Capstone Project - Small Business Management (Winter 2024)

BUSI 660
Closed
University Canada West
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Shamir Ladhani
Faculty
(7)
6
General
  • Graduate
  • 30 learners; teams of 5
  • 30 hours per learner
  • Dates set by experience
  • Educators assign learners to projects
Preferred companies
  • 1/1 project matches
  • Anywhere
  • Academic experience
  • Any company type
  • Any industries
Categories
Business strategy Communications Market research Product or service launch Sales strategy
Skills
project planning small business management master of business administration (mba) consulting research timelines legal discovery
Project timeline
  • January 16, 2024
    Experience start
  • March 23, 2024
    Experience end
Overview
Details

The BUSI 660, a capstone project-based course, is designed for students in the final term of their MBA program. The course has a strong analytical, applied, and experiential orientation. Students work in groups of 4-5 to focus on a challenge/opportunity for the business.

The students' process - and ultimate deliverable will include a current analysis of the business, problem or opportunity identification, research (as applicable), recommended solutions/strategy with implementation plan, budget and finally, risk identification and mitigation strategies (again, as applicable). The project can be for a Canadian business of any size, however enterprises run by solo-preneurs would probably not provide the necessary scope.

Learner skills
Project planning, Small business management, Master of business administration (mba), Consulting, Research, Timelines, Legal discovery
Deliverables

Following the initial discovery meeting with the student team, the business will receive a proposal and scope document that will:

  • identify the core problem
  • outline the strategic goals of the client and how the project will align with these goals
  • describe desired outcomes and client benefit
  • address the project plan with timelines and milestones

The final deliverable (consulting report) will build on the initial scope document and include:

  • An organizational analysis
  • Evidence-based research to support the development of the project recommendations
  • Detailed strategy and recommendations to address the challenges and/or opportunities related to the project
  • An implementation plan outlining required resources
  • Budget and/or financial implications associated with the recommendations
  • Success measures
  • Risks and mitigation (as applicable)
Project Examples

The project can deal with any functional area (i.e. marketing, operations, HR, finance, etc.) related to a current state of the business (i.e. start-up business plan, expansion, market diversification, exporting, moving to digital platforms, exit strategies, etc.).

Additional company criteria

Companies must answer the following questions to submit a match request to this experience:

Be available for a quick phone/virtual call with the instructor to initiate your relationship and confirm your scope is an appropriate fit for the experience.

Provide a dedicated contact person who is available for weekly/bi-weekly drop-ins to address learners’ questions as well as periodic messages over the duration of the project.

Provide an opportunity for learners to present their work and receive feedback.

Provide relevant information and/or data as needed for the project.

How is your project relevant to the experience?