MBA Strategy Capstone

STR429
Closed
Main contact
University of Rochester
Rochester, New York, United States
Assistant Professor
1
Timeline
  • April 1, 2019
    Experience start
  • April 2, 2019
    Project Kick-off meeting
  • April 9, 2019
    Intermediate report #1
  • April 16, 2019
    Intermediate report #2
  • April 30, 2019
    Intermediate report #3
  • May 14, 2019
    Intermediate Report #4
  • May 29, 2019
    Experience end
Experience
3 projects wanted
Dates set by experience
Preferred companies
Anywhere
Any company type
Any industries

Experience scope

Categories
Market research Operations Project management Product or service launch
Skills
research analysis business strategy strategy creativity
Student goals and capabilities

A group of MBA student-consultants will spend 300+ hours (as a team) over an 8-week period working with your organization on researching and preparing a new opportunity, strategic initiative, issue or decision. Based on their in-depth research and analysis, the student-consultants will identify and recommend specific strategic options and considerations, including an outline of the financial implications.

Students

Students
Any level
30 students
Project
300 hours per student
Students self-assign
Teams of 4
Expected outcomes and deliverables

Final project deliverables include:

  • A 15-minute presentation + additional 15 minute Q&A time summarizing the findings, recommendations, implementation plan (if relevant)
  • A detailed report summarizing the group’s framing of the work, the identified opportunities and challenges, the evidence and analysis the students found most relevant and their analysis of the evidence.
  • If determined initially, an additional short (up to 3 pages) executive summary fully addressing a specific question (e.g. “Expected ROI for Tim Hortons on partnering with Amazon Lockers”)
Project timeline
  • April 1, 2019
    Experience start
  • April 2, 2019
    Project Kick-off meeting
  • April 9, 2019
    Intermediate report #1
  • April 16, 2019
    Intermediate report #2
  • April 30, 2019
    Intermediate report #3
  • May 14, 2019
    Intermediate Report #4
  • May 29, 2019
    Experience end

Project examples

Beginning this April, a group of four MBA student-consultants will spend 40+ hours a week (as a collective team) over an 8-week period researching and preparing a new opportunity, strategic initiative, issue or decision.

Based on the information and objectives you provide, the student-consultants will research, analyze, and develop a strategic plan to execute a solution that addresses your challenge or opportunity.

Example challenges include, but are not limited to:

  • New market identification
  • New market entry
  • New product ideation
  • New product business case
  • Product pivot evaluation / business case
  • Department / group strategic plan development
  • Strategic partnership / collaboration research

Please ensure you are committed and able to meet online with students twice during the project's duration (April to May) and that you are able to respond to their enquiries in a timely matter.

Two separate student groups may be assigned to the same project based on the perceived scope/complexity, in coordination with you.

Additional company criteria

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

  • Q1 - Checkbox
    Companies should be willing to share relevant data and materials in the context of the project - Students are able to sign NDA's
  • Q2 - Checkbox
    Be available for a quick phone call with the instructor to initiate your relationship and confirm your scope is an appropriate fit for the course.
  • Q3 - Checkbox
    Provide a dedicated contact who is available to answer periodic emails or phone calls over the duration of the project to address students' questions.
  • Q4 - Checkbox
    Meet online with the students during week 3 of the project to review the "refined objectives" ~ 30 min
  • Q5 - Checkbox
    Meet online with the students during week 7 of the project to review the updated preliminary report ~30min