IT EXCELLENCE
COMPETITION
Competition Categories
In the 2005-2006 academic year, the competition includes two award categories:
New IT Product or Service
This award is for the most promising
and innovative application of information technology. A working prototype
must be developed to demonstrate feasibility and its proposed usage
demonstrated. The proposal may be a new product or service that is part of
a new business venture or part of an expansion to new markets or customer
needs.
Business Transformation Initiative
This award is for the most innovative
transformation design, developed in response to the requirements of an
existing business. Participants must complete analysis of business
requirements and provide management level documentation of the analysis,
potential solutions, and a recommendation, which may involve the integration
of existing products. (Prototype optional.)
Separate prizes will be
awarded for entries in each category.
The IT
Excellence Competition is open to any Temple student, faculty, staff, or
alumnus.
Entering the Competition
A short email describing the initiative and listing
group members should be submitted by March 3, 2006 to Paul Weinberg (weinberg@temple.edu).
Finalist’s Documentation
A final PowerPoint presentation and an executive
summary, should be submitted by April 26, 2006 using email (also to Paul
Weinberg). Normally PowerPoints from project courses can be used.
Judges will meet on April 28 to select finalists.
Finals Presentation
Finalists will be invited to present their work at
an awards ceremony on May 2, 2006 during which the prize winners will be
selected. The final PowerPoint presentation, and a prototype, if
applicable, should be presented.
The email should include:
Overall objective.
Outline of the new IT product or service
or
Outline of the business transformation initiative
What the completed analysis and prototype (if applicable)
will demonstrate.
Group Members and
contact information
Judging of projects will
be based on credibility of the initiative, scope, and imagination. Final
presentations will be limited to 15 minutes. The quality of the materials
and the management decisions that can be made from the presentations, will
be emphasized. Short succinct presentations will be valued. In particular,
you should convince the judges through your executive summary and
presentation that:
-
You have fully analyzed
the business environment and requirements.
-
You have considered all
options.
-
Your recommendations are
sound.
-
Your plan for proceeding
is complete (including financial considerations).
-
Your approach is
innovative.
-
You have a plan for
managing the risks and assuring success.
-
You can respond to ad-hoc
questions regarding your initiative.
Your presentation should
provide a summary of your initiative:
-
The overall objective of
the initiative including the problem being solved
-
Business background
(competition, history of similar initiatives, etc.)
-
Business rationale for
the product, service, or business transformation
-
Market opportunity
-
How revenue, profits, or
service improvements will be generated
-
Key requirements
-
Options considered
-
Results of the analysis
and/or prototype demonstration
Two
prizes will be offered. Typically, one prize will be awarded for the best
prototype of a new IT product or service ($2000), and one for the best
solution to business transformation requirements ($2000). However, the
judges may decide to award both prizes in the same category or in the case
of sub-standard entries to only award one prize or no prize.
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