Instructor Notes Module 1: Course
Overview
Introduction
This module provides students with an overview of both the Business Solutions
Design Curriculum and this course. By the end of the module, students should
have an understanding of the concepts and skills they will learn in the course.
They should also be able to describe a project vision document, the first draft of
which they will be able to create by the end of the course.
After completing this module, students will be able to:
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Describe how the course fits into the entire Business Solutions Design
Curriculum.
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Describe how they will use the curriculum case study to apply the principles
they will learn in the course.
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Describe the benefits they will gain by attending the course.
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Describe where gathering and analyzing business requirements fits into the
Microsoft
®
Solutions Framework (MSF) Process Model.
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Describe the components of a vision document.
Materials and Preparation
This section provides you with the materials and preparation needed to teach
this module.
Materials
To teach this module, you need the following materials:
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on group projects.
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It helps students see that they already possess many of the skills needed to
gather and analyze information.
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It provides you with the opportunity to assess students’ current skill level as
it relates to the course material.
Students may not be accustomed to working in groups during a course.
Periodically remind students of the time remaining to complete the activities so
that they can keep on track.
Questions for Class Discussion
The following questions can help start a discussion at the end of the activity:
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Which part of the process was most difficult for your team?
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How did your team decide to approach the problem?
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Did you draw from your previous project experience to develop a strategy
for this activity?
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Do you have any questions about doing small group activities in this
course?
Instructor Notes Module 1: Course Overview 3

Module Strategy
Use the following strategy to present this module:
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conceptual design.
If students want to learn more about the MSF, refer them to the materials in
the Library on the Student CD and the other courses in the Business
Solutions Design Curriculum.
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Looking Forward
Use this last slide to verify students’ understanding of the MSF Process
Model and where this course fits within that model’s Envisioning Phase.
Next, emphasize the final product of the Envisioning Phase, the first draft of
the vision document, which they will create in the course. Explain the role
of the activities in slowly building towards that product. It is important for
students to know that they will be developing a product that they can take
away at the end of the course as a demonstration of their skills.
Finally, provide an overview of what students will learn in Modules 2 and 3.
This overview should give enough information that they can see what they
have learned in the current module in the context of the rest of the course.
4 Instructor Notes Module 1: Course Overview
As you discuss the main points of this slide, point to the modules on the
graphics in the slide. This will help students form an image of the
relationship of the information in the course.