SUMMER PROJECT GUIDELINES

( Author – Prof. Madhup Gandhi )

Summer Project Objectives

*Application of knowledge and techniques learned in the 1st year.
*To test, validate and challenge class-room learning
*Understand the organization and the real life situation prevailing there. This would improve
your perspective
*To improve the understanding of the functional area of the project (which should normally be
your area of major specialization)
*To appreciate interlinking of different functions and departments of the organization and the
need for coordinated work culture.

Project Duration
*ISCOM insists on 50 working days (excluding holidays and Sundays) to be spent in the
company as a part of the project work.
*The project work can commence immediately after PG examinations.
*Management Trainees shall finish the project by 09 th July 2011
*Extension of project duration without the permission of the Director will be considered as
unauthorized absence and will affect your attendance. It would also adversely affect
your placement prospects.

Project Evaluation

Physical Features of the Report

*Report shall be typed on white paper (A4 size bond) and made in 2 copies – one copy for the
Institute and one for the student.
*The typing shall be of standard letter size (12 font) black color using only one side of the paper
with double spacing.
*Margins: left - 35 mm, right - 20 mm, bottom - 20mm, top - 35 mm.
*Binding: Report shall be Rexene bound in black. Plastic and spiral bound project reports are
not accepted.
*Front cover: The front cover should contain the following details.
* TOP: The title in block capitals of 6 mm to 15 mm letters
* CENTER: Full name of the Management Trainee in block capitals of 6 mm to 10
mm letters
* BOTTOM: Name of the Institute, Year of submission – all in block capitals of 6m to 10 mm
letters on separate lines with proper spacing and centering.
* Blank sheets: At the beginning and end of the Report, two white bond papers should be
provided, one for the purpose of binding and other to be left blank.
* The length of the project should be between 8,000 to 10,000 words excluding annexure, tables,
graphs etc.

Selecting the topic

*It should preferably be in the area major specialization
*Before going to the company you should jot down two or three topics of your interest. This
 will be useful in case company gives you a choice.
*In case company insists on direct selling you have to explain to them that you are required to
submit a project report and you can do selling as well as work on the project simultaneously.
It is difficult to prepare research project report if the sole activity is selling during the
project.
*Even if you are involved in selling, design a questionnaire to survey the potential customers you
are selling to and analyze the data for findings.

Before reporting to the Company

*Confirm your project title and the scope of work with the company.
*Try to find out your guide in the company as well as in the institute and discuss the topic with
them.
*Do through review of literature by going through all possible secondary sources.
*Prepare a flow chart of the activities for entire duration of project which will act as a guide for
you.

After Joining the Company

*Maintain a daily record of work done in a separate log book. This should include the points
discussed and the information provided to you and will be useful in drafting the report later.
*Find the name of the person in the company who will be acting as your external guide (if this is
not already done) and discuss and finalize the project topic with him.
*Company’s requirements are superior and should be followed.
*The sincere efforts put in by the Management Trainee may some times lead to a Pre
Placement Offer (PPO) from the company.
* Therefore, take your project seriously!!
* Data collection must be completed while you are in the company otherwise it will be
impossible to visit the company again.
* Companies may demand tentative report before you leave. In such a case you may have to
submit two reports one for the company and other to the ISCOM according to their
requirements.

Academic requirements

*Company’s certificate evidencing satisfactory completion is an essential document.

*Some times the issue of the certificate is delayed by the company or your external guide. It
could be either due to:
*Poor quality of the project work
*Preoccupation by your external guide
*In either case, consider that you are responsible to get the certificate!!!
*Often restructuring and redrafting the report is necessary to meet the requirement of ISCOM.
*Be in touch with your internal guide
*No two reports can have same objectives, data and findings. If so ISCOM will reject both the
reports.
Preparing the Report
Preparing the Report Contents
Contents
1. Objectives & Scope
*Prefer to keep only one main objective
*May have a number of subsidiary objectives.
*A Problem well defined is half solved.
*SMART Objectives: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant & Time – bound
*Scope: To what extent and within what boundaries you plan to explore the topic (e.g.
geographical, Mkt. Potential in south Maharashtra)

2. Review of literature or
Theory Discussion
*This does not form a chapter but is an essential prerequisite.
*Refer at least 3 – 4 different books on the topic.
*Go through current journals and magazines related to the subject
*Search all related information from the net.
*Avoid plagiarism.

3. Company / Organization Profile

*General Information: Products & Services, Vision, Mission, Philosophy, Founders,
Organogram, etc.
*Functional area related: Marketing / HR / Finance scenario, department structure, topic related
activities.
*Industry Profile can also be briefly included in this part as background information if necessary
or, it can be appended in the end, if exhaustive.

4. Research Methodology

*Project Design: include flow chart for clarity

*Information needed
*Sources of data: Primary & Secondary
*Designing the Questionnaire: Pains taken in Qnr. Designing earlier can save more efforts in
data Analysis later
*Sampling

4.1 Questionnaire Design: The Art of Asking Questions

*What should be asked? Relevance and Accuracy

*How should each question be phrased? Open – ended questions and fixed – alternative
questions
*In what sequence the questions to be arranged? Order bias, Funnel techniques, Filter bias.
*What questionnaire layout will best serve the research objectives? Print, Post, Internet etc.
*How should the questionnaire be pre-tested? Does the questionnaire need to be revised?

4.2 Sampling
*Sample size? Variance (s), Magnitude of Error (e), Confidence Level (z) n =(zs / e) 2
Availability of time & other resources.
*Sampling frame
*Sampling Procedure : Probability & Non – probability
*Sampling Size – procedure relationship

5. Data Analysis

*Cross tabulation of the Questionnaire by classification of responses and frequency distribution.

*The more effort you put in developing the questionnaire, i.e. aided recall, use a uniform rating
scale, the easier it is to do data analysis.
*Statistical methods; Central tendencies, Weighted Averages etc. s/w like MS-Excel
*Appropriate Graphical representation of key questions with comments.

6. Observation & Findings

*Observations: Related to those issues only, which were NOT included and explored thru the
questionnaire
*Observations may not require a data support
*Keep your Objectives & Tabulation sheet before you when you sit to write your findings.
*Finding have to be strictly based on the collected data, attempting to answer the objectives
*Findings should match & satisfy the objectives
*List down the Findings
*Write positive findings first
*Key findings can be Graphically represented stating the importance and implications for the
company

7. Limitations

*Constraints of resources including time

*Availability of data
*Reliability of data
*Academic scope
*Access to information etc.

8. Bibliography & References

*For Master’s level course of the ISCOM bibliography needs to be authentically written.
*Author, year of Publication, Title Sub-Title, Edition, Name and Place of Publisher, Chapter &
Pages.
*e.g. Kazmi, A. “Business Policy & Strategic Management” Tata McGraw – Hill, New Delhi,
2nd Edition, 2002.
*E.g. Khandwala P.N. , “Two routes to turnaround’ in business world, Apr.12-25 1989. pp 17-
19.
*Websites

9. Abstract / Executive Summary

 *Prepare a summary of Objectives, Findings, Limitations & Recommendations only.
*Overall should not be more than 800 words.
*Though the Executive Summary is prepared in the end, it is included first in order.
*Should provide an overview of the project emphasizing the value added by it.

10.Annexure

Any documents, the inclusion of which in the main report may hamper the flow e.g.
*Sample questionnaire
*Company formats, e.g. Performance Appraisal etc.
*Company Leaflets or Handouts etc.
*Copy of Legal documents

Report Submission

*Last date for PGPCS Management Trainee for draft report submission to internal guide
is 25th July 2011 (or as per Internal Guides briefing)
*The Final Report shall contain changes / modification suggested by the Internal Guide
*Last date for Final report (Hard bound version) submission is 15th August 2011

Deadline for Project Report Submission

*Failure to adhere to the deadlines for submission of the reports could lead to
disqualification from Placement

Things To Take Care Of …

*The Company may delay issue of certificate of completion of project. Please take care to
do and submit a good project report. Also follow up with the the Company at least 3 – 4
weeks before your project submission date to ISCOMfor issue of completion certificate.
*DO NOT wait till the last date to bind your report.
*DO NOT wait till the last date to submit the draft report to your internal project guide.
Give him / her a little extra time as they are busy people.