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When I began my MBA project, I thought it would be a simple task. Pick a subject, conduct some study, write about it and then submit. Easy. I had envisioned the project could be completed in a couple of weeks. I could have a couple of late nights prior to the date. Reality came in fast. The project will not be one report. It tests your planning skills, capacity to endure and cope with unexpected problems. Everyone in my class has had some difficulty in one way or the other.
Many students believe that they should treat the project like regular essays or research. They find out after a while that deadlines are nearer than they expected, data is incomplete, chapters don't line up as they should, and motivation dwindles. The MBA project can become overwhelming should you not manage it correctly.
Below I will describe the problems that students confront together with strategies for dealing with them. There's no formula for success, but learning from experience helps a lot.
The choice of a topic may be easy but it's not. I made the error selecting a topic I thought sounded impressive but was impossible to carry out. The weeks passed by while I tried to collect data from companies who never responded. Some of my friends chose fashionable topics without considering whether or not data was available. The result is exactly the same. You go through weeks of feeling unhappy.
Practical topics are better than an overly enthralling one. It must be in line with your resources as well as your interests. For example rather than "The Future of Marketing in India" choose "Social Media Marketing Strategies in Local Retail Stores." It is focused, data is simpler to gather and the goals are clearly defined.
The goals you set for your project should be clear and concise. The majority of learners make the mistake of writing vague objectives, such as "To study the impact of leadership on productivity." This doesn't tell the whole story. I had to revise mine many times in order to make them tangible and clear.
Clare objectives can help you choose methodology, data collection and analysis. If objectives are weak your project feels disconnected. I've learned to ask myself the things I'd like to measure and how will know if my efforts are successful. These questions are a big difference in the performance of your work.
Data collection is the most common area in which students struggle. I spent days contacting small businesses asking questions. Some ignored me completely and some promised me answers, but they never materialized. While online surveys can help, the responses tend to be insufficient.
Analysis is a second challenge. One can have perfect tables and charts but if it isn't clear what they mean they are ineffective. Students copied graphs directly without interpretation. These numbers do not support anything unless you present them.
It is a good idea to test your survey in the presence of a few people first. It will help you find the most confusing questions and prevents you from wasting time. Always be sure to connect your analysis to goals. In the case of a project that is focused on customer satisfaction, ensure that the survey you conduct asks quantifiable questions regarding product quality, service reliability and response time.
Everybody says that managing time is crucial but in MBA it's more difficult than it does. Between classes, group work in internships, assignments, and lectures there's insufficient time. It was tempting to put off the chapters thinking I could complete in a couple of days. However, after a few weeks I was worried.
Breaking the project down into smaller activities can be helpful. Break it down into literature review methodology, data collection and analysis, as well as writing chapters in a separate way. Track small progress every week. The idea of having a chapter or section done each week will be motivating.
Even with data-ready writing can be a challenge. It was difficult to communicate results in plain English. Some of the sections were repetitive. I revise the analysis chapter numerous times.
Make the language easy and understandable. Consider having your friends read the sections. Sometimes being absorbed in the work you are doing makes it difficult to find mistakes. Fresh eyes help a lot.
The task of working with a supervisor can be difficult. Some give clear guidance but some are vague or hard to meet. I waited 2 weeks for one response and it delayed my progress.
The most important thing is to be proactive. Create specific questions, be polite and follow-up with a notepad to record feedback. Your supervisors are helpful, but you have to own your own task.
I did not pay attention to formatting in the beginning. Fonts, spacing, certificates. I thought that I could rectify them later. Big mistake. It nearly delayed submission.
References are equally crucial. One missing citation can raise questions. Utilize software to manage references and do it while writing chapters rather than waiting until the end. Correct formatting makes your essay simpler to comprehend and makes it appear more professional.
Stress is unavoidable. The deadlines, corrections, and the inability to complete data can create a huge amount of stress. In the evenings, I sat staring at the screen with the feeling that I'd never complete.
Short breaks help. Talking to friends, going to the park, listening to music. Recognize small victories. Completely completing a literature review or data collection are both milestones. These milestones keep the drive alive.
Many students worry about how much help is allowed. It is possible to seek guidance but it is not possible to ask someone else to compose your work. The ethical guidance will provide feedback on structure, methodology and clarity. Original work must remain yours.
Inquiring for help doesn't signify cheating. You should make the most of available resources. Teachers expect students to find help when they're stuck.
I focused on chapters individually initially. Then I realized the project as a whole contained repetitions along with inconsistencies in terms and hyperlinks. Reading the project fully reveals holes. Imagine yourself as an examiner. You will catch mistakes you missed otherwise.
It is a huge problem. I believed that I could complete data analysis and writing in the space of a couple nights. But that never happened. Each delay degraded quality.
Begin early. The mere act of writing a paragraph per day adds up. The project is now feasible instead of overwhelming.
The MBA project isn't difficult because of complexity. It's hard because people aren't aware of planning, clarity and guidance. The chances of making mistakes are common. What is important is to take the time to learn and improve.
It is important to be organized, but flexibility is what's more important. Things don't always go as planned. A few data points will go unnoticed or supervisors won't respond when they are unable to do so, and obstacles will be spotted. The key is how you respond to these problems. Break tasks down into sections in a focused manner, work on one thing at a time, and maintain reasonable expectations.
Projects teach skills beyond academics. Discipline in research, time management clarity in writing, problem solving are some of the lessons that can be used in professional life. The work is difficult, but also practical.
If you're planning to begin your MBA assignment, choose a topic in which you are able research. It is important to define your goals. Develop small steps. You can ask for help if you need. Take breaks. Make sure your writing is simple. Avoid chasing perfection. Start in the early hours.
The MBA project can be more that a formal report. It tests planning, patience and problem-solving. It will be a struggle. Everyone does. But every trial teaches something. In the end, the project does not end with a submission. It helps you become a student, researcher and future professional.