Description

A broad overview of the software industry and a detailed look at the principles for starting and operating successful and growing businesses within the industry.

Objectives

The objectives of this course include development of:

ï An understanding of the high-technology business environment in general and of the computer and software industries in particular.

ï An understanding of the basic principles involved in crafting a small healthy growing business within the software industry, emphasizing eight key areas: innovation, focus and objectives, opportunity and timing, proprietary technology and capability, marketing and distribution, finance and financing, leadership and management, and partnerships.

ï The ability to write, present, and critique business plans and to formulate and enhance computer-based financial forecasting models.

Synopsis

Topics will include the computer and software industries; sources of innovative opportunity; software business definition; software market planning and product planning; the management of R&D and software development; software product marketing; software sales and sales management; software product manufacturing and support; the financing and financial management of high technology ventures; legal protections for software as intellectual property; and leadership, management, and human resources for high technology industries. Particular emphasis will be placed on how the Internet is changing the software industry.

The class will be enriched by the participation of guest entrepreneurs ­ skilled practitioners active in the industry.

Intended students

Computer Science 4th year and graduate students; others by special permission.

Communication with the class

Announcements, course notes, assignments, etc. will be posted on the course listserv and the Web site http://www.dgp.toronto.edu/people/RMB/bizsoft.html. Subscribe to the listserv by sending a message to listserv@listserv.utoronto.ca. In the body of the text type the command line "subscribe csc454-l <firstname> <lastname>". Don't put any subject in and if you have an automatic signature, it must be removed.

Course schedule

See Course Schedule on the Web site. It may be updated from time to time.

Course texts and reading list: assignments and due dates

See Course Texts and Reading List on the site. It may also be updated.

Guest entrepreneurs (Subject to change without notice)

See Guest Entrepreneurs on the Web site. It will be updated.

Faculty (See detailed bios below)

Ron Baecker, Instructor

Caryn Mladen, Teaching Assistant

David Rosen, Teaching Assistant

Instructional methods, criteria for evaluation

• Reading from Reading List, organized with respect to lectures; course package on sale in bookstore, also on reserve in Engineering and SigSam Libraries.
• Lectures + question and answer, typically 30-45 minutes each week.
• Presentations by guest entrepreneurs most weeks; Class discussion with guests, formulation and analysis of key issues the following week (7% individual grade based on questions and other class participation; 0.5% for having your picture taken).
• Development of a business plan, including a financial forecasting model, for a new software venture, presented in stages throughout the semester ­ (total of 60%)

• Oral presentation of key ideas from either an interim or final business plan (7.5%, individual grade), the latter in the style of the American Electronics Association venture capital conference (see detailed description below).
• Two term tests (12.5% each, individual grade).

14 January (Noon) Assignment A: Ideas (1%): Each individual submits to the class listserv csc454-l@listserv.utoronto.ca a single submission containing one or two new venture ideas, each described in a single short paragraph. Each submission must also include:

5 February Assignment C: Plan v.1 (8%): Each team hands in a draft executive summary (with ellipses) for its ultimate business plan, as well as a skeletal draft business plan. This is to be handed in on paper. Emphasis should be placed on presenting the basic idea, objectives, and mission statement for a proposed new venture, and on describing in detail the product or service and the market to be served. The submission must also indicate who on each team is responsible for what part of the work, and who will make oral presentations in February and in April.

26 February Assignment D: Plan interim oral presentation (7.5%): Individuals will make brief oral presentations (3-4 minutes each, to be specified later) discussing key ideas and challenges in the evolving business plan. Each team will designate 2 members who will make the final presentation in April; all others will make interim oral presentations.

12 March Assignment E: Plan v.2 (14%): Each team hands in a complete draft business plan. This is to be handed in on paper. Emphasis should be placed on expanding and clarifying what was included in plan v.1, especially in terms of competitive analysis and competitive edge, and on adding marketing, financial, financing, and human resource plans for the new venture.

2 April, 9 April Assignment F: Plan final oral presentation, for those who have not done interim presentations (7.5%): The two individuals from each team who have not made interim presentations will collaborate on a final oral presentation (6-8 minutes total per team, to be specified later) presenting the most salient aspects of your business plan. April 9 presentations will be heard by a panel of industry experts. This will hopefully include a venture capitalist who will agree to review "the best plan."

12 April Assignment G: Plan final (35%): Each team hands in its final complete business plan in two copies, along with the marked-up copy of Plan v.2.