Trevor Luong

The Real Struggles MBA Students Face While Completing Their Projects When I began my MBA project I imagined it would be straightforward. Select a topic of interest, do some research, then write it up and then submit. Easy. I had envisioned having it completed in a few weeks with a couple of late nights prior to the deadline. It was a shock to the system. It's not just writing a document. It tests your strategy, determination and ability to deal with unexpected issues. A majority of my classmates faced challenges in some manner. Many students believe that they should think of the project as regular essays or research. After a few weeks, they realize that deadlines are a bit closer than they had hoped The data isn't up to scratch, chapters don't align or connect, and motivation levels drop. The MBA project could be overwhelming should you not manage it in a way that is effective. Below I will describe some of the challenges that students face and the best ways to deal with them. There isn't a secret formula however, learning from experiences helps greatly. Choosing a Topic Is Harder Than It Looks It may appear straightforward, but it's actually not. I made the mistake of picking a topic that seemed appealing, but it was not able in the execution. For weeks, I tried to collect data from companies which never contacted me. Some of my colleagues chose fashionable topics without considering whether there was data available. The result is the same. It takes weeks to feel angry. An approachable topic is much better than a grandiose one. It should correspond to your resources and your passion. For example instead of "The Future of Marketing in India" choose "Social Media Marketing Strategies in Local Retail Stores." It's a focused approach, and data can be gathered more quickly and goals are more clear. Objectives Are More Important Than You Think Objectives guide your whole project. Many students make the error of composing vague objectives like "To study the impact of leadership on productivity." That tells nothing. I had to edit mine numerous times in order to make them more measurable and clear. With clear objectives, you can decide on methodology, data collection and analysis. If your objectives are not clear, your project seems unconnected. I've learned how to ask myself what I am trying to assess and how will know if my efforts are successful. These questions can make a huge difference in the efficiency of work. Collecting and Analysing Data Is Painful Data collection is the most common area in which students have difficulty. I spent days calling small businesses asking questions. Some did not respond and others promised to answer questions that didn't come. These surveys are helpful, but the responses are often not always complete. Analyzing data is a challenge in itself. There are no limits to the quality of tables and charts but if you cannot explain what they mean they are useless. I have seen students copy graphs with no explanation. Data does not establish anything unless you provide them with explanations. It is a good idea to test your survey with a handful of people prior to completing it. It will help you find the most confusing questions and saves time. Always link your analysis with the goals. If, for instance your project is to study customer satisfaction, make certain your survey contains quantifiable information regarding the quality of service, product reliability, and time to respond. Time Management Is Tough Everyone knows that time management is vital, but in MBA it's harder than it appears. Between lectures, group work and assignments, there's not enough time. I held off on chapters, thinking I could complete them in a few days. However, after a few weeks I was worried. The task can be broken down into smaller steps can help. The project can be divided into literature reviews research, methodology, data acquisition and analysis and write chapters for each. Record small, incremental progress every week. It doesn't matter if you have one chapter, or even one section done each week will be motivating. Writing Is Harder Than You Think Even with data-ready writing can be difficult. I had trouble explaining my findings in a straightforward manner. Some sections felt repetitive. I rewrote the analysis chapter many times. Keep your language simple and easily understood. Encourage your classmates to look over sections. Sometimes, getting caught up in the project you're working on makes it difficult to notice errors. Fresh eyes help a lot. Supervisors Can Be Helpful But Also Frustrating Being a supervisor is difficult. Certain supervisors provide clear guidelines and others are incoherent or difficult to work with. It took me two weeks to get an answer, which slowed my progress. It is important to be proactive. Prepare specific questions, ensure that you follow up in a professional manner and keep a record of feedback. The supervisor can be helpful, but it is your responsibility to be responsible for the project you are working on. Formatting and References Matter I initially didn't care about formatting. Fonts, spacing, certificates. I believed I would fix them later. Big mistake. It almost delayed submission. References are equally important. One missing citation can raise questions. Utilize software to manage references and do it while writing chapters rather than waiting for the finish. A proper format makes your work easy to understand and makes it appear more professional. Stress Is Real Stress is unavoidable. Timelines, corrections, and incomplete information can overwhelm. Sometimes I sat at the monitor and thought I'd never complete. Short breaks help. Chatting with friends, going for a walk, listening to music. Be grateful for small achievements. The completion of a literature review, or your data collection is a milestone. They maintain motivation. Ethical Confusion Many students get anxious about the type of help permitted. You can ask for guidance but not have someone help you write your own project. Ethics guidance includes feedback on the structure, methodology, and clarity. The original work is yours to keep. Asking for help does not constitute cheating. It is wise to utilize the resources available. Students are expected to get help when they are stuck. Reviewing Your Work I concentrated on each chapter individually initially. Then I realized the project as a whole was full of repetitions, inconsistent terms and missing links. When I read the entire project, it reveals areas of confusion. Imagine yourself as the examiner. You'll see mistakes you did not notice otherwise. Procrastination Destroys Quality Reducing work time is a huge problem. I thought I could finish data analysis and writing in the space of a couple nights. That never worked. Every delay diminished the quality. Get started early. Every paragraph or part each day adds up. The project becomes smaller and less daunting. What I Learned The MBA project isn't difficult because of complexity. It's complicated because students underestimate planning, clarity and direction. We all make mistakes. The key is to learn and keep moving forward. The ability to organize is beneficial, but flexibility is what's more important. It is not often that things go according to plan. Some information may be missing as well as supervisors might delay the process and obstacles may arise. The difference is in how your approach to these issues. Break tasks down into sections so that you can focus on one action in a row, and adhere to realistic expectations. Projects provide skills that aren't just academic. Discipline in research, time management, writing clarity and problem-solving are all lessons that remain useful in professional life. It's stressful but it's also practical. Closing Thoughts If you're beginning your MBA project, choose a subject you can actually research. Establish clear goals. Create small steps. You can ask for help if you need. Take breaks. Make sure your writing is simple. Avoid chasing perfection. Start on time. The MBA project goes beyond a simple report. It tests your patience, planning and problem solving. You'll be challenged. Everyone does. However, every battle teaches us something. It's the final product that will not be submitted. It defines you as an undergraduate, researcher or a possible professional.