Overview
Digital media industries are characterised by innovation, entrepreneurship and disruptive new business models. This unit will equip you with the entrepreneurial skills and knowledge required to start your own business in the digital media industry. You will be guided through the processes of planning, starting and running a new technology-based enterprise. You will learn how to analyse the business models of existing organisations, how to recognise business model patterns, and how to design innovative business models for ventures within your field of interest.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
Prerequisite: 72 credit points
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 1 - 2025
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes - in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Postgraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of 'pass' in order to pass the unit. If any 'pass/fail' tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully ('pass' grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the 'assessment task' section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University's Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback - Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
- Develop plans for starting, running and growing a small business
- Analyse the business models of existing organisations, and recognise business model patterns
- Design innovative business models, employing techniques such as customer insights, ideation, visual thinking, prototyping, storytelling and scenarios
- Critically evaluate a business model and examine its environment
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| 1 - Written Assessment - 30% | ||||
| 2 - Case Study - 30% | ||||
| 3 - Report - 40% | ||||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| 1 - Knowledge | ||||
| 2 - Communication | ||||
| 3 - Cognitive, technical and creative skills | ||||
| 4 - Research | ||||
| 5 - Self-management | ||||
| 6 - Ethical and Professional Responsibility | ||||
| 7 - Leadership | ||||
| 8 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | ||||
Textbooks
Business Model Generation: A Handbook for Visionaries, Game Changers, and Challengers
Edition: 1st (2010)
Authors: Alexander Osterwalder and Yves Pigneu
John Wiley & Sons, Inc
Hoboken Hoboken , New Jersey , United States of America
ISBN: 9780470876411
VALUE PROPOSITION DESIGN: HOW TO CREATE PRODUCTS AND SERVICES CUSTOMERS WANT
Edition: 1st (2014)
Authors: Alex Osterwalder, Yves Pigneur, Greg Bernarda and Alan Smith
John Wiley & Sons, Inc
Hoboken Hoboken , New Jersey , USA
ISBN: 978-1-118-96806-2
Additional Textbook Information
Digital copies of the prescribed textbooks will also be made available to students through the eReading List
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
- Adobe Acrobat Reader (free browser plug-in)
- Microsoft Word
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: American Psychological Association 7th Edition (APA 7th edition)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
m.roberts@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
1. Getting a job
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
2. Starting a business
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
3. Marketing, intellectual property and risk management
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
4. Finances, clients and the big picture
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
5. The Business Model Canvas - Value Blocks
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
6.The Business Model Canvas - Efficiency Blocks
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
7.Patterns: Unbundled, Long Tail and Multi-Sided Platform business models
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
8.Patterns: Free and Open business models
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
9. Design: Customer Insights and Ideation
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
10. Design: Visual Thinking and Prototyping
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
11.Design: Storytelling and Scenarios
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
12. Strategy and Process
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
REQUIRED RESOURCES
You must have access to the following resources for this unit.
UNIT WEBSITE
The unit website provides essential resources for the unit such as a Study Guide and an online discussion forum. It can be accessed at moodle.cqu.edu.au
TEXTBOOKS
You will need to obtain a copy of the prescribed textbooks. Details are provided in this unit profile. An eBook is available through the unit eReading List.
SAFARI O'REILLY
As a student you will be required to log into Safari O'Reilly with your CQUni student login to access free online resources, such as the unit textbooks as well as access to a large library for research purposes. There are links provided to these resources via the eReading List for the unit.
STUDY GUIDES
The weekly Study Guide will direct you to all of the essential readings and exercises for each module of the unit. The Study Guide is available in Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) from the unit website.
eREADING LIST
An eReading List will be available for this unit from the unit website. This list will provide easy access to readings, book chapters, videos and other resources.
DISCUSSION FORUM via TEAMS
An online discussion forum will be provided through the unit website for discussing matters that relate to the unit. The discussion forum is the primary means of support for online students who want assistance with tutorial exercises and assignments. This discussion forum will be hosted in Microsoft Teams - all students will be automatically enrolled/added to the team created for the unit. Microsoft Teams can be easily accessed online - however, students may prefer to download the app for convenient access.
ADOBE ACROBAT READER
You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is a free program that lets you view, navigate and print PDF documents like the MMST13017 Study Guide. Adobe Acrobat Reader can be downloaded from the Adobe web site at www.adobe.com.
1 Written Assessment
This assignment requires you to imagine that you are starting a small lifestyle business within the digital media industries, and to prepare a business plan with the aid of a template.
Please refer to the unit website for the assignment details.
Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence agents (Gen AI)
Within this assessment, the use of Gen AI agents is as follows:
- Gen AI may only be used as specified in the assignment instructions.
Please refer to the Moodle Assessment tile for specific details.
Vacation Week Monday (14 Apr 2025) 11:55 pm AEST
2 weeks after submission
Please refer to the unit website for the detailed assessment criteria.
- Develop plans for starting, running and growing a small business
2 Case Study
This assignment requires you to describe and analyse the business model of an existing business using the Business Model Canvas. You must also write a report that explains the nine building blocks of your Business Model Canvas and discusses how your chosen business resembles one of the Business Model Patterns described in chapter two of the textbook.
Please refer to the unit website for the assignment details.
Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence agents (Gen AI)
Within this assessment, the use of Gen AI agents is as follows:
- Gen AI may only be used as specified in the assignment instructions.
Please refer to the Moodle Assessment tile for specific details.
Week 9 Monday (12 May 2025) 11:55 pm AEST
2 weeks after submission
Please refer to the unit website for the detailed assessment criteria.
- Analyse the business models of existing organisations, and recognise business model patterns
- Critically evaluate a business model and examine its environment
3 Report
This assignment requires you to design a business model for an innovative new business that uses digital technology to provide a novel product or service. You must create a Business Model Canvas to describe your business model.
To complete the Business Model Canvas, you must prepare a Value Proposition Canvas and demonstrate evidence of undertaking a range of techniques and tools in the development of your final Business Model Canvas. You must also write a report that explains the Business Pattern and nine building blocks of your Business Model Canvas and evaluates your model with a ‘Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats’ (SWOT) analysis.
Please refer to the unit website for the assignment details.
Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence agents (Gen AI)
Within this assessment, the use of Gen AI agents is as follows:
- Gen AI may only be used as specified in the assignment instructions.
Please refer to the Moodle Assessment tile for specific details.
Review/Exam Week Monday (9 June 2025) 11:55 pm AEST
2 weeks after submission
Please refer to the unit website for the detailed assessment criteria.
- Analyse the business models of existing organisations, and recognise business model patterns
- Design innovative business models, employing techniques such as customer insights, ideation, visual thinking, prototyping, storytelling and scenarios
- Critically evaluate a business model and examine its environment
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.
What can you do to act with integrity?
