PROJECT WORK

1. INTRODUCTION
As a student of Master of Business Administration (MBA) you are required to unde
rtake a major individual piece of research work - the Project or Dissertation. I
n contrast to the other elements of your programme, where you are guided fairly
closely, the aim of the Project is to give you the opportunity to learn independ
ently and show that you can identify, define and analyse problems and issues and
integrate knowledge in a business context. It is an important part of the progr
amme that tests your ability to understand and apply the theory, the concepts an
d the tools of analysis to a specific problem situation. This project handbook h
as been compiled to clarify the framework of the project and suggest some ways o
f assuring success.
The only precise rule on what constitutes an acceptable project is that it shoul
d be an ordered critical exposition, which affords evidence of reasoning power a
nd knowledge of the relevant literature in an approved field falling within the
subject matter of the programme - Management. The emphasis should be on applied
research and the investigation of some practical problem or issue related to the
situation in which an organisation or system operates.
Please note that the project must not be treated as just another assignment. Th
e Project provides the opportunity to judge the studentâ s time and self-management s
kills and his/her ability to successfully undertake a long and in-depth study.
Hence it is not only the product that is important, but also the process itself.
Students must therefore ensure that they maintain regular contact with their s
upervisor and also that they provide the supervisor with drafts of their work at
regular intervals. Finally, to keep yourself up-to-date and under control as re
gards your project, it is imperative that you meet your supervisor regularly.

2. DEFINITIONS AND OVERIEW OF PROJECT

The project is a practical, in-depth study of a problem, issue, opportunity, tec
hnique or procedure â or some combination of these aspects of business. Typically, y
ou will be required to define an area of investigation, carve out research desig
n, assemble relevant data, analyse the data, draw conclusions and make recommend
ations. Your project should demonstrate organisational, analytical and evaluativ
e skills, and, where appropriate, an ability to design a suitable implementation
and review procedure.
The project is the longest (24,000 words) and most original piece of work you wi
ll undertake in your post-graduate study. It will occupy, with varying degrees o
f commitment, a period of two semesters.