Startup Simulation with Real-World
Challenges
Group Formation: Divide the 70 students into groups of
5-7 members. Each group will act as a startup
company.
Role Allocation: Within each group, students will take
on different functional roles such as:
CEO
HR Manager
Marketing Manager
Finance Manager
Operations Manager
IT Manager
Startup Challenges: Design a series of challenges that
the startups must overcome, based on current HRM
trends and issues. Each challenge will be linked to an
HRM concept covered in class. Examples include:
Recruitment and Selection: Develop a recruitment
strategy to attract top talent in a competitive
market, considering the impact of AI and
automation on hiring processes1.
Employee Engagement: Create an employee
engagement plan to boost morale and productivity,
addressing the challenges of hybrid work
environments2.
Performance Management: Design a performance
appraisal system that incorporates continuous
feedback and development, aligning with the shift
towards skills-first HR1.
Conflict Resolution: Implement strategies to
resolve conflicts within the team, focusing on
maintaining a positive organizational culture2.
Training and Development: Develop a training
program to reskill employees, addressing the
ongoing need for adaptability in the workforce3.
Diversity and Inclusion: Create a diversity and
inclusion strategy that goes beyond compliance,
fostering a truly inclusive workplace3.
In-Class Sessions
Introduction to HRM Concepts: Begin each session with
a brief lecture or discussion on the HRM concept for
that day.
Challenge Presentation: Present the startup challenge
related to the HRM concept. Provide clear instructions
and expectations.
Group Work: Allow groups to work together to develop
solutions to the challenge. Encourage collaboration and
critical thinking.
Presentation and Feedback: Have each group present
their solutions to the class. Provide feedback and
facilitate a discussion on the different approaches.
Individual Accountability
Role-Specific Tasks: Ensure each student has specific
tasks related to their role. For example, the HR
Manager might be responsible for developing the
recruitment strategy, while the Finance Manager
handles budget considerations.
Progress Reports: Require periodic progress reports
from each group, detailing individual contributions.
Peer Evaluation: Implement a peer evaluation system
to assess individual contributions.
Reflection Papers: Ask each student to submit a
reflection paper on their experience and contributions
to the startup simulation.
Assessment Rubric (10 Marks)
Group Component (6 Marks):
Quality and Feasibility of Solutions (2 Marks): Are the
solutions practical and well-researched? Do they
address the challenge effectively?
Creativity and Innovation (1 Mark): Are the solutions
creative and innovative? Do they offer unique
approaches to the challenge?
Clarity and Professionalism of Presentations (1 Mark):
Are the presentations clear, well-organized, and
professional?
Comprehensive and Well-Structured Reports (2 Marks):
Are the reports detailed, well-structured, and
comprehensive?
Individual Component (4 Marks):
Contribution to Group Work and Role-Specific Tasks (2
Marks): Did the student actively contribute to the group
work and fulfill their role-specific responsibilities?
Quality of Individual Work (1 Mark): Is the individual
work (e.g., research, analysis, writing) of high quality?
Peer Evaluation Scores (0.5 Mark): How do peers rate
the student’s contributions and teamwork?
Reflection Paper Insights (0.5 Mark): Does the reflection
paper provide meaningful insights into the student’s
learning experience and contributions?
