The Real Struggles MBA Students Face While Completing Their Projects (174)

The Real Struggles MBA Students Face While Completing Their Projects

When I began my MBA project, I thought it would be a simple task. Select a topic of interest, do some research, write it out and then submit. Easy. I imagined the project could be completed in a couple of months, with a few late nights prior to the deadline. Reality hit me hard. It's not just a report. It tests your ability to plan, perseverance and ability to deal with unexpected problems. Nearly everyone in my group was challenged in one way or another.

Many students think they can use the project in the same way as regular papers or studies. Weeks later they realize that deadlines are closer than anticipated or that the data isn't complete, chapters are not linked and motivation drops. The MBA project may be too overwhelming when you don't manage it appropriately.

Here, I'll discuss the issues that students face in dealing with these. There isn't any magic formula but learning from experience helps a lot.

Choosing a Topic Is Harder Than It Looks

The choice of a topic may be easy, but it's far from. I made the error of choosing a subject that looked impressive but was impossible to execute. Weeks went by as I tried to collect data from companies that had never contacted me. My classmates would pick trendy topics, without considering how much data was available. The result is exactly the same. You are exhausted for weeks and dissatisfied.

A practical topic is far better than an impressive one. It should be a good match for your resources and your interest. For instance, substitute "The Future of Marketing in India" select "Social Media Marketing Strategies in Local Retail Stores." It's targeted, data is easy to collect, and the goals are clearly defined.

Objectives Are More Important Than You Think

Objectives guide your whole project. There are many students who make the mistake of composing vague goals, like "To study the impact of leadership on productivity." It's not telling anything. My own objectives had to be revised multiple times to make them more measurable and clear.

The clarity of your objectives will help you choose the method, methodology, and data collection analysis. If the goals aren't clear, the project is not connected. I've learned that I need to ask myself what exactly I'm looking to gauge and how I can be sure if I'm succeeding. These types of questions make an enormous difference in the quality of the work.

Collecting and Analysing Data Is Painful

Data collection is where the majority of students struggle. I contacted a number of small companies to request surveys. Some ignored me completely, while some promised me answers, but they did not materialize. Online surveys are useful, but the results are usually incomplete.

The analysis is yet another problem. It is possible to have flawless charts and tables, but if there is no way to explain what they mean, they're ineffective. I've seen my students copy graphs directly without interpretation. These numbers do not support anything unless you provide them with explanations.

A suggestion is to take a test run of your survey with a couple of persons first. It helps find confusing questions and also helps you avoid spending time. Always link your analysis with the goals. For example if your project investigates customer satisfaction, make sure your survey has quantifiable data about product quality, service reliability and response time.

Time Management Is Tough

Everyone says time management is vital but in MBA it's harder than it can sound. Between group work, lectures courses, internships and assignments, there is insufficient time. I delayed chapters thinking I could finish them in a few days. However, after a few weeks I was worried.

The task can be broken down into smaller tasks helps. Divide it into literature review methods, data collection, analysis and writing chapters one at a time. Make small steps each week. It doesn't matter if you have one chapter, or even one section completed every week is motivating.

Writing Is Harder Than You Think

Even with a database ready to write, writing can be a challenge. I had a difficult time explaining results in a way that was easy to understand. Some of the sections were repetitive. I had to rewrite the chapter on analysis numerous times.

Maintain a simple language that is easy to read. Request your colleagues to look over sections. Sometimes, being too involved in your own project can make it difficult to identify mistakes. Fresh eyes help a lot.

Supervisors Can Be Helpful But Also Frustrating

The task of working with a supervisor can be tricky. Some provide clear direction but some are vague or difficult to follow. Two weeks passed before I received an answer, which slowed my progress.

The key is to remain proactive. Create specific questions, follow up politely and record feedback. Supervisors may help but you need to be accountable for your own project.

Formatting and References Matter

I did not pay attention to formatting in the beginning. Fonts, spacing, certificates. I thought I could repair them later. Big mistake. It was almost delayed in submission.

References are equally vital. One missing citation can raise questions. Use tools to manage references and keep track of them while writing chapters, instead of waiting until the final. Proper formatting can make your writing more readable and makes it appear more professional.

Stress Is Real

Stress is unavoidable. Deadlines, corrections and insufficient data can make it difficult. At times, I stared at my screen and felt I'd never have time to finish.

Short breaks help. Speak to your friends, go for a stroll, or listening to music. Take small steps to celebrate your wins. Achieving a completed literature review or data collection are milestones. They help keep the enthusiasm alive.

Ethical Confusion

Many students are worried about what kind of help is allowed. It is possible to seek out guidance but you aren't able to get someone else to write your essay. Ethical guidance may include comments on the structure, methodology, and clarity. The original work is yours to keep.

Requesting guidance does not mean that you're cheating. It's smart to make use of available resources. Supervisors expect students to ask for help if they're stuck.

Reviewing Your Work

I focused on chapters in isolation at first. Then I realized that the project as a whole has repetitions in terms that were inconsistent and also missing hyperlinks. If you go through the entire project thoroughly, you'll find areas of confusion. Imagine yourself as an examiner. You'll spot mistakes that you could have missed.

Procrastination Destroys Quality

It is a huge problem. I was thinking I could complete data analysis and writing in just a couple of hours. But that never happened. Every delay diminished the quality.

Get up early. The mere act of writing a paragraph every day adds to. The task becomes easy to handle instead of overwhelming.

What I Learned

The MBA project isn't hard because of its complexity. The reason it is difficult is because students don't have enough planning, clarity or direction. Unfortunate mistakes are not uncommon. The trick is to learn and continue to improve.

Being organized is good, but flexibility is essential. It is not often that things go according to plan. There will be data that isn't there the supervisor will not be forthcoming delays, and hurdles will come up. What's important is how you handle these problems. Break tasks into pieces with a focus on just one step at a given time, and have reasonable expectations.

Projects can teach you skills beyond the academic. Time management, discipline in research clarity of writing and problem-solving are all lessons that can be used in professional life. The research project can be stressful yet also practical.

Closing Thoughts

If you're planning to begin your MBA project, pick a topic it is possible to research. Establish clear goals. Create small steps. You can ask for help if you need. Take breaks. Keep your writing simple. Avoid chasing perfection. Begin earlier.

The MBA project is more than a simple report. It tests your ability to plan, perseverance and problem solving. It will be a struggle. Everyone does. But every trial teaches something. The project doesn't just end up being submitted. It defines you as a student, researcher and a future professional.