Components of the Management Project

Table of Contents

• Course Description
• Is the MP for Me?
• Purpose of the MP
• Components of the MP
• MP Requirements
• MP Phases
• Appendix A: Forms
• Appendix B: Bibliography for Research
• Appendix C: Report Formatting
• MP Handbook Home

Products

Management Projects (MPs) are undertaken in phases, and you must submit three distinct products: the concept paper, the prospectus, and the final report. Each is discussed in detail in the section of this handbook titled “The Management Project Phases.”

Purpose

The MP requires you to apply the critical and analytical thinking skills you have learned to help solve a specific organizational problem or take advantage of an opportunity. The purpose is to help ensure that you leave your formal studies with the skills, knowledge, and abilities you will need in the workplace. The project affords you the opportunity to practice what you have learned under the guidance of a seasoned faculty member and an on-site supervisor.

Focus

This is intended to be a MP and should not focus on a narrow technical problem or opportunity. This means that you may work on projects that involve technical issues or decisions as long as the primary emphasis is on management and/or organizational elements. The development of a software package alone, for example, would be an unacceptable MP unless it were tied to the solution of a management problem or opportunity. It is, however, acceptable for you to propose or use a technical solution if it can be demonstrated that such an approach would solve a management problem.

Types of Projects

There are a variety of acceptable types of MPs. They may be business plans, components of a strategic plan, case studies, proposals, organizational or project assessments, project plans, marketing plans, training programs, and so on. With the support of a faculty advisor, the dean, and a compelling case, students may also be allowed to develop a more theoretical or research-oriented project where there is not specific organizational sponsor. The range of possible projects should be discussed with the advisor.

Use of Checklists

The section entitled “Management Project Phases” should be read carefully before beginning work on the project. Checklists for the prospectus and MP final report are included in this handbook as appendices. They should be used to evaluate every draft before submission to the faculty advisor. 

Required Forms

Appendix A contains forms that must be used and submitted in completing the MP. Information is provided about their use in the relevant sections throughout this document.

Time Commitments

The MP requires a disciplined, sustained commitment of time and effort and usually takes two semesters. Completion of the final report requires a commitment of approximately 250 hours after approval of the concept paper. Approval of the concept paper is not guaranteed; if approved, the process generally requires several submissions and usually takes about four to six weeks to complete.