Unit outline_

OLET1202: Business Entrepreneurship: Guerrilla Tactics

Intensive November - December, 2025 [Block mode] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

In this unit, students learn how to take a minimally viable product or service to market while drawing on the ubiquitous digital environment to develop customer insights. These guerrilla tactics prove valuable in a business environment where a new venture may appear to possess little legitimacy and credibility among established organisations and customers. This intensive module uses problem-based learning, practical examples, and academic literature to ensure students acquire knowledge and develop skills to overcome the challenges of novelty.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Strategy, Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Credit points 2
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

OLEO1200

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Paul Finn, p.finn@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 5 December 2025
Type Description Weight Due Length Use of AI
Contribution hurdle task Participation and Professionalism
Participation and professionalism
10% Ongoing Ongoing AI allowed
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Out-of-class quiz Early Feedback Task Early assessment task
#earlyfeedbacktask
10% Week 01
Due date: 26 Nov 2025 at 23:59

Closing date: 26 Nov 2025
10 MCQs on Canvas AI allowed
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3
Written work Guerrilla Tactics Assignment
Analyse the required case study using the principles of effectuation
80% Week 02
Due date: 04 Dec 2025 at 23:59

Closing date: 14 Dec 2025
1500 words AI allowed
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3
hurdle task = hurdle task ?
early feedback task = early feedback task ?

Early feedback task

This unit includes an early feedback task, designed to give you feedback prior to the census date for this unit. Details are provided in the Canvas site and your result will be recorded in your Marks page. It is important that you actively engage with this task so that the University can support you to be successful in this unit.

Assessment summary

  • Participation (including basic attendance) is listed as a HURDLE TASK which means you must complete the assessment in order to pass the unit.
  • 10 multiple choice questions -- 1% per question -- based on the required readings (available on Canvas).
  • Apply the effectuation principles to analyse a case study (further details on Canvas). 

 

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2021 (Schedule 1).

Learning outcomes for units of study are reported by grade only: the grade should be either Satisfied Requirements (SR) or Failed Requirements (FR). Learning outcomes for this unit of study are reported in the same way for all students enrolled in the unit.

Name Code Mark Description
Satisfied requirements SR No Mark Awarded in units of study where student achievement is measured as a pass or fail only without a mark to students who, in their performance in assessment tasks, demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars established by the faculty. 
Failed requirements FR No Mark Awarded in units of study where student achievement is measured either as Satisfied Requirements or Failed Requirements only, without a mark. Awarded to students who, in their performance in assessment tasks, fail to demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard established by the faculty. 


For more information, see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

This unit follows the University policy for late submissions. Please refer to the policy online.

Academic integrity

The University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Introduction to effectuation, effectuation vs causation; pitching Lecture (8 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4

Attendance and class requirements

Participation is listed as a HURDLE TASK which means you must complete the assessment in order to pass the unit. Students who fail to complete this assessment, even when their aggregate mark for the entire unit of study is above 50%, will be given a Fail grade for this unit.

As a result, a student's academic transcript will show a Fail grade and the actual mark achieved if the final mark of the unit is between 0-49 and a Fail grade, and a capped moderated mark of 49 for all other final marks.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 2 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 40-50 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

All readings for this unit can be accessed through the OLET1202 Canvas site.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. Understand the concept of effectuation
  • LO2. Develop an idea using effectuation principles
  • LO3. Determine the effectiveness of effectuation for entrepreneurs
  • LO4. Construct a new venture pitch

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Updates to learning outcomes, assessments and associated due dates.

Further information can be found on Canvas.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.