ASP Guideline - ME05
ASP Guideline - ME05
ASP Guideline - ME05
ME05
Contents
1. Introduction.....................................................................................................................................................3
2. Project Concept...............................................................................................................................................4
3. Project Nature.................................................................................................................................................4
4. Project Timeline...............................................................................................................................................5
4.1. Schedule.......................................................................................................................................................5
5. Submission Guidelines.....................................................................................................................................7
5.1. Statement of Purpose (previously graded in the Research Methodology course)......................................7
5.2. Proposal and presentation (15% written and 10% oral).............................................................................7
5.3. Mid-review (10%)........................................................................................................................................7
5.4. Report and presentation (40% written and 25% oral)................................................................................8
6. Academic Mentor Roles..................................................................................................................................9
7. Industry Mentor Roles...................................................................................................................................10
8. Grades/ Deadlines.........................................................................................................................................11
8.1. Criteria for assessment:.............................................................................................................................12
9. Evaluation Scheme........................................................................................................................................13
9.1. Parameters for evaluating the EMBA ASP Proposal (15% written)..........................................................13
9.2. Parameters for evaluating the EMBA ASP Proposal (10% oral)...............................................................14
9.3. Parameters for evaluating the Mid-review discussion (10%)....................................................................15
9.4. Parameters for evaluating the EMBA ASP Final Evaluation (40% written)...............................................15
9.5. Parameters for evaluating the EMBA ASP Final Evaluation (25% oral).....................................................16
10. Statement of Purpose (SOP)......................................................................................................................17
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Applied Strategic Project (ASP) Guidelines
1. Introduction
Applied Strategic Project is directed towards creating a greater understanding of the real-
world corporate environment. The Applied Strategic Project (ASP) aims at providing an
opportunity to E x e c u t i v e M B A ( EMBA) students to integrate and apply knowledge and
skills gained during their EMBA course in addressing a significant business issue within an
organization. The idea is to provide an opportunity for applying concepts in a practical context,
thus influencing management practices through an investigation of an important business
issue facing the organization. The individual Project will focus on a chosen business issue which
must align within your chosen area of specialization unless you have chosen no specialization, to
be researched and analyzed by the participant with a solution offered in a manner appropriate
for presentation (verbally and written) to the senior management of an organization. An in-
house Academic Mentor and an External industry mentor guide the research project. Faculty
will ensure rigor in concepts/ frameworks / theories being applied, and the industry mentor
will ensure that the business issue being studied is realistic and has a practical solution.
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Applied Strategic Project (ASP) Guidelines
mentors to seek and approval and closure of the complete project progress.
2. Project Concept
The Project experience is the comprehensive application of the learning done in individual
courses in the EMBA curriculum within a strategic context. Working along with Academic
Mentor, each participant is required to frame and analyze issues posed by a business
enterprise or an organization in terms of a strategic business perspective.
The participant develops:
a) An enterprise-level understanding of the organization's industry and business model,
b) An appropriate analytical framework for addressing the business concern,
c) Recommendations and an implementation plan to the business, and
d) Final Report that explains the situation and its strategic analysis. Projects must be related
to the student’s area of Specialization. However, the specific topic is typically based upon
the needs of the organization.
3. Project Nature
It is important that the Project when finished is broadly integrative. This is not an assignment
specific to an individual class or course. Rather, it should integrate concepts learned throughout
the program, with particular emphasis on the area of specialization, and demonstrate how
those can be applied to real business issues. This is a graded assignment with five credits
toward the participants’ completion of the EMBA program. It is graded on the Absolute A to F
scale and not pass/ fail.
The final product of the Project is a major report in good scholarly form with sound technical
analysis, references, and bibliography. The project report must reflect a learning process that
involves the following components:
Problem Identification: Identification and definition of a management problem or issue
Informed Foundation/Literature Review: Reliance on, a model/framework/theory, a
body of knowledge, or something similar to provide an informed foundation for
effectively addressing the problem/issue
Gathering Data: Collection of the appropriate and relevant data or information
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Applied Strategic Project (ASP) Guidelines
that is relevant for the problem/ issue through both qualitative and/or
quantitative research
Data Analysis: Analysis of the data using methods appropriate to the problem/ issue
Final Analysis: A comprehensive discussion highlighting – findings,
recommendations, implications, a solution to a problem, a design for a process –
something that represents the conclusion of the ‘problem identification –
foundation – data – analysis’ process
Implementation plan: A detailed roadmap to describe how the recommendations
can be implemented, suggested timelines, approvals that may be needed, challenges
that may need to be overcome
Documentation/Appendices: A documentation of the process and result, appropriate to
the setting. This must be very clearly communicated, both verbally and in writing.
4. Project Timeline
The Project is the culmination of the EMBA course and therefore must be undertaken during
the student's last term. It will begin after the commencement of electives/ specialization and
successful completion of the course on Research Methodology.
4.1. Schedule
ME05 Timeline
Timeline To Be Completed
During Research
Methodology course Orientation by the Assistant Dean within the RM course
June 1, 2023
Submission of Statement of Purpose (SOP) with Industry
July 1, 2023 Mentor’s complete profile (see template provided in section
10)
July 7, 2023 Approval of SOP and Assignment of Academic Mentor
July 21, 2023 Presentation (both mentors should attend the presentation)
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Applied Strategic Project (ASP) Guidelines
*Please note that in case of the deadline(s) is not met, the student may have to plan to likely
graduate six months later.
** Important: you will receive the guidance of your academic mentor during the
allocated 4-month timeline. Failure to complete the project during this time will
result in the student completing the project without the benefit of advice from the
academic mentor.
**The last day for Academic Mentor support is the submission date as itemized in the
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Applied Strategic Project (ASP) Guidelines
5. Submission Guidelines
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Applied Strategic Project (ASP) Guidelines
Even though this document is designed to be a formal thesis, it shows the style and format
expected by professionals in the scientific community. While there is no specific length
requirement, 60 pages of 12 pt double-spaced text are typical, not including any tables, figures,
exhibits, and appendices needed.
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Applied Strategic Project (ASP) Guidelines
Submit the written report as per the timelines (after the plagiarism check). Make sure the
program coordinator has a copy of both the written and electronic versions.
You are encouraged to seek feedback from your Academic Mentor while preparing your Project
Report. However, you should not submit your report for final evaluation until you have
reviewed it carefully with your advisor/ mentor and seriously considered any feedback that
they provide to you. All the sources should be referred to in the document and the references
should be listed as per the APA format.
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Applied Strategic Project (ASP) Guidelines
Each student is required to have at least 5 Meetings with their Academic Mentor (e.g. face-to-face,
Skype, Zoom, telephone). These meetings are expected to cover the following areas:
Meeting 3: Literature Review and Data Collection Strategy e.g., questionnaire design
The Academic Mentor should be willing to discuss ideas with you and let you casually explore
them for a time without a commitment to pursue them. However, most advisors will only be
willing to invest significant time and effort after you are sure that you have looked around and
settled on a project that you are committed to pursuing. Do respect the valuable time and
resources of advisors, while also remembering that you owe it to yourself to choose the project
that best suits you and in which you can progress independently.
Also, note that the services of the Academic Mentor will be available for the 4-month duration of
the project. If the student fails to complete the project during this time, they will not receive
advice from their mentor unless special approval is obtained from the Dean.
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Applied Strategic Project (ASP) Guidelines
This write-up should be included in your SOP and should include the reason(s) why the Industry
Mentor was chosen and the value addition she/ he would be able to give to the project. The
relationship between the student and the Industry Mentor should be one of a professional nature.
Please also submit the CV of the Industry Mentor and/ or LinkedIn Profile Link.
The Project consists of 5 credits of academic effort. Most participants become deeply involved in
the creative aspects of their projects and devote more than the minimum effort, often
continuing their research after the requirements have been completed. This depends on you,
your advisor, and the project you choose. The research, analysis and writing themselves often
take many hours. Be sure to discuss these matters in- depth with your Mentors to make sure
both o f you have realistic expectations about your project.
8. Grades/ Deadlines
A letter grade only will be assigned to the Project. Projects not submitted on the due date will
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Applied Strategic Project (ASP) Guidelines
not be considered for evaluation. Please note that incomplete projects or those awarded F
grades do not count towards graduation.
The weightage of the various components is as follows:
The following grades are awarded depending upon the merits of the report:
A+/ A: The participant has completed a research project and a report, of the highest quality,
academic and practical.
A/ A-: The research project is generally of very high quality. There is likely to be an area of
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Applied Strategic Project (ASP) Guidelines
further improvement.
B/ B-: The research project is of good to average quality.
C/ C-: The quality is generally below average.
D: The student has not undertaken any meaningful research, appropriate for the number of
credit hours. The participant has failed to produce a report of at least average quality. The
final presentation is likely much below average or poor.
F-, F: The student has not understood the project requirements, not carried out the
research in a systematic way and falling short of efforts and the minimum academic
standards.
9. Evaluation Scheme
Note: If a student is unable to start the ASP with their batch, they can seek extension to do it with
the next batch and that is subject to approval from the Dean / Assistant Dean.
9.1. Parameters for evaluating the EMBA ASP Proposal (15% written)
Max Marks
Parameters Comments
Marks Obtained
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Applied Strategic Project (ASP) Guidelines
Total 100
9.2. Parameters for evaluating the EMBA ASP Proposal (10% oral)
Parameters Max Marks
Comments
Marks Obtained
1. Business Issue/Research Objectives
- Business issue, research objectives
and milestones clearly presented 10
2. Literature review
- Clearly presented in appropriate depth
- Explained using the student’s own 15
words
3. Research Design
- Clear articulation of the research
design & details of proposed
methodology with rationale for chosen
approach 20
- Draft questions are presented, if
appropriate
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Applied Strategic Project (ASP) Guidelines
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Applied Strategic Project (ASP) Guidelines
Total 100
9.4. Parameters for evaluating the EMBA ASP Final Evaluation (40% written)
Parameters Max. Marks
Marks Obtained Comments
Total 100
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Applied Strategic Project (ASP) Guidelines
9.5. Parameters for evaluating the EMBA ASP Final Evaluation (25% oral)
Max. Marks
Parameters
Marks Obtained Comments
Total 100
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Applied Strategic Project (ASP) Guidelines
Student No.:
2
Batch number:
Proposed Industry Mentor: include name, title, organization and either CV or updated
4
LinkedIn profile
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Applied Strategic Project (ASP) Guidelines
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