MBA Projects - Organisation FAQs

What is an MBA Project?

It is a course in the Master of Business Administration (MBA) Program undertaken by an individual student or by a team of 3-5 students, over one trimester of 12 weeks. Trimesters begin in February, May and September. As students usually plan their study well in advance, please submit proposals at least 6 weeks before the beginning of trimester.

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Project Proposal Guidelines
Client Agreement
Non-Disclosure Agreement

MBA Project Summary

Project duration:	12 weeks over one trimester. Trimesters begin in February, May and September You may propose a project at any time
Type of project:	A real business issue, examples below
Who will tackle the project	Either an individual student or a team of 3- 5 students
Student time commitment	10 hours per student per week over 12 weeks Individual student: 120 hours work in total Team of 3 to 5 students: 360 - 600 hours work in total
Project fee	Nil but students' out of pocket expenses such as parking are payable by the client organisation
Confidentiality	A non-disclosure agreement will be signed by all relevant students and faculty
Eligibility to propose a project	Organisations whether public agencies or private sector, profit or not-for-profit, in any industry category. The organisation should employ at least 10 people.

What types of projects would be suitable?

Short yet challenging consulting projects, capable of completion within 12 weeks. There are two categories:
1. projects that could be completed by one student
2. larger projects that would be more suitable for a group of students.

Project work should involve a real, well-defined business problem or opportunity. They should require students to gather information from various sources, analyse the data, develop and evaluate alternative solutions then formulate conclusions and recommendations.

We have a number of international students from around the world, particularly India and China. If your organisatioin is looking to do business in India or China, you might consider providing a project that requires market research in your target country.

Project examples:

Market assessment
Competitor analysis
Develop a business plan
Organisational assessment
Operations evaluations
Financial analysis
Strategic plan for growth
Marketing audit
Industry analysis.

Details of projects currently available can be viewed here.

Projects that are considered unsuitable are projects that are narrowly focused or projects that cannot be completed within 12 weeks. For example pure market research which involves quantitative surveys can rarely be completed in the available time frame.

We expect there will be considerable interest in this opportunity and that not all proposed projects will be accepted. Some may be considered too specialised, others too large in scope to complete in the timeframe.

How does it work?

If you are interested, we invite you to submit a Project Proposal, the guidelines for your proposal are available here. Your project will be made available to students on this website.

Each student is expected to spend on average ten hours per week over the 12 trimester on the project. So a project undertaken by an individual would equate around 120 hours of work and a team of 4 would be expected to devote a total of 480 hours to the project. Please indicate your opinion as to the number of hours work involved in the project.

Please indicate an expiry date for your project, typically 6 or 12 months, so we know when to remove it from the website.

Once we have an expression of interest from a suitable student(s), we will be in touch with you to set up an initial meeting.

What do we really gain?

MBA students bring fresh insights and new thinking and, perhaps most importantly, because they are independent, they offer a truly objective view. They deliver real value, based on the use of proven tools, concepts and frameworks. Their approach is primarily focused on developing creative, practical outcomes.

Towards the end of the project on a mutually agreed date, the student or team of students will give a formal oral presentation to you, nominated personnel from your organisation and key faculty. You will also receive a written report.

Tell me about the MBA Program and students

The MBA is a rigorous postgraduate ‘general management’ program that covers all the core competencies of management including accounting, finance, marketing, people management and strategic management. The program attracts more than 300 candidates each year.

MBA students are bright, highly motivated managers, team leaders and professionals with business expertise. All students have at least two years work experience with an average of 10 years. Many occupy senior positions with top companies and the overwhelming majority have an undergraduate degree.

While most students are in their 30s, ages range from 20s through to 50s. The student body is diverse in terms of qualifications, work experience, nationality, age, skills and knowledge.

What’s the cost to the organisation?

Client organisations do not pay a fee. The MBA Project is undertaken for learning purposes.The client organisation is only expected to cover any expenses related to the project, as agreed in advance with the project team. For example, the cost of parking.

What do we have to provide?

You need to provide a project that can be completed by one student or a team of students within a 12 week timeframe.

You must be willing to share information, including financial information, with the project team and faculty. All students and faculty involved in your project will sign a non-disclosure agreement .

We ask you to appoint someone at a reasonably senior level to oversee the project from beginning to end.

Interested?
Complete a Project Proposal (guidelines here) and submit it by email.

Enquiries

Una Spiers
Coordinator, MBA Projects
Telephone: 8303 5753
Email: una.spiers@adelaide.edu.au

The most reliable means of contact is via email.