Project is a compulsory part of the MBA programme. As part of the curriculum during the last Semester, students are required to take up MBA project work in their area of specialization for the successful completion of the MBA Program. The project binds together academic concepts learned during MBA programme by students in their specialized functional domain, enabling them to apply academic theory and principles to handle the real managerial issues. Students are required to conduct an in depth study into a particular organization or business area using the knowledge and skills they developed through the academic programme.

What is MBA Project Work?

With an intensive study on a topic, MBA students would explore the subject in detail, gather information and explain the same, seek challenges if any after investigation, the methods used to solve the problem, the results of the investigation and the conclusions inferred and a set of recommendations that can be implemented. The MBA project can be descriptive with existing systems/ prevailing conditions of the topic under Research. In exploratory study students will explore the area of study, by introducing new augments to the existing system and draw inferences and projections. MBA project work is a practical learning experience, and student will be expected to take initiative in planning and executing the project under the guidance of a dedicated guide from industry with specialist knowledge of their area of interest. It enables student to apply the conceptual knowledge in a practical situation and to learn the art and science of conducting a study in a systematic way and presenting its findings in the form of project report. Though different University has its own guideline but usually MBA project is equivalent to one full course.

What to Study in MBA Project work?

Organisation Profile

MBA project work are mostly carried out for study of any problem area of an organization. It can also be comparison study of many organizations in an industry. MBA project work should preferably be carried out for the organization where a student has approach or allowed for such study.

Problem Statement

For MBA Project work, a student should identify the problem he/she intends to study, and it should be in the area of specialisation like Marketing, Human Resource Management, Finance & Accounting, Operations or Business Analytics. A student can select the topic for his/her MBA project by reading different literature reviews on the intended area of study. Students should check the access to the organisational & industry information, data and references for the study.

Literature Review

A review of the Literature i.e. the studies done so far, the topics studied will give a comprehensive view to the student as to which area of study is found wanting or there is a lacuna. Thus a student will be able to select the area of study which is most recent and has most application. This information can be acquired by reading periodicals and recent publications. For project study, a part time MBA student, if working  can select his own organization in which he/she is employed or choose some other organization or could take up an industry vertical.

Types of MBA Project Work

MBA project must be carried out in the area of specialization and it may be from any one of the following types.

• Comprehensive Case Study
• Organizational Study
• Field Study
• Research Study
• Review Study
• Analytical Study

Selection of Title for MBA Project work

Based on functional area of choice and subject of specialisation, the student in consultation with his/her project guide must finalize and suggest a suitable project title for the project. The suggested title should suitably explain the project study scope and rationale in a summarized form. The project title should not be too lengthy nor too short and must be precise enough to explain the study. Usually a title should be firmed up at the final stage of a project work.

Stages of Doing MBA Project Work

There are two stages in MBA project work

Stage -1   (a) Project synopsis preparation, submission and approval by the University
                 (b) Project guide’s bio-data submission and approval by the University

Stage -2  Project Report Submission includes following work:

                         (a) Conducting Project Study

                         (b) Preparing Project Report

                         (c) Project Report Submission

How to Prepare MBA Project Synopsis

Project synopsis provides an outline of the project work to be undertaken by a student. Once selected a suitable topic (preferably in area of Specialization), defined the problems and topic, and outlined the manner in which the project study is to be conducted, the next step is to prepare the project synopsis. Project synopsis should be of about 1000 to 1200 words, is a proposal for research project which the student will carry out in consultation with the guide. A synopsis helps the reader to ascertain the purpose of carrying the project work and acts as a stand-alone entity for the complete project work.  

A synopsis should cover the following aspects:

(i) The study hypotheses (null or alternative hypotheses, if applicable)

(ii) Literature Review (secondary sources) is the evaluation of substantive findings and theoretical and methodological contribution to a particular topic. It is a critical analysis of the previous research conducted by others in a particular field.

(d) Research methodology adopted is the implementation of methods or techniques to efficiently solve a research problem, which helps the reader to assess the validity and reliability of the study. Research methodology constitutes of Research Design i.e Descriptive, Conclusive, Causal or Exploratory Sampling Technique: Probability or Non-Probability, Tools used for data collection i.e questionnaire, survey etc. Data preparation and analysis i.e. classification, tabulation of data and analysis of primary data.

(e) Results (theoretical or empirical) or findings of the study are to be summarized as Data interpretation and elaboration of findings of the research.

(f) Recommendation: Suggestions based on critical analysis of the results or data analysis.

With the aforementioned inputs and details of project guide, a synopsis should be submitted to the University for Review and approval.

Stage -2 Project Report Submission

(a) Starting the Project Work

Once the project study is planned and commenced, if the synopsis is ‘Approved’ by the faculty, student can start further working on the project. If synopsis is ‘Approved with Modification’ student are not required to resubmit synopsis. However, students would be required to include the suggested modifications, in the final Project Report. Project work should be undertaken only after the project synopsis is Approved or Approved with Modification by the faculty reviewer.

(b) Preparing the Project Report

Format of project report

Entire MBA project report text starting from cover page to the last page should be made as per the University guidelines i.e font, page numbering, formatting, indexing etc should be as specified.  

(C) Components of a Project Report

1. Cover page
2. Declaration Certificate
3. Certificate from Guide
4. Acknowledgement by the student
5. Table of Contents
6. List of abbreviations 
7. List of tables and figures
8. Approved Synopsis or Executive Summary
9. Preface
10. Significance of the Problem
11. Objective and Scope of Study
12. Theoretical Perspective
13. Introduction to the Organisation
14. Research Methodology
15. Data Analysis and Interpretations
16. Conclusions and Recommendations
17. Bibliography in American

The chapter titles suggested in the main report as above are illustrative for a research-based study. Based on nature and need of the MBA project, a student can choose and incorporate suitable chapter titles accordingly.

Main Report

The main report should follow the chapter scheme which has been indicated in the synopsis. Generally, the sequential presentation should be as follows:

Introduction: This chapter should provide a background of the problem and what is proposed to be studied/investigated.

The significance of the problem, the objective and the scope of the study and the contribution and impact of the study should be elaborated.

A brief description of the organization where you have conducted the project should be provided.

Theoretical Perspective: This chapter should give an overview of the theoretical concepts related to the problem under study. A student should refer to the status of research in the area and major findings thereof. These should bring out the necessity for a study of the kind you have undertaken and the approach you intend to follow. In case any literature review has been carried out, it should be included in this chapter.

Research Methods: This chapter should describe in detail the steps followed in completing the study. If a sample survey was done, the basis of sampling, its size etc. should be discussed. The sources of primary and secondary data must be stated and the way you have processed the data should be elaborated. In case any Literature review has been carried on, it should be included in this Chapter.

Data Analysis and Interpretations: Presentation of the relevant data and analysis and discussion thereon form the main body of the report. Develop your argument logically to build your theme, presenting data wherever necessary.

Conclusions and Recommendations: While concluding a student should take care that his conclusion is matching with the title of the project and objectives set in the project. Students must give different suggestions to the company which will act as a solution to all those problems the researcher has identified with product or services or methods applied.

Bibliography: A bibliography is a list of published sources consulted during project work. It includes books and research journals, web sites, newspapers etc used.