Reference no: EM132424369

BUMGT6927 - Creativity and Innovation - Federation University

Learning Outcomes:

Knowledge:
K1. Relate the impact of perception on thinking and concept development to innovative action
K2. Identify a range of creative thinking tools and debate the application of these to the innovation and entrepreneurial process
K3. Determine appropriate creativity and innovation strategies in a business setting
K4. Assess the principles underpinning the impact of perception on thinking, concept development and innovative action
K5. Appraise barriers to creativity in individuals and organisations

Skills:
S1. Develop and apply creative and innovative thinking styles
S2. Investigate, analyse, and synthesise creativity problem solving techniques to add creative value in order to solve a problem
S3. Observe and analyse the creative processes and determine and implement strategies to cope with blocks to creative problem solving
S4. Defend the processes and methods of creative problem solving: observation, definition, representation, ideation, evaluation and decision making

Application of knowledge and skills:
A1. Apply initiative and judgment in developing creative process suitable for the work environment within an ethical framework
A2. Identify, plan and evaluate a diverse range of decisions, across multiple industries, using appropriate creative problem solving techniques
A3. Develop specific skills in creative and innovative thinking techniques and focus on practical application of these skills, using individual autonomy and/or team collaboration.

Assessment Task: Individual Study of the Nature of Creativity and Innovation

Individual Essay/Report - Analysis of personal and organisational styles and assessment of strategies for creative thinking and innovation

Assessment Details

Each student is to submit a written assignment, based on an exploration of the nature of creativity and innovation, how these are defined, what academics and others say about them, and what their own experiences are. The topic will relate to the theory and practice of creativity and innovation in an organisational setting and will require participants to research the current body of knowledge in the area, assess how this might impact their role in an organisation, and present a case based on their research.

To help you focus this, aim to identify examples of people and/or organisations whose success was/is based on creative thinking and innovation, and what they did to achieve their success with innovation. Look to identify the key ingredients to successful innovation - Leadership, Focus, Creativity, Invention, and Entrepreneurship. Try to find people and organisations that are ‘less well known' than the usual examples, such as Apple, Google, Uber, etc. The aim is to learn how to ‘spot' innovation in action all around you, so focus on your own industry, field, country, or area of interest to find your examples.

The assignment report should be a document of about 2,500 words plus an Executive Summary, Mind Map, and Attachments as needed. You should also include a personal reflection on what you learnt by doing this assignment, and how you might apply the insights gained.

Tackling Assessment Task 1

This document provides an overview of Assessment Task 1 with comments on how you might approach it. The primary purpose of this assignment is for you to get an overall understanding of the breadth of the topic, AND for you to find some relevance or relationship to your own situation. Generally speaking, people who understand how creativity and innovation relates to their own situation are more successful in making innovation happen.

For this assessment task, each student is required to submit an essay based on an exploration of the nature of creativity and innovation - how these are defined, what academics and others say about them, what their own experiences are, and how they might apply the insights they gain from reading material on these topics. The assignment report should be a document of 2,000-2,500 words and should include Appendices such as a Mind Map and other images or data. The topic will relate to the theory and practice of creativity and innovation in an organisational setting and will require participants to research the current body of knowledge in the area and present a case based on their research.

The assessment criteria are outlined in the course description.

The issue of what Creativity and Innovation means to different people, organisations, and situations is clearly a tough one to pin down, but you will likely agree that trying to understand it better gives you an insight into running a business better. This is a chance to see the wide diversity in what Creativity and Innovation mean to different companies and ‘experts'.

Is Creativity & Innovation important to individual or organisational success?

If you believe it is then you may like to consider the following...
• How do I define creativity and innovation?
• What's the difference between them?
• Where does one end and the other begin?
• Can you have one without the other? What would be the result if you did?
• Where does intra/entrepreneurship fit in?
• What are examples of people, organisations, or products/services etc. you believe are innovative, and why do you believe they are. What type(s) of innovation do they display or use to be successful?

In addition the following questions may raise your interest...
• Is it important that I have ‘creative' people in our business?
• Are creative people born or developed - nature or nurture?
• What examples do I have of creative genius - and what makes them creative?
• Should I try to find and hire creative geniuses?
• Should I reward creativity and innovation, and if so how might I do that?
• What is your experience in this area?

Assessment Task 2:

Team based Creativity and Innovation

Research and critical analysis, then synthesising information into group report and oral presentation that demonstrates the creative problem solving process, on a real world business problem.

1. Assessment Details

The purpose of this group learning task is for students to become familiar with an Applied Creativity & Innovation model and develop skills in Deliberate Creative Thinking techniques by applying them to a real life challenge, and have the opportunity to observe and analyse different creative thinking processes.

Students will work in groups of four or five. Each group will explore possible situations/ challenges/ opportunities in their own organisations, industry, or area of interest, that could benefit from the application of Applied Creativity & Innovation. Each group will then decide on a focus statement for this project. Over the semester, students will work on this selected project, working through the different stages of the Applied Creativity & Innovation model outlined in this course, applying a variety of Deliberate Creative Thinking techniques.

Team Presentation and Written Report

The group's work will be evaluated on a 25 minute oral presentation and submission of their supporting written team project report.

Students are encouraged to use creative processes in this presentation and to make the session an enjoyable and enlightening learning activity for all the class members.

Presentations are expected to be professionally delivered and accompanied by appropriate graphical material (PowerPoint slides, video clips, whiteboard demonstrations, hand-outs, etc.)

The presentation and written report should:

1. Describe the starting challenge in the chosen situation of your group, identify the methods used to better establish and define this problem, and clearly show the project focus.

2. Describe exploration and idea generation methods and techniques applied to your identified problem, and show what was found during exploration, and the ideas generated.

3. Describe methods used for evaluating and developing the ideas generated into possible solutions, and show the results, outcomes, solutions, designs, or strategies developed, including any possible recommendations.

4. Include some reflection on the strengths and limitations of the methods / techniques used in your project.

5. Include copies of supporting documentation that show the group's work and application of creative techniques (e.g. Mind Maps, ideation notes, photos, visual representations, and a copy of any PowerPoint slides).

Note: Need only Task 2