cap-gp 3301 002 - robert f. wagner graduate …€¦ · web viewcap-gp 3301 002 fall 2018 –...
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CAP-GP 3301 002Fall 2018 – Spring 2019
Instructor Information● Miriam Altman
● Email: [email protected]
● Office Address: 25 Broadway, 12th floor, New York, NY 10004
● Office Hours: Mondays 5:45-6:45pm*, or by appointment.
o *Please email me at least 48 hours ahead of time to confirm office hours, even if you plan to attend during the regular Monday time. We will generally meet in a location very near the class meeting location.
Course Information
● Class Meeting Times: 6:45-8:35 pm
● Class Location: Silver 515
Course Prerequisites
● All 5 school-wide core courses;
● PADM-GP.2132 or 2310l and PADM-GP.4130;
● and one additional required SI3 specialization course.
Course DescriptionCapstone is learning in action. Part of Wagner’s core curriculum, it provides students with both a critical learning experience and an opportunity to perform a public service. Over the course of an academic year, students work in teams to address challenges, solve problems and identify
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opportunities for a client organization. Students will design the approach, conduct the data collection and analysis, and present findings, both orally and in writing, to the client.
In architecture, the capstone is the crowning piece of an arch, the center stone that holds the arch together, giving it shape and strength. Wagner’s Capstone program plays a similar role, by building on students’ previous coursework and expertise, while also enhancing student learning on policy and management issues, key process skills and research skills. Capstone requires students to interweave their learning in all these areas, and to do so in real time, in an unpredictable, complex real world environment. Although divided into teams, the class will work as a learning community dedicated to the success of all the projects.
Course and Learning Objectives
A. ContentStudents should demonstrate the ability to:
● understand the policy and/or management context for their project;
● be familiar with relevant specialized vocabularies;
● draw on critical research related to their content area;
● connect their project with previous coursework in their broader program and
specialization.
B. ProcessOverall, students should demonstrate a capacity for flexibility and resilience, as shown by adapting to changing and complex circumstances, balancing competing demands, accepting uncertainty and ambiguity, and knowing when to consult with their Capstone instructor.
a. Project ManagementStudents should demonstrate the ability to:
● frame and refine the problem as defined through the problem identification process;
● develop an internal project workplan including scope, timeline and deliverables;
● meet deadlines and monitor their progress against the contract and workplan;
● revise contract and workplan as necessary.
b. Business Model DevelopmentStudents should demonstrate the ability to:
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● identify the problem through customer discovery processes;
● develop and continually iterate upon the Business Model Canvas;
● maintain regular and productive communication with key stakeholders;
● solicit and integrate feedback from the stakeholders on design and deliverables;
● submit deliverables on time.
c. Team ManagementStudents should demonstrate the ability to:
● diagnose and attend to interpersonal dynamics;
● define roles and useful division of labor;
● manage assignments and accountability;
● advocate points of view and negotiate differences of opinion;
● solicit and offer feedback;
● appreciate and learn from cultural and other differences.
C. Research Students should demonstrate the ability to:
● identify and synthesize existing research relevant to the project
● identify and implement appropriate quantitative and/or qualitative data gathering
methods;
● identify and implement appropriate data analysis procedures;
● determine findings;
● develop useful recommendations and/or tools and resources based on findings.
D. CommunicationStudents should demonstrate the ability to:
● synthesize and summarize large amounts of data and information;
● prepare clear and well-argued written deliverables tailored to the beneficiary’s needs;
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● prepare clear and well-argued verbal presentations tailored to the beneficiary’s needs.
Learning Assessment Table
Course Learning Objective Corresponding Assignment
Understand the policy and/or management context for their project
Interim and final products
Be familiar with relevant specialized vocabularies Interim and final products
Draw on critical research related to their content area Interim and final products
Frame and refine the problem presented by the client Signed contract with client
Develop a contract with the client including scope, timeline and deliverables
Signed contract with client
Develop an internal project workplan Team workplan
Meet deadlines and monitor their progress against the contract and workplan
Signed contract and team workplan
Negotiate a contract with their client Signed contract with client
Advocate points of view and negotiate differences of opinion Self and team peer evaluations
Appreciate and learn from cultural and other differences Self and team peer evaluations
Identify and synthesize existing research relevant to the project Interim and final products
Identify and implement appropriate quantitative and/or qualitative data gathering methods
Interim and final products
Identify and implement appropriate data analysis procedures Interim and final products
Determine findings Interim and final products
Develop useful recommendations and/or tools and resources based on findings
Interim and final products
Synthesize and summarize large amounts of data and information Interim and final products
Prepare clear and well-argued written deliverables tailored to the client’s needs
Interim and final products
Prepare clear and well-argued verbal presentations tailored to the client’s needs
Interim and final presentations
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Course RequirementsStudents formed teams of 3-5 students prior to enrolling in this Capstone section. Only on a unique, case-by-case basis will student requests to change teams be considered.
The class will involve presentations from the instructor, guest speakers, class discussion, team presentations and meetings. Course requirements include:
● enrollment in both semesters;
● attendance and participation in class activities and team meetings;
● completion of assignments on time;
● participation in field work;
● participation in meetings with beneficiaries;
● participation in preparation and presentation of findings.
Evaluation and GradingStudents will receive 1.5 credits for the fall semester and 1.5 for the spring semester. At the end of the first semester, students will receive a grade of “IP” (Incomplete Pass) to reflect the “work in progress” nature of the yearlong project. I will assign final grades at the end of the second semester.
Grades will be allotted to individuals, not to the team as a whole. That is, team members may receive different grades if I feel that is warranted. I will make this judgment based both on my assessment of students’ contribution and learning and on the assessments you give each other as part of the evaluation process at the end of the first and second semesters. Students will be graded on both the products they deliver to their clients and evidence of progressive learning throughout the course, based on the Learning Objectives. 60% is based on work products identified in the milestones as well as any interim deliverables to the client or assigned by the faculty member. 40% is based on evidence of the individual student’s learning during the course through participation in the team’s work and class activities, his/her ability to act on peer and faculty feedback; individual and team preparation for and performance at client meetings; and end-of-semester faculty, peer and self-evaluations.
Late individual or group assignments will only be considered prior to the assignment deadline. If students seek an extension on any assignment, s/he must communicate this request, along with rationale, to me via email at least 24 hours prior to the deadline. While I understand that circumstances arise and aim to be reasonable with students, as I know all students manage several commitments and obligations, I reserve the right to grant or deny extension requests on a case-by-case basis.
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AttendanceStudents are expected to attend all scheduled class meetings for the entirety of the meeting time. If a circumstance arises the interferes with this commitment, the student should email me as soon as possible, will be expected to work with teammates to catch up on missed materials, and is expected to submit materials due during the missed class meeting via NYU Classes by the deadline.
Technology in ClassStudents are welcome to bring and use personal laptops and other devices during allocated team meeting time during class. I expect that students will be engaged with the class and their teammates during the class meeting time, and use personal technology for purposes unrelated to class on an as-needed basis. Please leave all technology out of site during guest presentation time. Should you like to take notes, please do so manually. All guest presenter materials will be available after class on NYU Classes, as well.
Recommended Readings and ResourcesVaried articles and multimedia assignments are available on the NYU Classes website under Resources.
The below are recommended, though not required, readings.
● Arkebauer, James. The McGraw-Hill Guide to Writing a High-Impact Business Plan: A Proven Blueprint for First-Time Entrepreneurs 1st Edition
● Gelobter, Michel. Lean Startups for Social Change
● Raz, Guy. How I Built This (NPR podcast series)
This course will heavily refer to the Business Model and Lean Change Canvasses. More information is available online, but for easy and quick reference, see here:
● Business Model Canvas : https://canvanizer.com/new/business-model-canvas● Lean Change Canvas : https://canvanizer.com/new/lean-change-canvas
Course MilestonesThe course has a series of milestones – both activities and products -- that will serve as interim work products. I’ve suggested time frames in parentheses, though actual timing during the course of the year may vary depending on the specific situation of each team and client. These milestones include:
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● Presentation of project scope to classmates (September/October);
● Team role designations (September/October);
● Business Model or Lean Change Canvas and Problem Identification (October)
● Preliminary work agreement; presentation to class/faculty for feedback
(October/November);
● Drafts 1 + 2, Business Model Canvas (November)
● Final, signed, detailed team workplan (November) including:
o Identifying the problemo Landscape analysiso Market competitive analysiso Value propositiono Barriers to entryo Product definition and designo Strategy and implementation plano Organizational and operational plan (including structure)o Financial plano Financing plano Risk analysis/mitigationo Social impact metrics
● Team charter (November);
● End-of-first semester self, team/peer, and course evaluations; discussion of team
process and progress (December);
● Draft 3, Business Model Canvas (January)
● Draft 4, Business Model Canvas (February)
● First draft of Business Case to faculty (February/March);
● Draft 5 + Final Draft, Business Model Canvas (March)
● Draft 2 of Business Case to faculty (March/April);
● Rehearsal of client presentation before class/faculty for feedback before presentation to
panel (March/April);
● Final Business Case and presentation to panel (April);
● End-of-second semester reflection and celebration (May);
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● End-of-course self, team /peer, client and course evaluations (end April/beginning of
May);
● Presentation for Capstone Expo (May).
Class Schedule OverviewFor vacations and holidays, see the university’s academic calendar for 2018-19. (https://www.nyu.edu/registrar/calendars/university-academic-calendar.html)
Twice during the year, we hold Capstone skills trainings during the Monday Capstone class time. These dates are:
● October 22, 2018: Project Management. This will cover the basics of project
management. This is required, unless students have taken the Project Management course.
● March 4, 2019 (tentative date): Presentation Skills training. This is required: All students
must be present. While students have received prior training, this session will focus on group presentations.
Also, Capstone Expo will be on Tuesday, May 14, 2019.
The list of weeks and topics that follows is preliminary and subject to change. Students should expect to meet weekly as a class or team unless agreed in class.
We will meet weekly as a class or in teams unless agreed beforehand or indicated otherwise in the schedule below. Generally, unless otherwise noted (i.e. dates with extended team meeting times), course meetings will follow the structure below:
● Guest presentation or panel, followed by open Q&A (when applicable, 45 minutes)● Weekly team presentations and updates: present to the class (20 minutes)● Team meetings and worktime (45 minutes)
The sequence of classes, and due dates for assignments, could change depending in part on guest speaker availabilities. Specific requirements for each class will be posted on NYU Classes and emailed to you with enough lead time to prepare. NYU Classes takes precedence over what is written here.
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Fall Semester
09/10/18 - Independent Team Meetings (no formal class meeting - Rosh Hashanah)
Class meeting detail:
● No formal class meeting. I will be available for individual team meetings, as needed.
● I will be holding office hours by appointment with teams during the weeks of 09/03 and
09/10, as we will not hold our first official class meeting until 09/24. I will be reaching out to teams individually to schedule a required 30-minute check in during either week.
09/17/18 - Independent Team Meetings (no formal class meeting)
Class meeting detail:
● No formal class meeting. I will be available for individual team meetings, as needed.
Assignments:
● Team:
o Prepare 10-minute team updates presentation. DUE 9/24.o Schedule and participate one get-together purely about getting to know each
other (everyone should participate). DUE 10/1.
09/24/18 - CLASS 1: Introductions
Class Meeting Detail:
● Introductions
o Ice breakero Team updateso Syllabus, course structure, class structure review
● Business Model and Lean Change Canvasses: The Essentials
Assignments:
● Team:
o Prepare 5-minute team updates presentation. DUE 10/1.
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o Identify team member roles. Write a simple job description for each role (one page, including qualities, skills, and key responsibilities). Upload to Classes. DUE 10/1.
10/1/18 - CLASS 2: Team Dynamics
Class Meeting Detail:
● Brief presentation on team dynamics, class discussion of team role job descriptions,
meeting time to refine roles and establish team member role assignments
Assignments:
● Individual:
o Research upcoming guest speakers for 10/9 class; prepared one specific question or insight to gain from the presentation. DUE 10/9.
● Team:
o Prepare 5-minute team updates presentation. DUE 10/9.o Upload final team role descriptions and team member role assignments to
Classes. DUE 10/9.
10/8/18 - NO CLASS. FALL BREAK.
10/9/18* - CLASS 3: Problem Identification I
Class Meeting Detail:
● *CAPSTONE CLASS MEETS (This is a legislative day: Classes meet on a Monday
schedule.)
● Guest presentation: Frank Rimalovski, Executive Director, NYU Entrepreneurial
Institute + Andy Moss, Entrepreneur in Residence, NYU Entrepreneurial Institute
● Team meetings and work time on problem identification statements
Assignments:
● Individual: Research 10/15 guest speaker. Prepare at least one question or insight
to gain from presenter. DUE 10/15.
● Team:
o Prepare 5-minute team updates presentation. DUE 10/15.o Draft 1 Problem Identification Statements (Maximum one page); DUE 10/15.
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o Complete four (4) customer interviews. Include synopsis of findings in Problem Identification Statements. Include notes from interviews as appendices to Problem Identification Statements. DUE 10/15.
10/15/18 - CLASS 4: Problem Identification II
Class Meeting Detail:
● Guest presentation: Jessica Riegel, CEO, Motivote (NYU Wagner ‘18)
● Team work time on Problem Identification Statements
Assignments:
● Teams:
o Prepare 5-minute team updates presentation. DUE 10/22.o Final draft Problem Identification Statements (Maximum one page); DUE 10/22.o Complete four (4) additional customer interviews. Include synopsis of findings in
Problem Identification Statements. Include notes from ALL EIGHT (8) interviews as appendices to Problem Identification Statements. DUE 10/22.
10/22/18 - NO CLASS (required project management session)
Class Meeting Detail:
● Required session on project management (6:45–8:25 pm at NYU Law School,
Tishman Auditorium)
Assignments:
● Teams:
o Prepare 5-minute team updates presentation. DUE 10/29.o Draft 1 work agreement, including: problem identification statement, project
objective, required information, project boundaries, and final product with interim deliverables; DUE 10/29.
10/29/18 - CLASS 5: Team Meetings
Class Meeting Detail:
● Brief presentation and review of Business Model Canvas
● Team work time and extended instructor check ins on team work agreements
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Assignments:
● Individual: Prepare at least one question or insight to gain from 11/5 guest
presentation. DUE 11/5.
● Team:
o Prepare 5-minute team updates presentation. DUE 11/5.o Final work agreement, signed by all team members. DUE 11/5.
11/5/18 - CLASS 6: Customer Segments / Relationships
Class meeting detail:
● Guest presentation: Charissa Fernandez, Executive Director, Teach For America -
New York
● Team work time on Business Model Canvas draft 1
Assignments:
● Individual: Prepare at least one question or insight to gain from 11/12 guest
presentation. DUE 11/12.
● Team:
o Prepare 5-minute team updates presentation. DUE 11/12.o Draft 1 Business Model Canvas. DUE 11/12.
11/12/18 - CLASS 7: Solution / Value Proposition I
Class meeting detail:
● Guest presentation: Frank Altman, President and Co-Founder, Community
Reinvestment Fund, USA
● Team work time to revise Business Model Canvas
Assignments:
● Individual:
o Prepare at least one question or insight to gain from 11/19 guest presentation. DUE 11/19.
o Self, team peer, and course evaluations. DUE 11/19.
● Team: Prepare 5-minute team updates presentation. DUE 11/19.
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11/19/18 - CLASS 8: Solution / Value Proposition II
Class meeting detail:
● Guest presentation: TBC
● Team work time to revise Business Model Canvas
Assignments:
● Individual:
o Prepare at least one question or insight to gain from 11/26 guest presentation. DUE 11/26.
o Self, team peer, and course evaluations.
● Team:
o Prepare 5-minute team updates presentation. DUE 11/26.o Draft 2 Business Model Canvas. DUE 11/26.
11/26/18 - CLASS 9: Wireframing / Prototyping
Class meeting detail:
● Guest presentation: Alexandra Meis, Chief Product Officer and Co-Founder,
Kinvolved
● Team work time on Business Model Canvas draft 3
Assignments:
● Individual: Prepare at least one question or insight to gain from 12/3 guest
presentation. DUE 12/3.
● Team:
o Prepare 5-minute team updates presentation. DUE 12/3.
12/3/18 - CLASS 10: Key Activities
Class meeting detail:
● Guest presentation: TBC
● Meetings with teams to discuss peer feedback
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Assignment:
● Team:
o Prepare 10-minute team updates presentation. DUE 1/28.o Draft 3 Business Model Canvas. DUE 1/28.
12/10/18 - Independent Team Meetings (no formal class meeting)
Class meeting detail:
● No formal class meeting. I will be available for individual team meetings, as needed.
Spring SemesterDuring this semester, much of the time will be set aside for teams to meet on their own or with me. We can be flexible about the need for formal class meeting times. However, as needed, we will schedule problem-solving or skill-building sessions, so you must be available every Monday night during class time. Also, for planning purposes, I’ve noted here some potential deadlines, but these are preliminary and could change.
1/28/19 - CLASS 11: Team Meetings
Class meeting detail:
● Team updates;
● Discuss spring schedule
● Data analysis & report formatting
● Discuss final report options: report, community resource, and/or launch
Assignments Due:
● Teams:
o Prepare 5-minute team updates presentation. DUE 2/4.o Review and revise team charter. DUE 2/4.
2/4/19 - CLASS 12: Key Resources / Partners / Channels
Course meeting detail:
● Guest presentation: TBC
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● Review expectations for final reports and presentations. Team work time and
meetings on report planning, Business Model Canvas draft 4.
Assignments Due:
● Teams:
o Prepare 5-minute team updates presentation. DUE 2/11.o Business Model Canvas draft 4. DUE 2/11.
2/11/19 - CLASS 13: Key Metrics
Course meeting detail:
● Guest presentation: TBC
● Work time and team meetings on Final Report outline
Assignments Due:
● Teams:
o Prepare 5-minute team updates presentation. DUE 2/25.o Final report outline. DUE 2/25.
2/18/19 - NO CLASS (Presidents Day)
2/25/19 - CLASS 14: Revenue Streams
Course meeting detail:● Guest presentation: TBC● Team meetings and work time on Final Report draft 1.
Assignments Due:
● Teams:
o Prepare 5-minute team updates presentation. DUE 3/11.o Final Report draft 1. DUE 3/11.o Business Model Canvas draft 5. DUE 3/11.
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3/4/19 - NO CLASS* (Required presentation skills session)
Class meeting detail: *Required session on presentation skills.
3/11/19 - CLASS 15: Cost Structure
Class meeting detail:● Guest presentation: TBC● Team meetings and work time on Final Report final draft and Business Model Canvas
final draft.
Assignments Due:
● Teams:
o Prepare 5-minute team updates presentation. DUE 3/25.o Final Report final draft. DUE 3/25.o Business Model Canvas final draft. DUE 3/25
3/18/19 - NO CLASS (Spring Break)
3/25/19 - Class 16: Team Meetings
Course meeting detail:
● Team meetings and work time on final presentations and Expo prep
Assignments Due:
● Team: Prepare 5-minute team updates presentation. DUE 4/15.
4/1/19 - Independent Team Meetings (no formal class meeting)
Class meeting detail:
● No formal class meeting. I will be available for individual team meetings, as needed.
4/8/19 - Independent Team Meetings (no formal class meeting)
Class meeting detail:
● No formal class meeting. I will be available for individual team meetings, as needed.
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4/15/19 - CLASS 17: Team Meetings
Course meeting detail:
● Teams rehearse client presentations;
● Preparation for Expo
Assignments:
● Individual: Self, team peer, and client evaluations. DUE 4/29.
● Team: Final presentations. DUE 4/29.
4/22/19 - Independent Team Meetings (no formal class meeting)
Class meeting detail:
● No formal class meeting. I will be available for individual team meetings, as needed.
4/29/19 - CLASS 18: Final Presentations
Course meeting detail:● Teams deliver final presentations to professional panel.
5/6/19 - Independent Team Meetings (no formal class meeting)
Class meeting detail:
● No formal class meeting. I will be available for individual team meetings, as needed.
5/13/19 - CLASS 19: Reflect and Celebrate!
Course meeting detail:
● Last class: Reflect and celebrate.
Assignments:
● Team: Capstone Expo. DUE 5/14.
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5/14/19 - CAPSTONE EXPO!
Academic IntegrityAcademic integrity is a vital component of Wagner and NYU. All students enrolled in this class are required to read and abide by Wagner’s Academic Code. All Wagner students have already read and signed the Wagner Academic Oath. Plagiarism of any form will not be tolerated and students in this class are expected to report violations to me. If any student in this class is unsure about what is expected of you and how to abide by the academic code, you should consult with me.
Henry and Lucy Moses Center for Students with Disabilities at NYUAcademic accommodations are available for students with disabilities. Please visit the Moses Center for Students with Disabilities (CSD) website and click on the Reasonable Accommodations and How to Register tab or call or email CSD at (212-998-4980 or [email protected]) for information. Students who are requesting academic accommodations are strongly advised to reach out to the Moses Center as early as possible in the semester for assistance.
NYU’s Calendar Policy on Religious HolidaysNYU’s Calendar Policy on Religious Holidays states that members of any religious group may, without penalty, absent themselves from classes when required in compliance with their religious obligations. Please notify me in advance of religious holidays that might coincide with exams to schedule mutually acceptable alternatives.
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