The goal is to make recommendations that fundamentally

improve the probable success of the client site

1

The group begins by understanding the business, its goals/mission and strategy, and identifies

issues facing the company that constrain the client site implementing its strategy

Through analysis and application of concepts from the MBA curriculum the group develops

strategic alternatives and recommends a course of action

The recommendations will be tactical and aligned to deliver the strategy to reach the client’s goals

Recommendations & Implementable Tactics

Client Site’s Goals

Strategy

Identification of Issues

Analysis of Alternatives

The eight-month study is a multi-phased approach

The project is executed in five distinct phases

The client site receives a presentation and comprehensive report at the end of the final phase

containing outputs from each phase along with the recommendations and implementation plan

1 – Preliminary Assessment

2 – Research & Analysis

3 – Strategic Direction

4 – Final Report &

Presentation

5 – Client Site Presentation

Describe internal & external environment

Conduct preliminary assessment of client site

Prepare research plan and project plan

Amend final report and presentation

Present to client

Provide a comprehensive analysis of internal & external environment

Assess issues and alternatives (preliminary)

Finalize key issues & rationale

Evaluate alternatives, and develop recommendations

Provide highlights of strategic assessment

Explain and provide rationale for key issues, recommendation and

implementation plan

Phase Key Deliverables

2

The Schulich MBA group actively collaborates with the Client Site

3

Active collaboration between the MBA group and the client involves two-way communications at

regular intervals through stakeholder interviews and updates

The MBA group will discuss the research proposal and project progress

The client will keep the MBA group up-to-date on business developments that can impact the

project and value delivered

The Schulich MBA group and faculty are bound by the confidentiality agreement between

the School and Client Site to protect any confidential material received

Strategy Field Study Requirements From Client Site

This MUST include:

Complete access to all elements of client site operations is crucial to conduct a detailed

research study that delivers high-value to the client and meets the MBA program requirements

Financials Executives

& Staff Systems

Customers &

Suppliers

The client site benefits from having a Schulich MBA group

independently study their organization

Independent &

Detailed Analysis

Practical

Recommendations

An in-depth and objective analysis of the client site, its operations, financials,

and environment (e.g. market/industry trends, customer analysis)

An independent MBA group studying the organization can provide a fresh

perspective to the organization at no cost

Specific recommendations are derived from the study to address strategic

issues the client site faces

An implementation plan is provided to execute the recommended actions. The

scope of implementation plan depends on identified client needs

4

Diverse, Fresh

Perspectives

The group brings insights from strategy and management concepts delivered

in the MBA curriculum

The group brings its own diverse experience and backgrounds to ask different

questions and bring s fresh perspectives to the business

This provides opportunities for healthy internal discussion on strategy

An MBA student group provides a high value-added service to the client site that may allow the

organization to overcome barriers in successfully reaching goals

The client site receives tangible (report and presentation) and intangible benefits by engaging an

independent group to assess their organization and its business environment