15.358
Strategy in the Age of Digital Platforms
Considers key strategic concepts and frameworks useful for managers and entrepreneurs, such as the distinction between a product and a platform strategy as well as an innovation versus a transaction platform (or hybrid) business model. Relatively deep dive into novel hardware and software technologies that have stimulated new platforms, businesses, and startup companies. Topics may include: Generative AI as a new innovation platform and AI/ML ventures more broadly; Gig/sharing economy ventures; Fintech ventures; and new platform-like technologies in quantum computing and communications, as well as biotech. Classes consist of lectures, case studies, short videos, an occasional guest lecture, and occasionally some voluntary student presentations. Grading consists of two short reaction papers, as well as attendance and participation.
Fall 2005 · The Software Business
Topics
- Course Overview and Organization
- Strategy for Software Companies: What to Think About
- How Software Became a Business
- Microsoft® Case Study: Strategy, Management, Organization
- Managing Software Development: Basic Issues and Best Practices
- Software Sales
- Part 1: Software Marketing
- Open Source
- Software Business Overseas: Outsourcing and Innovation
- “Emerging” Software Technologies/Companies - Paper Presentations 1
- Wrap-Up
Readings
- Cusumano, Michael A. The Business of Software: What Every Manager, Programmer, and Entrepreneur Must Know in Good Times and Bad . New York, NY: Free Press, 2004. ISBN: 074321580X.
- Cusumano, Michael A., and Richard W. Selby. Microsoft® Secrets . New York, NY: Free Press, 1998. ISBN: 0684855313.
- Moore, Geoffrey. Crossing the Chasm: Marketing and Selling High-Tech Products to Mainstream Customers . Revised ed. New York, NY: HarperBusiness, 1999. ISBN: 0887307175.
- McConnell, Steve. Rapid Development . Redmond, WA: Microsoft Press, 1996. ISBN: 1556159005.
- Moody, Glyn. Rebel Code: Inside Linux® and the Open Source Revolution . Cambridge, MA: Perseus Publication, 2001. ISBN: 0738203335.
- Nesheim, John. High-Tech Start Up . New York, NY: Free Press, 2000. ISBN: 068487170X.
- Required Reading
- Cusumano. The Business of Software . Chapters 1 and 2, pp. 1-85.
- Shapiro, Carl, and Hal Varian. “The Art of the Standards Wars.” California Management Review , Winter 1999, pp. 8-32.
- Cusumano. The Business of Software . Chapter 3, pp. 86-127.
- Recommended Reading
- Campbell-Kelly. A History of the Software Industry .
- Cusumano and Selby. Microsoft® Secrets . Preface, pp. v-xvi; chapters 1-3, 6.
- Gawer, Annabelle, and Michael Cusumano. Platform Leadership . Boston, MA: Harvard Business School Press, 2002, pp. 134-162. ISBN: 1578515149.
- Greene, Jay. “Microsoft’s Midlife Crisis.” Business Week , April 19, 2004.
- Cusumano. The Business of Software . Chapter 4, pp. 128-185.
- Brooks, Frederick. “No Silver Bullet: Essence and Accidents of Software Engineering.” IEEE Computer , April 1987.
- Cusumano and Selby. Microsoft® Secrets . Chapters 4-5, pp. 187-326.
- Reference Articles
- Cusumano, M. et al. “Software Development Worldwide: The State of the Practice.” IEEE Software 20, no. 6 (November-December 2003): 28-34.
- MacCormack, Alan, et al. “Trade-offs between Productivity and Quality in Selecting Software Development Practices.” IEEE Software 20, no. 5 (September/October 2003): 78-85.
- Deighton, John, and Das Narayandas. “Siebel Systems: Anatomy of a Sale, Parts 1-3.” Harvard Business School Cases. Boston, MA: Harvard Business School Publishing. Cases: 9-503-021, 9-503-022, 9-503-023. August 26, 2002.
- Moore. Crossing the Chasm . Pp. 163-188.
- McMurry, R. “The Mystique of Super Salesmanship.” Harvard Business Review , March 1961, Reprint #61208.
- Part 1: Required Reading
- Moore. Crossing the Chasm . pp. 1-59.
- Hoch, Detlev J. et al. Secrets of Software Success . Boston, MA: Harvard Business School Press, 1999, chapter 6, pp. 121-158. ISBN: 1578511054.
- Part 2: Required Reading
- Cusumano. The Business of Software . Chapter 5, pp. 195-214.
- Part2: Recommended Reading
- Nesheim, John. High-Tech Start Up .
- “The Truth About Software Startups.” Sloan Management Review (Winter 2004): 7.
- Cusumano. The Business of Software . Pp. 120-125.
- Fuggetta, Alfonso. “Open Source and Free Software: A New Model for Software Development?” Unpublished paper, Politecnico di Milano, July 2004.
- Moody. Rebel Code .
- Cusumano. The Business of Software . Chapter 4, pp. 185-194.
- Kapur, Devesh, and Ravi Ramamurti. “India’s Emerging Competitive Advantage in Services.” Academy of Management Executive 15, no. 2 (2001).
- Cusumano. The Business of Software . Chapter 7, pp. 272-281.
Prerequisites & course information
Prereq: 15.900 or 15.902 G (Spring; second half of term) 3-0-3 units
Sources
- Course catalogue ↗2026–2027
- MIT OpenCourseWare ↗Fall 2005
- MIT OCW readings ↗
- MIT OCW calendar ↗
- MIT OCW syllabus ↗
- Historical MIT OpenCourseWare offering. Named reading entries and schedule topics are automatically extracted from the linked source pages.