Rosalie Runyon

The Real Struggles MBA Students Face While Completing Their Projects When I first began my MBA project I imagined it would be straightforward. Select a subject, do some study, write about it and then submit. Easy. I had envisioned having it completed in a few weeks and a couple of late nights prior to the deadline. Reality struck fast. This project is more than the creation of a report. It tests your strategy, endurance and ability to deal with unexpected problems. Almost everyone in my batch had to work in some way. A majority of students think they will apply the same approach to their assignment or case study. Weeks later they realize that deadlines are closer than expected Data is not accurate, chapters are not linked and motivation decreases. The MBA project can be a nightmare if you don't manage it correctly. This article will highlight some of the challenges that students face along with solutions to deal with these. There isn't a magic formula but it is helpful to learn from past experiences a lot. Choosing a Topic Is Harder Than It Looks The process of choosing a topic might seem simple, but it's not. I made the mistake of selecting a topic which appeared to be impressive but was impossible to achieve. The weeks passed by while I attempted to gather data from companies that did not respond. My classmates were able to pick fashionable topics without thinking about whether they had data. The result is exactly the same. The result is that you waste time and are dissatisfied. Practical topics are better than a grandiose one. It should align with your capabilities and interests. For instance, substitute "The Future of Marketing in India" pick "Social Media Marketing Strategies in Local Retail Stores." The focus is on data, it is more easy to gather, and the objectives are clear. Objectives Are More Important Than You Think Objectives guide your whole project. There are many students who make the mistake of composing vague objectives like "To study the impact of leadership on productivity." This doesn't tell the whole story. I had to revise mine several times to make them specific and clear. Clear objectives help you decide methods, data collection and analysis. If the objectives aren't clear, your project will feel disconnected. I've learned how to ask myself what exactly I'm looking to measure, and how can know if it is a success. These types of questions make an enormous difference in the performance of your work. Collecting and Analysing Data Is Painful Data collection is the area where many students are struggling. I contacted small businesses asking for survey. Many ignored me completely while others promised answers that did not arrive. These surveys are helpful, but the responses are often incomplete. Analysis is a second challenge. You could have the most perfect charts and tables, but if you can't explain what they mean, they're unusable. I witnessed my classmates copy graphs directly without interpretation. It is not a matter of fact that numbers prove anything unless you explain them. A tip is to pilot your survey with a couple of people before you go to the next. It assists in identifying confusing questions and helps avoid wasting time. Always tie your analysis to goals. In the case of a project that studies customer satisfaction make sure your survey contains quantifiable information about the quality of service, product reliability, and time to respond. Time Management Is Tough Everyone agrees that time management is crucial but in MBA it is harder than it can sound. Between lectures, group projects along with internships and assignments there is not enough time. When I put off chapters, I thought I could finish them in a few days. Then, a couple of weeks later, I started to panic. The task can be broken down into smaller tasks helps. Split it up into literature review, methodology, data collection, analysis and writing chapters each separately. Begin to track small improvements each week. If you can even get one chapter or section completed each week can be a motivator. Writing Is Harder Than You Think Even when you have data ready, writing can be challenging. I had trouble explaining results in plain language. Certain sections felt repetitive. I changed the structure of the chapter many times. Make the language easy and understandable. Encourage your classmates to look over sections. Sometimes, getting caught up in your work, it becomes difficult to find mistakes. Fresh eyes help a lot. Supervisors Can Be Helpful But Also Frustrating It can be difficult. Some are clear with their instructions and others are incoherent or difficult to work with. I waited 2 weeks for the one response, and it held up my progress. The most important thing is to be proactive. You should prepare specific questions, then ensure that you follow up in a professional manner and keep a record of feedback. Supervisors may help but you need to be accountable for the project you are working on. Formatting and References Matter At first, I didn't bother with formatting. Fonts, spacing, certificates. I believed I could change them later. Big mistake. It was almost delayed in submission. References are equally crucial. One missing citation can raise questions. Make use of tools for managing references, and do this while writing chapters, not waiting for the completion. A properly formatted project is simple to follow and more professional. Stress Is Real Stress is unavoidable. deadlines, corrections, and insufficient data can create a huge amount of stress. Many nights, I stared at the screen and felt like I'd never get it done. Short breaks help. Engaging with friends, taking a walk to the park, listening to music. Be grateful for small achievements. In the process of finishing a literature study or data collection are achievements. They keep motivation fresh. Ethical Confusion Students are often confused about what kind of assistance is permitted. If you want to get help, but you are not able to have someone write your paper. Ethical guidance includes feedback on structure, methodology and clarity. Original work must remain yours. Requesting guidance does not suggest cheating. You should make the most of available resources. Teachers will expect students take advantage of assistance if they're stuck. Reviewing Your Work I concentrated on each chapter individually initially. Later I realized the project as a whole had repetitions or terms that were not consistent and there were no hyperlinks. By examining the project in detail, I discovered gaps. Imagine yourself as the examiner. You'll see mistakes you may have missed. Procrastination Destroys Quality Delaying work is a big problem. I believed I could complete the data analysis and write in a couple of nights. The plan never came to fruition. Each delay diminished quality. Get started early. A single paragraph or section every day adds up. The project is now feasible instead of overwhelming. What I Learned The MBA project isn't difficult because of the complexity. The reason it is difficult is because students underestimate the importance of planning, clarity and direction. We all make mistakes. The most important thing is to learn and continue to improve. Being organized is helpful but flexibility is crucial. Things don't always go according to plan. Sometimes, data is missing the supervisor will not be forthcoming and obstacles may arise. It's all in how you respond to these problems. Break tasks down into small pieces in a focused manner, work on one thing at a time, and maintain reasonable expectations. Projects help students develop skills that go beyond academics. The discipline of research, time management clear writing and problem-solving are all lessons that can be used in professional life. The work is difficult, however, it's also practical. Closing Thoughts If you're about to start your MBA project, select a topic that you could actually study. Create clear objectives. Design small steps. For help, contact the experts. Take breaks. Keep your writing simple. Avoid chasing perfection. Begin with the basics early. The IGNOU MBA project help project will be more than just a document. It tests patience, planning and problem solving. You'll be challenged. Everyone does. Every struggle can teach us something. The project does not just get submitted. It helps you become a student, researcher as well as a potential professional.