Lesson Plan

• Describe how product, process, information and service technologies influence key business functions.
• Analyse the benefits and challenges of technological change for operations, marketing, finance, HR and strategic management.
• Apply the six‑step decision‑making process and quantitative tools (NPV, pay‑back, IRR) to evaluate a technology investment.
• Evaluate diffusion models to recommend appropriate timing for technology adoption.
• Justify technology choices against strategic objectives, financial impact and risk considerations.

• Projector and screen
• Whiteboard and markers
• Printed case‑study handouts
• Worksheet with decision‑making template
• Calculators or laptops/tablets for NPV calculations
• PowerPoint slides of diffusion models

Begin with a short video showing a factory line transformed by robotics to capture students’ interest. Ask learners what they already know about how technology can change the way businesses operate. Explain that by the end of the lesson they will be able to evaluate a technological investment and justify the decision using business analysis tools.

1. Do‑now (5') – Quick quiz on types of technology and their basic definitions.
2. Mini‑lecture (10') – Overview of product, process, IT and service technologies and their impacts on business functions (slides).
3. Group analysis (15') – In small groups, examine the impact table, discuss positive effects and challenges for a chosen function, and record key points.
4. Decision‑making simulation (20') – Using a case study, follow the six‑step adoption process; calculate NPV and discuss financing options.
5. Diffusion model activity (10') – Map the case‑study technology onto Rogers’ adoption lifecycle and identify appropriate market entry timing.
6. Plenary (5') – Review the checklist for technology decisions, complete an exit‑ticket question on the most critical factor to consider.

Summarise how technological change can create both opportunities and threats, and reinforce the decision‑making steps and analytical tools covered. Students complete an exit ticket stating the single factor they would prioritize when recommending a new technology. For homework, each learner selects a recent real‑world technology adoption and writes a brief report evaluating it against the lesson’s checklist.