech demo for a real-world project.  The remaining 8 weeks are used for an agile sprint which results in a demonstration of working project code by the end of the course.

Illustration of Course Model:

The project development is based on the development framework of Innovation Engineering, which includes the story development, execution while learning, innovation behaviors, and leadership.

Required Reading:

• Innovation Engineering, the book – At Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1733431705

You can check here for the latest table of contents for reading assignments

• Navigator tool to reinforce inductive learning in the project:

Slide iNav ver. S1.1

• Low tech demo

Project Outline:

Project Module 1: Project Introduction

• Lecture: Overview and Project Information
• Project Assignment: write down 3 ideas a project, 1-3 sentences each. Due within one. Submit will be in a google form here and shared spreadsheet to that everyone can see the concepts submitted. (5 points)
• Reading: Chapter 1: SUMMARIZING THE PROBLEM AND INTRODUCING THE SOLUTION and Caviar case. Write ½ page to 1 page reflection about which concepts from the chapter and case might be most relevant for your project. You may also critique concepts.  Due in one week. (5 points)

Project Module 2: Team Formation 1

• Bring the three ideas to class
• Allow 10-15 people to pitch project idea for 1 min each. 1 extra participation point per pitch.
• Remaining time, mingle, share ideas. Form teams.  Use Google form to submit your project name, team members, contact information, and keywords that describe your project.  Your project concept may change.
• Reading: Chapter 2: THE SOLUTION. Write ½ page to 1 page maximum reflection about which concepts from the chapter might be most relevant for your project. You may also critique concepts.  Due in one week. (5 points)

Project Module 3: Team Formation 2

• Finalize teams. Any incomplete teams may merge with others.
• Project Assignment: During class, open the Innovation Navigator, make a copy, fill in title page and contact information for each team member, share document with team members, instructors and GSIs. (5 points)
• Reading: Chapter 4:DEVELOPING A BETTER STORY. Write ½ page to 1 page maximum reflection about which concepts from the chapter might be most relevant for your project. You may also critique concepts.  Due in one week. (5 points)
• Project Assignment: In class, start brainstorming for 30 min. Continue over the next week for open-ended brainstorming, but then converge to a few key requirements for the project.  As needed, collect data by talking to potential users of the project.  The team should come up with a multiple project variations and then select one for implementation.  Summarize your brainstorming in 1 page. Where did you start and end, what did you decide?  Each person on team turn in your brainstorm and convergence summary by next week.  (5 points)

Project Module 4: Low Tech Demo

• Team Project assignment: Create low tech demo. This is a 5-slide presentation with no code.  It can be up to 10 slides at most.   Insert these slides into your Innovation Navigator just after the title slide.  The team should make one presentation and record it as a video of approximately 5 min.  Turn in a link to the slides and the video (which can be embedded on one of the slides) within 1 week.  (10 points)
• Reading: Chapter 3: A STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE TO INNOVATION PROJECTS. Write ½ page to 1 page maximum reflection about which concepts from the chapter might be most relevant for your project. You may also critique concepts.  Due in one week. (5 points)

Project Module 5:

• Some teams to present live as case examples. Participation credits for live presentation (5 min) and Q/A (5 min). (2 point extra per person if volunteer)
• Lecture on project execution and agile, getting started.
• Reading: Case Study: “Starting an Agile Implementation for Technical Delivery” in Appendix.  Quickly review the following section including Data-X project cases.  Summarize main points of Starting an Agile Implementation in 1 paragraph.  Turn in 1 per person, within 1 week.  (5 points)
• Team Project Assignment: Fill next 2 pages of the Innovation Navigator which are 1 initial conditions and 2) one of the execution/reflection pages. Send link when finished, within 1 week. (5 points)
• Create your first Minimal Viable Demo. Be ready to demonstrate it by next week.

Project Module 6:

• Improve your first Minimal Viable Demo. Be ready to demonstrate it
• Min Viable Demonstration (10 points)

Project Module 7:

• Reading: Chapter 7: INNOVATION LEADERSHIP. Write ½ page to 1 page maximum reflection about which concepts from the chapter might be most relevant for your project. You may also critique concepts.  Due in one week. (5 points)
• Agile implementation
• Record project progress on Innovation Navigator each week with a new execution/reflection sheet. (5 points)
• (When requested, demonstration updates are all 5 points)

Project Module 8:

• Reading: Chapter 8: CULTURE, MINDSET, AND BEHAVIOR. Write ½ page to 1 page maximum reflection about which concepts from the chapter be most relevant for your project. You may also critique concepts.  Due in one week. (5 points)
• Agile implementation
• Record project progress on Innovation Navigator each week with a new execution/reflection sheet. (5 points)
• (When requested, demonstration updates are all 5 points)

Project Module 9-10:

• Record project progress on Innovation Navigator each week with a new execution/reflection sheet.
• Agile implementation
• Be prepared to demonstrate what you have.
• (When requested, demonstration updates are all 5 points)

Project Module 11-12:

• Prepare for final demo. Agile implementation
• Switch to checklist of remaining action items to get project ready. (5 points)

Project Final: Be prepared to showcase your work during reading week.  The Team will have to turn in the following:

• Slides and demo (50 points) graded on
  • 20 points effort
  • 20 points quality in work,
  • 10 points creativity or project or presentation style
• Code via github link (10 points for code check)
• The slides should include a reflection of what happened over the journey project and what the team learned. (10 points for reflection)
• A news write up in 3^rd 1-2 paragraphs that tell the news story of what your team created. (5 points)

Individuals should plan to turn in:

• 360 assessment of contribution of each team member including yourself.
• Course feedback form and reflection
• Sign up for Facebook/Linkedin alumni group.