Identify and clearly explain a specific local issue, customer need, or business opportunity.

Assessment Guide

BM632 Managing & Developing Innovation & Creativity

BM632 PR1: Film presentation (10 minutes) with a written report (1200 words)

Assignment Brief: Local Innovation Challenge (Individual Challenge).

For BM632 Assignment, You are required to explore and propose an innovative idea that supports the growth, sustainability, or impact of a local independent organisation within your town centre. This could involve an existing small business, a charity, a not-for-profit organisation, or a completely new venture that you design.

The objective is to identify a clear gap, challenge, or unmet need within the local market and develop a creative, practical solution that demonstrates both originality and commercial or social viability. Your final submission (presentation video) should clearly communicate and “pitch” your idea, showcasing both your innovation thinking and professional communication skills.

Note: You must focus on independent organisations, local initiatives, or your own original idea. Large chains or franchises are not permitted.

What You Need to Do

1. Define the Opportunity

Identify and clearly explain a specific local issue, customer need, or business opportunity. This may relate to:

• Supporting independent local businesses through new offerings

• Addressing sustainability or environmental concerns

• Improving customer experience or accessibility

• Creating a new start-up concept

• Enhancing ethical or community-focused practices etc. 

2. Conduct Research

Support your idea with relevant evidence, including:

• Secondary (desk) research such as reports, articles, or market data

• Primary research where appropriate (e.g. surveys, interviews, observations)

This research should justify the need for your proposed solution.

3. Generate and Select Ideas

Use creative thinking techniques to develop multiple potential solutions.

Evaluate these options and select the strongest idea based on:

• Feasibility

• Potential impact

• Alignment with the identified problem/opportunity

Provide clear justification for your final choice.

4. Apply Innovation Frameworks

Demonstrate your understanding of innovation processes by applying at least one recognised model, such as:

• Innovation funnel models (Tidd and Bessant, 2020)

• Design thinking frameworks (Utley and Klebhan, 2021)

Show how your idea evolves through this process.

5. Use Problem-Solving Tools

Incorporate appropriate techniques to analyse and refine your idea, such as:

• Brainstorming or mind mapping

• Cause-and-effect analysis

• Creative modification tools (e.g. SCAMPER)

Explain how these tools contributed to your development process.

6. Implementation Plan (12 Months)

Develop a structured plan outlining how your solution could be introduced over the next year. Include:

• Key milestones and stages

• Required resources (financial, human, physical)

• Stakeholder involvement and collaboration

• A clear timeline

7. Strategic and Project Considerations

Demonstrate your ability to think like a project manager or junior executive by including:

• Basic business or operational planning

• Stakeholder mapping and engagement strategies

• Strategic considerations relevant to your idea

8. Risk and Innovation Audit

Evaluate potential risks and barriers to success. Consider:

• Market demand and readiness

• Legal or regulatory factors

• Resource constraints

• Community acceptance or participation

Suggest ways to mitigate these challenges.