Yvonne Dresdner

The Real Struggles MBA Students Face While Completing Their Projects When I started my MBA project I imagined it would be straightforward. Pick a theme, do some research, create a report and submit. Easy. I imagined working on it in just a few weeks. I could have a couple of late nights prior to the date. The reality hit quickly. The project isn't merely the creation of a report. It tests your preparation, the ability to persevere and deal with unexpected problems. In my class, almost everyone experienced some sort of difficulty. Many students believe that they should use the project in the same way as regular papers or studies. A few weeks later, they realize deadlines are nearer than they expected The data isn't up to scratch, chapters are not linked and motivation drops. The MBA project may become overwhelming should you not manage it in a way that is effective. Here I will outline the difficulties that students are faced with along with ways to deal with them. There's no secret formula but learning from experience helps greatly. Choosing a Topic Is Harder Than It Looks A topic could seem straightforward, but it's actually not. I made the error of choosing a subject that looked appealing but was hard for me to do. It took weeks as I attempted to collect data from companies who did not reply. My classmates were able to pick trendy topics, without considering whether they had data. The result is similar. It can take weeks before you feel frustrated. A topic that is practical is more effective than a dazzling one. It should be compatible with your resources and your passion. For instance, Instead of "The Future of Marketing in India" opt for "Social Media Marketing Strategies in Local Retail Stores." It's targeted, data can be collected more easily and the goals are clearly defined. Objectives Are More Important Than You Think The objectives you choose for your project will guide the entire work. Numerous students do the mistake of writing vague goals such as "To study the impact of leadership on productivity." This doesn't tell the whole story. I had to revise mine many times to make them quantifiable and lucid. The clarity of your objectives will help you choose methodology, data collection and analysis. If the goals aren't clear, the project feels unconnected. I've learned how to ask myself what I'm hoping in order to determine and how can know if it is a success. These questions create a huge difference in the level of work. Collecting and Analysing Data Is Painful The process of collecting data is where the majority of students struggle. I contacted small businesses asking for survey. Some refused to answer me, and others promised to answer questions that never arrived. Answers to online surveys are helpful but are usually not complete. Analyzing is another issue. You can create perfect tables and charts but if you can't explain the meaning behind them, they're useless. Students copied graphs straight without understanding. They don't have any proof unless you explain them. A good tip is to practice your survey with a few people prior to completing it. It aids in finding confusing questions and saves time. Always ensure that your analysis is linked to objectives. In the case of a project that is to study customer satisfaction, make certain the survey you conduct asks quantifiable questions about service quality, product reliability and response time. Time Management Is Tough Everyone says time management is important, but for MBA it's harder than it does. Between lectures, group projects and assignments, there is always a lack of time. I held off on chapters, thinking I could complete in a couple of days. Then, a couple of weeks later, I started to panic. Breaking the project into smaller activities can be helpful. Divide it into literature review research, methodology, data acquisition and analysis, as well as writing chapters one at a time. Track small progress every week. It doesn't matter if you have one chapter, or even one section done each week can be a motivator. Writing Is Harder Than You Think Even with data prepared writing can be a challenge. I had difficulty explaining the results in simple language. Certain sections seemed repetitive. The analysis chapter was rewritten numerous times. Make sure that the language is simple and easy to read. Ask friends to review sections. Sometimes, getting too absorbed in your work, it becomes difficult to identify mistakes. Fresh eyes help a lot. Supervisors Can Be Helpful But Also Frustrating The work of a supervisory is tricky. Some supervisors are clear while others can be vague or hard to meet. I waited for two weeks for the one response, and it held up my progress. The most important thing is to stay proactive. Create specific questions, be polite and follow-up with a notepad to record feedback. Supervisors can be helpful, but you need to own your own work. Formatting and References Matter I initially ignored formatting. Fonts, spacing, certificates. I believed I could make them better later. Big mistake. It was almost delayed in submission. References are equally crucial. One missing citation can raise questions. Utilize software to manage references while writing chapters, instead of waiting for the end. Proper formatting makes your paper more readable and makes it appear more professional. Stress Is Real Stress is unavoidable. Deadlines, corrections and unfinished data can be a burden. At times, I stared at the monitor and thought I'd never make it through. Short breaks help. Talking to friends, going for walks, or just listening to music. Take small steps to celebrate your wins. Achieving a completed literature review or the data collection are important milestones. They maintain motivation. Ethical Confusion Students often get confused by what type of help is allowed. You may ask for help but you cannot ask someone to write your essay. Ethical guidance may include comments on the structure, methodology, and clarity. The original work is yours to keep. The act of seeking guidance doesn't be considered cheating. It's a good idea to take advantage of the resources available. The teacher expects students to ask for help if they're stuck. Reviewing Your Work I decided to focus on the chapters one at a time initially. Then, I realized the book in general had repeated terms with inconsistent terminology and a lack of links. If you go through the entire project thoroughly, you'll find imperfections. Imagine yourself as an examiner. It will be easier to spot errors that you would have wouldn't have noticed otherwise. Procrastination Destroys Quality This is a major problem. I was thinking I could complete the data analysis and write within a couple of days. The plan never came to fruition. Every delay lowered quality. Begin early. Even a paragraph or a section per day adds up. The project becomes easily manageable and not overwhelming. What I Learned The MBA project isn't hard because of complexity. It's hard because students lack clarity, planning and direction. It is normal to make mistakes. But the key is to make mistakes and move forward. Being organized is good, but flexibility is crucial. It is not often that things go according to plan. There will be data that isn't there Supervisors will be delayed, obstacles will appear. It's about how you address these issues. Divide tasks into chunks each step, concentrate on a single step at a given time, and have an eye on your expectations. Projects develop skills beyond academics. The discipline of research, time management written clarity, problem solving are some of the lessons that remain useful in professional life. The work is difficult, but it's also practical. Closing Thoughts If you're about to start your IGNOU MBA project experts project, select a topic which you are able to study. Be clear on your objectives. Develop small steps. When needed, seek guidance. Take breaks. Keep your writing simple. Avoid chasing perfection. Begin early. The MBA project goes beyond a simple report. It tests your planning skills, patience and problem solving. There will be some struggles. Everyone does. But every challenge teaches you something. In the end, the project will not be submitted. It defines you as an individual, researcher, and the next professional.