University of Toronto

DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTER SCIENCE

University of Toronto

CSC454/2527S: The Business of Software

January-April 2000

Assignment: Plan v1

Handed Out: 17 January 2000, 6 p.m.

Due In: 31 January 2000, 5 p.m.

Marks: 7%

Each team will submit to the class listserv a draft executive summary (with ellipses) for its ultimate business plan, as well as a skeletal draft business plan. This is to be posted to the class Web site by 5 p.m. on January 31st, and also handed in on paper in class at 6 p.m. on January 31st.

Emphasis should be placed on a first attempt to:

• present the basic idea, objectives, and mission statement for the new venture

• describe in detail the product or service and the market to be served

• conjecture who the customer would be for the product or service, what the "user benefit" would be, and what the customer might be willing to pay

• describe the competitive landscape into which your product or service will be introduced, how you will position yourself in this landscape, and how you will differentiate yourself from the competition.

All of this will be refined and elaborated throughout the term.

The typical submission could be expected to be from 5 to 10 pages on paper not counting the title page table of contents page. The paper report must be typed and submitted on 8.5"X11" paper. Structure and organization, spelling, grammar, word usage, and document appearance will count for roughly 15% of your total grade. Sketches, diagrams, and tables should be used where appropriate to assist in conveying concepts. Such methods are particular appropriate for conveying competitive information and product positioning.

Submissions that are not written in minimally acceptable English will be returned for rework and resubmission.

Each submission must include a title page with a meaningful title, your names, your student ID#s, your tutor's name, the course name and number, and the date. The second page should contain a table of contents. The second page must also:

• indicate who on each team is responsible for what part of the work; and,

• which two team members will make the final oral presentations on April 3rd.

All other team members will make oral presentations on February 28th or on such other mid-semester dates required to allow all students to make presentations.

If you are still considering two ideas, or have variants of an idea that seem interesting, please mention them briefly in point form at the end of your submission. Although it gets increasingly difficult by the end of January and impossible by mid-February, you still have wiggle room to change your idea into a better one.