ASSESSMENT BRIEF
Subject Code and Title MGT605 Business Capstone Project
Assessment Assignment 1 – Project Proposal/Plan
Individual/Group Individual
Length 1500 words
Subject Learning Outcomes SLO a. Develop and articulate a theoretical or practical perspective on management issues through a substantial applied project
SLO b. Demonstrate collaborative leadership and ownership in the preparation of a significant original body of practical or theoretical work
SLO c. Use specialist research skills to analyse a complex management problem and then synthesise the research, communicating it effectively to both specialist and lay audiences
Submission By 11:55pm AEST/AEDT Friday of Week 3
Weighting 20%
Total Marks 20
Context:
This subject allows the student to synthesise the knowledge and skills gained from all other subjects studied up to that point. The main deliverable in the subject is a major project. In this first assessment, the project is proposed.
Managers have to deal with business issues all the time. These issues can be in the form of a problem such as high employee turnover. The issues can also be in the form of an opportunity such as introducing a product to take advantage of a gap in the market. Whether the issue is a problem or an opportunity, a manager always needs to study the issue carefully before making and implementing a decision.
In this subject, you will find such a business issue (of your choice) and to perform detailed study leading into specific recommendations.
Instructions:
In this assessment, you are required to propose how you are going to study a real-life business/management issue (problem or opportunity) of your choice. Before you can do that, you first need to identify a project idea on which to develop your project proposal.
You are armed with the knowledge from all your previous MBA subjects. In addition to that, you will identify a business issue (problem or opportunity) to study. Before you study the issue, it is essential that you chart a pathway of how you are going to conduct the study.
Before you complete this assessment, it is essential that you understand what a project proposal means in this context. Note that a proposal is not the study itself, but it is a proposed plan explaining how the study is going to be conducted. It is a proposed pathway for the study. Thus a proposal should introduce and then set the scope of the project. It includes answering the questions such as:
What is the background of the project?
What is the issue (problem or opportunity)?
What is the aim statement?
What theory (from your MBA subjects) relate to this project?
What data will be collected, from where and how?
How will the data be analysed and what tools and concepts (from your MBA subjects) will be applied?
What is the timeline of the project?
Formulating a project idea
As mentioned above, before you can develop your capstone project proposal, you need to identify a problem or opportunity. Please refer to the “Broad Business Capstone Project Ideas.pdf” file for help with identifying project ideas. You can find the “Broad Business Capstone Project Ideas.pdf” in the learning portal.
Do not use companies such as Amazon, Woolworths, Coles, Tesla, Qantas, Virgin Air, Tata, Toyota, etc. Generally, avoid very common companies as these have been overstudied. There is little possibility that your project can be anything different from what is downloadable from the internet. This may lead you into AI issues. If you are not clear about a company (or case unit) to use, you are encouraged to seek guidance from your facilitator before you write your proposal.
Structure of the project proposal
Include all relevant content expected in a project proposal.
Cover page – provide a cover page with identification information including, your name, the subject and code, the capstone project title, date, word count, etc.
Introduction or Context – background information including a description of the country, the industry, the organisation (case unit) and the problem or opportunity (the issue(s)). Discuss the circumstances through which the problem or opportunity has arisen.
Aim/purpose of project – the specific aim of the capstone project is to identify the problem or opportunity and to summarise what your project intends to achieve.
Literature review – discusses the theory that is relevant to your project.
Method – identify the proposed sources of information or data. Also consider how your knowledge from your post graduate program will apply in your project. Ensure that the project is feasible within the available time. Also describe the relevance and significance of your capstone project.
Conclusion – a brief statement about what the project is all about, its suitability and feasibility.
Indicative timeframe – itemise what you will cover in each week.
Word count
The 1500 words word count includes the Context down to the Conclusion. There is no tolerance on the word count. You are not expected to exceed 1500 words and penalties may apply for exceeding the word count.
Here is a suggested (non-prescriptive) allocation of word count.
Context and Aim statement – 300 words
Literature review – 150 words
Method – 900 words
Conclusion – 150 words
NB: You may use dot points to present the main points of your proposal.
References
Your capstone project proposal must use and list at least six (6) references to theoretical literature sources. Identify specific data sources that you will collect data from and reference them. You may have up to ten (10) references to data sources.
Special conditions
If the project involves an industry partner, a letter of support from the partner is required in an appendix.
If your capstone project involves research on human subjects (e.g. collection of primary data through surveys), it is the student’s responsibility to obtain HREC approval for it through the Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC).
Except otherwise approved by the Facilitator, you may not collect and use any form of primary data for the purpose of this capstone project.
It is expected, that your capstone project is an original submission (your own work). Your project must not be a repackaged assessment from another subject you have done before.
NB: This subject requires regular guidance from your facilitator and continuous work throughout the study period.
Submission
Submit a written capstone project proposal that uses an academic style of writing including references and the recommended structure (above). Please refer to the Academic Integrity policy and the Assessment policy for more information.
Use Assessment 1 link in Blackboard to submit your capstone project proposal. Give your file a name of this format – Your name_Subject and code_Assessment number – before submission.
Learning Rubric
Assessment Attributes Fail (Unacceptable) Pass
(Functional) Credit
(Proficient) Distinction (Advanced) High Distinction (Exceptional)
Knowledge and understanding (technical and theoretical
knowledge)
Understands theoretical
models and concepts
10 marks Limited understanding of required concepts and
knowledge
Key components of the assignment are not addressed. Knowledge or understanding of the field or discipline.
Resembles a recall or summary of key ideas.
Often confuses assertion of personal opinion with information substantiated by evidence from the research/course materials. Thorough knowledge or understanding of the field or discipline/s. Supports personal opinion and information substantiated by evidence from the research/course materials. Highly developed understanding of the field or discipline/s.
Discriminates between assertion of personal opinion and information substantiated by robust evidence from the research/course materials and extended reading.
Well demonstrated capacity to explain relevant concepts. A sophisticated understanding of the field or discipline/s.
Uses information substantiated by robust evidence from the research/course materials and extended reading.
Mastery of concepts and application to new situations/further learning.
Effective Communication
Well structured report with
clear flow of ideas
10 marks Difficult to understand for audience, no logical/clear structure, poor flow of ideas, argument lacks supporting evidence.
Audience cannot follow the line of reasoning. Information, arguments and evidence are presented in a way that is not always clear and logical.
Line of reasoning is often difficult to follow. Information, arguments and evidence are well presented, mostly clear flow of ideas and arguments.
Line of reasoning is easy to follow. Information, arguments and evidence are very well presented; the presentation is logical, clear and well supported by evidence. Expertly presented; the presentation is logical, persuasive, and well supported by evidence, demonstrating a clear flow of ideas and arguments.
Engages and sustains audience’s interest in the topic.
MGT605 Assignment 1 Brief.docx Page 4 of 4