Mikki Hicks

The Real Struggles MBA Students Face While Completing Their Projects When I first started my MBA project I believed it would be easy. Select a subject, do some research, write about it and submit. Easy. I had envisioned the project could be completed in a couple of weeks, with a few late nights prior to the deadline. The reality hit quickly. The project isn't just simply a report. It tests your organization, perseverance and ability to deal with unexpected issues. Everyone in my class was challenged in one way or another. Many students assume they can take the project as regular assignments or case studies. They find out after a while that deadlines are closer than expected or the data is not up to date, chapters aren't connected and motivation is waning. The MBA project can be a nightmare in the event that you fail to manage it correctly. In this article, I will discuss the most common challenges students face along with solutions to deal with these. There isn't a secret formula however learning from mistakes helps a lot. Choosing a Topic Is Harder Than It Looks Selecting a topic can seem easy, but the truth is that it's not. I made the mistake in picking a topic that seemed appealing, but it was not able to complete. It took weeks as I attempted to gather data from companies who had not responded. My friends and I chose fashionable topics without considering whether data was available. The result is identical. Then you go on for weeks, and then feel overwhelmed. Practical topics are better than an impressive one. It must be in line with your resources and passion. For instance, for instance, instead of "The Future of Marketing in India" pick "Social Media Marketing Strategies in Local Retail Stores." It's specific, the data is more easy to gather, and the goal is clear. Objectives Are More Important Than You Think Objectives define your project. Most students fall into the error of writing vague objectives like "To study the impact of leadership on productivity." This says nothing. My own objectives had to be revised many times to make them specific and lucid. The clarity of your objectives will help you choose what method to use, how data is collected and analysis. If you don't have clear objectives, your project feels unconnected. I've learned to consider what I'm hoping to quantify and how I can tell if I am successful. These kinds of questions make a major difference in the high-quality of work. Collecting and Analysing Data Is Painful Data collection is the most common area in which students struggle. I contacted small businesses asking for surveys. Many ignored me completely while some promised me answers, but they did not arrive. While online surveys can help, the responses are typically not complete. Analysis is a further challenge. You can have perfect charts and tables however if you're not able to explain the meaning behind them, they're useless. I've seen friends copy graphs and charts without understanding. It is not a matter of fact that numbers prove anything unless you define them. An idea is to run your survey by talking to a few people at first. It allows you to identify questions that are unclear while avoiding wasting time. Always link your analysis with goals. If, for instance your project is to study customer satisfaction, make certain your survey is measurable and asks questions concerning service quality, product performance and speed of response. Time Management Is Tough Everyone knows that time management is crucial but in MBA it is harder than it might sound. Between lectures, group work in internships, assignments, and lectures there's plenty of time. When I put off chapters, I thought I could complete in a couple of days. A few weeks later, I was in panic mode. Breaking the project down into smaller tasks is helpful. Divide the project into literature review the methodology, data collection and analysis, as well as writing chapters individually. Be sure to record small gains every week. One chapter or part completed per week can be motivating. Writing Is Harder Than You Think Even with data ready writing can be a challenge. I had a difficult time explaining outcomes in a language that is simple. Some sections felt repetitive. I had to rewrite the chapter on analysis numerous times. Keep language simple and readable. Have your friends review the sections. Sometimes being absorbed in the work you are doing makes it difficult to find mistakes. Fresh eyes help a lot. Supervisors Can Be Helpful But Also Frustrating Working with a supervisor is difficult. Certain supervisors provide clear guidelines while others are ambiguous or difficult to work with. I waited over two weeks for one response. It slowed my progress. The most important thing is to stay proactive. Create specific questions, be polite and follow-up with a notepad to record feedback. The supervisor can be helpful, but it is your responsibility to be responsible for your own project. Formatting and References Matter I was hesitant to format at first. Fonts, spacing, certificates. I thought that I could rectify them later. Big mistake. It was almost delayed in the submission. References are equally vital. One missing citation can raise questions. Utilize software to manage the references you have and continue writing chapters, rather than waiting to finish. Correct formatting will make your document simple to follow and makes it appear more professional. Stress Is Real Stress is unavoidable. Deadlines, corrections and insufficient information can cause anxiety. Many nights, I stared at my screen and felt I'd never complete. Short breaks help. Friends talking, going for a walk, listening to music. Take small steps to celebrate your wins. Completely completing a literature review or collecting data are milestones. These milestones keep the drive alive. Ethical Confusion Many students get anxious about what type of help is allowed. You may seek guidance but can't ask for someone to write your project. Ethics guidance includes feedback on structure, methodology and clarity. Original work must remain yours. Asking for help does not be considered cheating. It is smart to use the resources available. Teachers will expect students get help when they are stuck. Reviewing Your Work I began by focusing on individual chapters initially. Then I realized the project in general had repeated terms along with inconsistencies in terms and links. Reading the project fully reveals holes. Imagine yourself as the examiner. You'll see mistakes you might have missed. Procrastination Destroys Quality It is a huge issue. I believed I could complete the data analysis and write in just a couple of hours. That didn't work. Each delay decreased quality. Get started early. Even one paragraph or section per day adds up. The task becomes easily manageable and not overwhelming. What I Learned The ignou mba project website (Article) project isn't hard because of the complexity. It's complicated because students fail to plan, aren't clear and guidance. There are mistakes to be expected. But the key is to make mistakes and keep moving forward. It is important to be organized, but being flexible is even more important. It is not often that things go according to plan. Sometimes, data is missing, supervisors will delay, obstacles will appear. The key is how you handle these problems. Break tasks down into small pieces with a focus on just one step at a given time, and have the right expectations. Projects are a way to teach students skills beyond academics. The discipline of research, time management clarity of writing and problem solving are skills that remain useful in professional life. The task is challenging but also practical. Closing Thoughts If you're beginning your MBA assignment, choose a topic you can actually research. Set out your goals clearly. Design small steps. For help, contact the experts. Take breaks. Keep your writing simple. Avoid chasing perfection. Begin with the basics early. The MBA project can be more that a formal report. It tests planning, patience and problem solving. You'll be challenged. Everyone does. However, every fight teaches us something. In the end, your project is more than just something you submit. It molds you into an individual, researcher, and even a future professional.