How to involve industry in your capstone class to create an authentic IT project experience : The experience of HEC Montréal

Pierre-Majorique Léger, Ph.D.Gilbert Babin, Ph.D.

Rigorousinbusinessanalysis

Skilledatcommunicating

theirideas

Creativeindesigningtechnologicalsolutions

Abletocollaborateinmultidisciplinaryteams

IT Undergraduate Program at HEC Montréal

IT Capstone Project : 12 weeks to prepare a proposal and a prototype for an industry partner

A request for quote approachDesign thinking orientedA problem based learningIndustrial partner acts as the customerA real world experience Course description (in French) : https://youtu.be/zg6p05w1mKg

The Partner’s PerspectiveThe problem

• Real or fictuous• Sufficiently complex• Disclosable!

Engagement with the students• Presentation of the problem• Requirements elicitation• Mid-project presentation• Final presentation

Year Partner

2015 Deloitte

2014 Uniselect

2013 Metro

2012 Metro

2011 L’Oréal

2010 IBM

2009 Ratiopharm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xswB577HN80

2015 Deloitte Challenge

The Students’ PerspectiveApplying IT knowledge in an authentic and risk-free context Learning to manage the customer relationshipLearning to pick your battles !Making a convincing business proposalDoing a live demonstration of the prototypeHave the opportunity to showcase their readiness for the job market! Testimonials from students (in French)

https://youtu.be/18cg7uEk6jE

2016 : Five challenges !

h:ps://youtu.be/nMflVseerRs h:ps://youtu.be/6geXXclizMU h:ps://youtu.be/jC-zJG0cJWE

h:ps://youtu.be/TZyDT9DUlQI h:ps://youtu.be/9DswPk-AEXg

Lessons learned from past decadeRecruiting and interacting with the partners(s)Managing course logisticsConstructing TeamsAdjusting course content to account for the dynamic nature of the projectOrganizing final presentation and networking cocktail with industryMore info: • « Léger, P. M., Lyle, D., Babin, G., Charland, P., and Pellerin, R. 2013. ”Scope

Management: A Core Information System Implementation Project Pedagogy,” International Education Studies, (6:3), pp. 55-65. »