The student team will investigate the software idea (e.g. users, functionalities, etc.), do market research, and create a clear value proposition including a pricing model. The resulting Product Proposition will offer insight in the following product management topics:

1. Product vision: Direction for the future of the product.
2. Product definition
   1. Intended use and users
   2. Functional scope
   3. Quality scope
3. Product (Market) Positioning: Based on the Lean Business Model Canvas
4. Business view: Business objective(s) and Business case for the full product life cycle.

Please note: The students will not build the actual software as part of this course. Instead, they will extensively investigate what the product proposition can be, which a Product Manager or Product Owner can approach the market with to further validate the idea.

✅ Key features of the challenge

• Students per team: 4-5 students
• Course: Software Development and Product Management
• Programme: Master Computer Science
• No. of hours spent per team: 200 hours
• Duration: September 4 – December 11
• Deliverables: Software Product proposition
• Company time investment: Your time involvement is 10-16 hours in total (e.g. weekly (short) meetings, interviews, final presentation, etc.)
• Matching fee: €850,- (ex tax, charged by Master Challenge (NOT the university))

📑 Challenge Examples

Any new software innovation project can be suitable. For some examples, see:

• A recommender system for a webshop
• Software to make one or more business processes more efficient
• Data Leakage Detection Software
• A tool to better communicate and interact with employees
• Patient tracking software
• Ticket booking and reservation software

Please note that the students will not build the actual software as part of this course. Instead, they will extensively investigate what the product proposition can be with which a Product Manager or Product Owner can approach the market.

🏢 Requirement for participating companies

• Any companies/organizations from any industry can apply
• Especially suitable for early stage startups or entrepreneurs with a (validated) business idea but no (finished) product yet.
• Available for (bi)weekly update sessions with the team

💰 Costs

Master Challenge charges a matching fee of €850,- (ex tax) per team. This is to be able to further operate and close the gap between education and practice.

❗️You will only be charged when matched to a team.

📨 How to apply

You can submit the challenge directly through the website. Provide a title that summarises the challenge. Subsequently, briefly elaborate on your challenge. See link for a template you could use: https://link.masterchallenge.me/challenge-template or use the challenge generator: https://masterchallenge.me/challenge-generator

🗓 Planning

• June 19: Deadline for submitting your challenge
• August 22 (or sooner): Receiving message if your challenge is approved by the Course Coordinator
• September 5-9: Matching phase
  • September 5: Student teams rank the challenges
  • September 9: Challenge owners rank the student teams
• September 10: Matches are communicated
• September 11-17: Kick-off meeting with your team
• December 8-11: Handover and final presentation to project sponsor.

Questions? Want to discuss your challenge before submitting one? Feel free to schedule a call 👉 here.