GIMPA BUSINESS SCHOOL

EMBA/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

2. Literature Review 10 points

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

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

Technology. Quality of this analysis including any research

5. Situation Analysis/ SWOT Summary/Critical Success Factors

15 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

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.

C. FEASIBILITY STUDIES/ ASSESSMENTS

1. Background to Project 15 points

Clear description of background to project including purpose and

objectives

2. Literature Review 10 points

Should cover feasibility studies and subject area of project

3. Situation Analysis/ SWOT Summary and Critical Success Factors

15 points

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

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

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

resources, tactical decisions, deadlines, monitoring and evaluation?

6. References & Appendices 5 points

Sources of information

Research data, sample contracts, etc.

June 25, 2009