Outline

Overview

This unit serves as the capstone unit for the Strategy, Innovation and Management Specialisation. The unit provides synthesis of essential theories and concepts in the domains of strategy, innovation and management. Each domain is presented in a block of three lectures supplemented with case-based tutorials. Topics covered include business models, user and disruptive innovation, value chain and ecosystem analysis. Theories and concepts are further tested in the real-life business projects offered by participating partner organisations. The emphasis of the unit is made on understanding the complexity of the innovation process and learning how to navigate the business environment to maximise the value from innovation.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Strategy, Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	Completion of 18 credit points of units towards the Strategy, Innovation and Management specialisation (including SIEN5001)
Corequisites ?	Completion of 6 credit points towards the Strategy, Innovation and Management specialisation
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Maria Rumyantseva, maria.rumyantseva@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 31 August 2026

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Presentation	Case study analysis, presentation and discussion Analysis, group presentation and discussion of case studies to test understanding of theories and their application to the company project	15%	Multiple weeks	30 minutes	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
In-person practical, skills, or performance task or test	Project updates, feedback and discussion Regular project updates structured as group presentation, feedback and discussion to develop a cohesive strategy for the industry partner	40%	Ongoing	20 minutes	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Final group presentation Final group presentation as part of the company project	15%	Week 12 Due date: 26 Oct 2026 at 11:00 Closing date: 05 Nov 2026	N/A	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Final group report Final group report as part of the company project	20%	Week 12 Due date: 30 Oct 2026 at 23:59 Closing date: 09 Nov 2026	3000 words group report	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Theory quizzes Theory quizzes testing understanding of theories and concepts presented in online modules	10%	Weekly	N/A	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
= group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Project updates, feedback and discussion: Students will analyse, present, discuss and obtain feedback on essential elements of the company project to solve the innovation challenge. This assignment feeds directly into the group presentation and group report.

Case study analysis, presentation and discussion: Students are assessed on their engagement with online modules, contribution to case study analysis, presentation and quality discussions in tutorials.

Final group presentation: Students will present their results from the group report to the company founders. This assessment is focused on development of collaboration and communication skills.

Final group report: This group assignment brings together and builds on each team member's individual contributions. For the group report students will use an adjusted Business Model Canvas framework to outline potential solution/s to the innovation challenge faced by the project company.

Theory quizzes: The multiple choice questions test understanding of theories and concepts presented in online modules.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

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

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Distinction	75 - 84	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Credit	65 - 74	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Pass	50 - 64	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

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:

Late penalties will be applied per University policy.

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.

Learning support

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

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Face to face lecture: introduction	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 02	Online module: invention, innovation & commercialisation	Self-directed learning (1 hr)
Week 02	Company project	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 03	Online module: user innovation	Self-directed learning (1 hr)
Week 03	Company project and case study	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 04	Online module: disruptive innovation	Self-directed learning (1 hr)
Week 04	Company project and case study	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 05	Face to face lecture: Q&A with company	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 05	Company project	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 06	Online module: sources of innovative opportunities and their management	Self-directed learning (1 hr)
Week 06	Company project and case study	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 07	Online module: entrepreneurial and managerial skillsets combined	Self-directed learning (1 hr)
Week 07	Company project	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 08	Online module: business models	Self-directed learning (1 hr)
Week 08	Company project and case study	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 09	Online module: industry value chain	Self-directed learning (1 hr)
Week 09	Company project	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 10	Online module: from five forces to clusters	Self-directed learning (1 hr)
Week 10	Company project and case study	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 11	Online module: innovation ecosystems	Self-directed learning (1 hr)
Week 11	Company project and trial presentations	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 12	Face to face lecture: company project presentations	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 12	Feedback on project presentations	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 13	Online module: looking forward	Self-directed learning (1 hr)
Week 13	Looking forward	Tutorial (2 hr)

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 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes

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.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

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

LO1. Apply theoretical concepts and practical knowledge acquired through real-life company projects to critically evaluate business challenges.
LO2. Generate solutions to business challenges applying both theoretical concepts and first-hand experience gained through company projects.
LO3. Practice communication skills, including clear and concise delivery of complex concepts, through on-going interactions in the groups and in class as well as with business partners.
LO4. Practice organisational and time management skills while collaborating on group projects and interacting with business partners.
LO5. Reflect on ethical and socially responsible practices and behaviours of the participating companies and suggest ways for their refinement.

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
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

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

Based on the Business School Assessment and Unit Design Guidelines (BSAG) and Secure Core Learning (SCL) guidance, the assessment regime of the Capstone unit has been revised to include 40% secure in-class assessment that demonstrates all unit learning outcomes. The new secure assessment titled ‘project update, feedback and discussion’ (40%) is a presentation-, feedback- and discussion-based in-class individual assessment performed fortnightly to assess student’s progress across key components of the company project (markets, competitors, finance and strategy) and prepare for the final presentation to industry partner. Throughout the semester, each student presents four updates and can receive up to 10% for each presentation and related discussions of own and other presentations. Evaluation of student’s ability to apply theories to industry context is now performed in a separate open assessment ‘case study analysis, presentation and discussion’ (15%), which is focused on in-class presentation and discussion of assigned case studies related to specific theories. Weekly ‘theory quizzes’ (10%) are now a separate assessment. The assessment regime retains key assessment components of ‘final group report’ (20%) and ‘final group presentation’ (15%). In order to accommodate the new assessment regime with significantly higher proportion of assessments taking place in-class, the ratio of online independent learning is reduced from 1.5h to 1h weekly, while the time of tutorials is extended from 1.5h to 2h weekly.

Additional information

Business School Policies

Disclaimer

Important: the University of Sydney regularly reviews units of study and reserves the right to change the units of study available annually. To stay up to date on available study options, including unit of study details and availability, refer to the relevant handbook.

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

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

SIEN6600: Strategy, Innovation and Management Capstone

Semester 2, 2026 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links