EMBA-MBAPROJECT GUIDELINES-Current[1]

8/7/2019 EMBA-MBAPROJECT GUIDELINES-Current[1]

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/emba-mbaproject-guidelines-current1 1/7

GIMPA BUSINESS SCHOOLEMBA/MBA PROJECT GUIDELINES

INTRODUCTION

The EMBA/MBA Project is compulsory for all students and is completed after all

courses have been taken. It is a vehicle for students to integrate what they have

learned during the program and to apply a variety of concepts and skills to

addressing real life managerial problems. Specifically, the project is designed to do

the following:

1. Integrate knowledge gained across the curriculum;

2. Provide students an opportunity to demonstrate their project management

skills;

3. Relate the academic content of the curriculum to the practice of

management

Project work should involve a real, well-defined business problem or issue. Think of

it as working for a client which may be a/an;

• company

• government

• not-for-profit organization

• industry

• entrepreneur

Typically, a project will focus on an aspect of management relevant to a start-up or

ongoing business. It will usually involve one of the following:

• Business Plan

• Feasibility Study

• Marketing Plan

• Case Study involving an assessment or other focus on an organization



Project examples:

• Market assessment

• Develop a marketing strategy plan for a new or existing product

• Develop a business plan

• Organization assessment in general or functional area

• Operations evaluation

• Strategic plan

• Human resource audit

• Marketing audit

• Industry analysis

• Assessment of company competencies

• Develop a strategy for a key business activity

Thus, the focus is not on an academic research project but rather on addressing

specific managerial issues. Naturally research may be a component of this but it is

not the end result.

Students engaged in case studies must ensure that they are not using the term

“project” as a name for less than rigorous research. If a case study is essentially a

piece of academic research then it must fully meet the requirements of that type of

research.

The applied project is the capstone of learning in the

EMBA/MBA program.

It enables students to synthesize and apply the body of

knowledge learned in the program to a real-world

business situation.

FOR MBA STUDENTS THE PROJECT MUST BE IN YOUR AREA

OF SPECIALIZATION



PROJECT REPORT

Each project report must contain the following elements:

1. Chapter 1: Introduction

• Introduce the subject matter of the project

• Provide a background to the project

• Describe project objectives

• Explain the significance and relevance of the project

2. Chapter 2: Literature Review

• Provide an integrative review of past studies that relate to the subject

matter of the project e.g. if you are doing a feasibility study your

literature review must cover what it entails, approaches, limitations,

etc. This is where a student demonstrates a familiarity with the

management literature pertaining to the subject matter of the project.

3. Chapter 3: Conceptual Framework

• In this chapter the student describes the particular

theory/concept/framework/approach/model that will be used to

address the managerial issue that is the subject matter of the project.Essentially a student must justify the use of one approach as opposed

to others. This should flow from the literature review

4. Chapter 4: Project Execution

• This should be the main part of the report. It is in this chapter that you

describe the plan, conduct the case study, design and carry out

research relevant to addressing the managerial issue, drawing up the

plan, etc..

• Sample plans, feasibility studies and case studies are easily available

on the internet. These should be consulted as they provide excellent

guidance.

5. Chapter 5: Conclusions

• Describe the major end results of the project.

• What recommendations would you make?



• What are its limitations?

• What have you learned?

REMEMBER THERE ARE NO PAGE REQUIREMENTS. AS A MANAGER YOU MUST LEARN

TO EXERCISE GOOD JUDGEMENT! YOUR SUPERVISOR WILL PROVIDE YOU WITH

GUIDANCE ON THIS.

EVALUATION CRITERIA

In general all projects will be graded on content and style in relation to project

objectives. Good writing and organization are essential. See the detailed Project

Grading Scheme below.

GRADING SCHEMES

A. CORPORATE/BUSINESS/MARKETING PLANS

1. Introduction/Problem Statement 5

points

Clear description of background to project and overview of the write-up

2. Literature Review 5 points

Should cover planning

3. Company’s vision, mission, core values & objectives

5 points

4. Environmental Analysis 10 points

Economics, Political, Regulatory, Industry, Market, Competition,

Technology

5. Situation Analysis/ SWOT Summary and Critical Success Factors

15 points

A company’s situation analysis: Strategies and Performance



Factors that contribute to success in the industry

6. Corporate Plan Objectives and Strategies 15

points

How specific are they to the issues and problems identified in previous

sections? Are strategies real and implementable?

7. Business/Marketing Plan Objectives and Strategies

20 points

How consistent are they with the Corporate Plan? Are strategies detailed

and actionable with clear goals to be achieved and consistent with

previous sections?

8. Implementation 20 points

Is there a process that clearly identifies stages, targets, commitment of

resources, tactical decisions, deadlines, monitoring and evaluation?

9. References & Appendices 5 points

Sources of information

Research data, sample contracts, etc.

B. CASE STUDIES

1. Introduction/Problem Statement 5

points

Clear description of background to project and overview of

the write-up


Should cover case study methodology and the theoretical

writing bearing on the subject matter of the case study

3. Company’s vision, mission, core values & objectives

5 points



4. Environmental Analysis 10 points


Technology. Quality of this analysis including any research

5. Situation Analysis/ SWOT Summary/Critical Success Factors15 points

A company’s situation analysis: Strategies and Performance

Quality of any research

Identification of factors that contribute to success in the industry

6. Identification of Central Managerial Issue 20

points

How well is this related to and supported by the analysis in

sections 4 and 5? Clarity of arguments. Are they believable

on the basis of facts and data provided by the student?

Quality of the data.

7. Alternative Courses of Action and Recommendations 10

points

Do they address the central managerial issue? How well?

8. Implementation of Recommendations 20 points






C. FEASIBILITY STUDIES/ ASSESSMENTS

1. Background to Project 15 points

Clear description of background to project including purpose and



objectives


Should cover feasibility studies and subject area of project

3. Situation Analysis/ SWOT Summary and Critical Success Factors15 points


and Technology Factors

Factors that contribute to success in the industry

4. Estimates of Revenues, Costs and Profits 30

points

How believable are they? Do they factor in risks? Is there sensitivity

analysis?

5. Implementation 20 points






June 25, 2009

Documents

EMBA-MBAPROJECT GUIDELINES-Current[1]