PROPOSAL FOR COMPANY PROJECT

Thank you for considering a company project from the Field Experience in Business Consulting class at the Saunders College of Business. Over the years, Saunders College of Business teams have completed numerous successful projects with local and regional businesses to the benefit of both students and their clients.

Field Experience in Business Consulting – Introduction

This course introduces students to business consulting by having them engage with clients on actual company problems. Teams of 4-to-5 students, a mix of both MBA and upper class undergraduates, are assigned projects based on company requirements and student interests and skill sets.

All selected projects require that teams collect, analyze, and synthesize data; apply interpersonal knowledge and skills in teams and with clients; and deliver a final briefing and written report to the client. Project scope is defined in a Statement of Work agreed upon by the client and the team. Project duration is one academic quarter, or 11 weeks.

Greater consideration is given to projects that involve a primary market research component. This often takes the form of an online survey, focus group, or series of interviews.

Client Responsibilities

In our experience, the most successful projects are those where the client is an active participant in the project. While the team does the heavy lifting so to speak, clients must be willing to engage with students, provide access to employees when appropriate, and be responsive to team inquiries. The following guidelines ensure a successful outcome:

  • Client assigns a project “champion” as liaison with the team for the duration of the project.
  • Client hosts an initial meeting with the team to exchange information, describe project, and communicate project expectations.
  • Project Champion schedules regular status calls with team, and facilitates team interactions with other relevant stakeholders (e.g., employees, board members, customers, etc).
  • Client is willing to share relevant information with the team. Teams will sign non-disclosure agreements.
  • Client attends final briefing (approximately 1 – 2 hours) at the completion of the project

Project Selection:

Please be advised that the number ofapplications generally exceeds the number of teams. Consequently even strong applications may not initially be selected. In the instance that a project is deemed a better fit with one of our other courses or programs (generally because of project complexity or project scope), we will refer your project to the appropriate program or class (e.g., EMBA Capstone, Technology Commercialization Clinic, Marketing Class, etc.). If you would prefer not to be considered for other programs, please check the option below.

____ No, please do not submit our application for further consideration.

Please email the completed form to TTN: Marty Lawlor.

Name of Organization:

Address:

Key Contact Person:Telephone:

Title:Email:

Project Description:

Briefly describe the nature and purpose of the project, its scope, and its importance to the organization. Use additional pages if necessary.

Project Deliverables:

Briefly describe the outcomes desired at the end of the project. Be as specific as possible. Use additional pages if necessary

Note: Teams are not responsible for the implementation of actions specified in the strategic options or recommendations sections of the reports. They are expected to provide an in-depth analysis of the problem and propose solutions.