Susanne Paspalis

The Real Struggles MBA Students Face While Completing Their Projects When I began my MBA project, I believed it would be easy. Pick a theme, do some researching, write it down and then submit. Easy. I imagined the project could be completed in a couple of weeks, and then a few late nights before the deadline. Reality hit me hard. The project will not be reporting. It tests your strategy, determination and ability to deal with unexpected challenges. The majority of my cohort suffered in a way. Many students think that they can use the project in the same way as regular homework or as case studies. They find out after a while that deadlines are closer than expected Data is not accurate, chapters are not connected, and motivation suffers. The MBA project can become overwhelming if you don't manage the task correctly. This article will highlight some of the challenges that students face and the best ways to deal with them. There is no magic formula however, learning from experiences helps a lot. Choosing a Topic Is Harder Than It Looks Selecting a topic can seem easy, but this isn't. I made the mistake selecting a topic I thought seemed intriguing but was nearly impossible to complete. It took weeks as I attempted to gather data from companies who did not reply. My classmates would pick fashionable topics without considering whether there was data available. The result is identical. You spend weeks feeling exhausted. Practical topics are better than an overly enthralling one. The topic should be in line with your available resources and passion. For example Instead of "The Future of Marketing in India" opt for "Social Media Marketing Strategies in Local Retail Stores." This is a more targeted approach to data collection, so it is simpler to gather and goals are more clear. Objectives Are More Important Than You Think Objectives should guide your entire project. Numerous students do the mistake of writing vague objectives such as "To study the impact of leadership on productivity." This says nothing. I had to write mine many times to make them quantifiable and lucid. Specific objectives assist you in deciding how to approach data collection, methodology and analysis. If your objectives are not clear enough, your project can feel a bit disconnected. I've learned to consider what exactly I want in order to determine and how will know if I succeed. These questions can make a huge difference in the performance of your work. Collecting and Analysing Data Is Painful Data collection is one of the areas where students are struggling. I spent a long time contacting small businesses asking questions. Some of them ignored me completely, while other companies promised me answers but were never delivered. Answers to online surveys are helpful but are often incomplete. The analysis is yet another problem. You could have the most perfect charts and tables however if you're not able to explain what they mean, they're not useful. I've seen classmates copy graphs and charts without understanding. They don't have any proof unless you provide them with explanations. A good tip is to practice your survey in the presence of a few persons first. It aids in finding confusing questions and can help avoid time. Make sure you link your analysis to the goals. If for example, your study studies customer satisfaction make sure the questionnaire includes measurable questions about the quality of service, product quality, and the speed of response. Time Management Is Tough Everybody says that managing time is important, but in MBA it is harder than it sounds. Between lectures, group work and assignments, there's always a lack of time. When I put off chapters, I thought I could complete in a couple of days. Then, a couple of weeks later, I started to panic. The task can be broken down into smaller assignments can make it easier. The project can be divided into literature reviews method, data collection and analysis, as well as writing chapters one at a time. Monitor your progress weekly in small increments. The idea of having a chapter or section that you complete each week can be a motivator. Writing Is Harder Than You Think Even with data prepared writing can be difficult. I had difficulty explaining the results in a simple way. Certain sections seemed repetitive. I wrote the analysis chapter several times. Maintain a simple language that is easy to read. Consider having your friends read the sections. Sometimes being too immersed in the work you are doing makes it difficult to recognize mistakes. Fresh eyes help a lot. Supervisors Can Be Helpful But Also Frustrating Being a supervisor is challenging. Some offer clear guidelines while others can be vague or difficult to work with. I waited two weeks to receive the one response, and it held up my progress. The most important thing is to stay proactive. Prepare specific questions, respond politely, and then record feedback. Supervisors help but you have to take responsibility for the project you are working on. Formatting and References Matter I did not pay attention to formatting in the beginning. Fonts, spacing, certificates. I believed that I could rectify them later. Big mistake. It could have delayed the submission. References are equally vital. One missing citation can raise questions. Utilize software to manage references, and you can do it while writing chapters, rather than waiting until the last. Correct formatting will make your document easy to understand and IGNOUMBAproject (www.annunciogratis.net) makes it appear more professional. Stress Is Real Stress is unavoidable. Deadlines, corrections and incomplete information can overwhelm. Many nights, I stared at the computer screen, feeling as if I'd never be finished. Short breaks help. Making friends with your partner, going for a walk, listening to music. Enjoy small victories. Completing a literature review or the data collection process are significant milestones. They keep motivation fresh. Ethical Confusion Students often get confused by the kind of assistance permitted. There is a possibility of asking for guidance however you can't have someone else write your proposal. Ethics guidance includes feedback on structure, methodology and clarity. Original work must remain yours. The act of seeking guidance doesn't suggest cheating. It is wise to utilize the resources available. Students are expected to seek assistance when stuck. Reviewing Your Work I focused on chapters individually initially. Then, I realized the book overall was a mess of repetitions as well as inconsistent terms, and no links. The project's comprehensive review reveals areas of confusion. Imagine yourself as the examiner. You'll catch errors you could have missed. Procrastination Destroys Quality Reducing work time is a huge issue. I was hoping to finish data analysis and writing within a couple of days. That didn't work. Each delay diminished quality. Get started early. Even a single paragraph every day adds to. The project becomes easily manageable and not overwhelming. What I Learned The MBA project isn't hard because of the complexity. It's difficult because students aren't aware of planning, clarity and guidance. Mistakes are normal. But the key is to make mistakes to move on. Being organized is helpful but flexibility is more important. Things aren't always as they appear. Some information will be lost The supervisors will hesitate while obstacles will pop up. The difference is in the way you respond to these problems. Break up tasks into parts with a focus on just one step at a moment, and set the right expectations. Projects can teach you skills beyond the academic. Research discipline, time management, writing clarity and problem solving are skills which are still relevant in professional life. The project can be stressful, yet also practical. Closing Thoughts If you're preparing to begin your MBA assignment, choose a topic which you are able to study. It is important to define your goals. Develop small steps. Request help when you need it. Take breaks. Keep your writing simple. Avoid chasing perfection. Begin in the early hours. The MBA project is more than a report. It tests the patience of the planner, and problem-solving. There will be some struggles. Everyone does. Every struggle can teach us something. The project isn't just about being completed. It molds you into an undergraduate, researcher and the next professional.