An Integrated Full-Stack Entrepreneurship Curriculum: Disciplined Entrepreneurship and Startup Tactics
Entrepreneurship educators continually seek effective methods to not only convey theoretical knowledge but also to ensure practical applicability for their students. The combination of the 24 Steps from Disciplined Entrepreneurship with the 15 Tactics from Startup Tactics represents a forward-thinking strategy in entrepreneurship education. This post delves into how these methodologies can be integrated, specifically targeting educators already versed in the 24 Steps approach.
The 24 Steps encourages rigor in the development of an idea to reduce risk and the 15 Tactics focus on skills and action to turn the idea into a reality. This leads to traction and evidence to build conviction. The 24 Steps and 15 Tactics are distinct, but integrated. The concepts in the 24 Steps inform the decisions that are made in the 15 Tactics. For example, Step 11, the competitive position, will inform the messaging used in Tactic 6, sales. And the Cost of Customer Acquisition in Step 19 will inform how the financial model is built in Tactic 12. Learn more about how these frameworks are integrated here. Continue reading here for more about how to teach the two frameworks…
The Challenge of Theory Meets Practice
A common challenge in entrepreneurship education is bridging the gap between theoretical frameworks and their practical application. While the 24 Steps provide a comprehensive guide for starting a business, students often seek a clear pathway to apply these steps in real-world scenarios.
Strategies for Effective Integration
Adopting a strategic approach to intertwining the 24 Steps with the 15 Tactics can enhance the learning experience by offering a seamless transition from theory to practice.
Project-Based Learning Approach: Encouraging students to develop their business ideas into full-fledged plans fosters an environment of practical application. This mirrors the pedagogical approach of project-based courses that focus on the 24 Steps, guiding students from concept to detailed business plan.
Midpoint Transition to Tactics: Identifying a pivotal moment in the course to introduce Startup Tactics can effectively bridge the gap between the initial steps and tactical application. This could be after students have defined a beachhead market and value proposition, using real-world case studies or sessions focused on tactical exploration.
Action-Oriented Tactics Application: Courses dedicated to the exploration and application of the 15 Tactics encourage students to apply these strategies to their business plans actively. Through experimentation and iteration, students can achieve measurable outcomes, such as customer acquisition and fundraising strategies.
Benefits of an Integrated Curriculum
Integrating the 24 Steps with the 15 Tactics offers several advantages:
Comprehensive Learning Experience: This approach bridges theoretical knowledge with practical skills, offering students a holistic understanding of entrepreneurship.
Toolkit for Real-World Application: Transitioning smoothly from conceptual steps to actionable tactics provides students with a robust toolkit for real-world business challenges.
Confidence in the Curriculum: The integration of these methodologies not only bolsters the curriculum's relevance but also instills confidence among educators and students in the efficacy of their entrepreneurship education.
Developing and Implementing an Integrated Curriculum
In the pursuit of an integrated curriculum that combines Disciplined Entrepreneurship with Startup Tactics, we present a unique approach at MIT that serves as an exemplary model. Specifically, we offer two distinct yet complementary courses: 15.390 New Enterprises and 15.388 Venture Creation Tactics. The former is a project-based course that immerses teams in the 24 Steps of DE, guiding them from an initial idea to a comprehensive business plan. A crucial moment occurs at the course's midpoint where, upon establishing a beachhead market and other key milestones, a class session introduces Startup Tactics through a practical case study.
15.390 New Enterprises
This project-based course covers the 24 Steps from Disciplined Entrepreneurship in a project-based format. Teams start with an idea and build a comprehensive, rigorous business plan by the end of the semester. At the mid-point, once teams have a beachhead market, persona, quantified value proposition, and high level product specification based on their primary market research we use one class session to introduce Startup Tactics with a simple case.
15.388 Venture Creation Tactics
This action-oriented course covers the 15 Tactics from Startup Tactics. Students begin the course with a business plan (or if they don’t have one then they work with the MIT Orbit Generative AI business plan generator). Throughout the semester students explore the tactics, applying them to their business plan. After many experiments, students wrap up the semester with traction! This may include goals, customers, product, and plans for fundraising and hiring.
The MIT approach, by offering separate but interconnected courses, allows for a deep dive into both DE and Startup Tactics, enabling students to develop a thorough understanding and application of each methodology before seamlessly connecting them. This structure not only reinforces the foundational elements of entrepreneurship but also provides students with a tangible bridge to the application of tactics, setting a precedent for how entrepreneurship education can evolve to meet the needs of aspiring entrepreneurs globally.
This method of integration contrasts with innovative efforts seen elsewhere, such as in Denmark, where educators are experimenting with teaching both the Disciplined Entrepreneurship and Startup Tactics methodologies within the same semester. This approach allows students to build a strong foundation based in the first principles before quickly moving forward to test assumptions in the real-world. It also ensures that students who have a limited number of entrepreneurship courses take the most from their educational experience and develop the confidence to move forward.
The Path Forward
By weaving together the methodologies of the 24 Steps and the 15 Tactics, entrepreneurship educators can offer a more dynamic and actionable learning experience. This integrated approach not only prepares students for the complexities of starting a business but also sets a new standard in entrepreneurship education, ensuring the next generation of entrepreneurs is well-equipped to navigate the business landscape.
Special thanks to Conor O'Kane of the University of Otago in New Zealand for reading and sharing feedback on a draft of this article.