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BUSINESS PROJECTS

The Business Projects Program of the PSU School of Business is the capstone experience for graduating MBA students. The goals of the program are twofold. First to challenge the students to demonstrate that they can apply the theoretical knowledge they have learned to a real business issue or problem. Second, to have the students learn what senior management expects from teams recommending changes to their business. These goals are met through a rigorous interactive process in which the student teams work as consultants to the business sponsoring the project.

Timing and Team Composition

At any time during the year, companies can propose interesting, challenging but real business problems for the student teams. These projects might include feasibility studies, strategic plan review, marketing strategies, financial analysis or modeling. We start projects four times a year at the beginning of each quarter. The companies, whose proposals are accepted help set the deliverables and manage the team as though the student teams were paid consultants.

Project teams are made up of 3-5 students who are in the last stages of their MBA + or MSFA (Masters of Science in Financial Analysis) programs. Each student is expected to contribute 150-200 hours of work on the project over a 12-18 week period. Each team has a faculty advisor, who acts much like a general partner in a consulting firm. The teams are required to make a final presentation to senior management and often provide detailed reports as a part of the project deliverables.

Client Responsibilities

Client companies are expected to provide the team with a company overview, details of the proposed project, access to key people and information and a contact person to work with the team to maintain schedules and focus. We have found that the best projects have a client contact that is vested in the outcome of the project. The amount of time required by the client depends on the project, but is usually not more than regular meetings with the team to discuss progress and resolve any outstanding issues. Clients approve and pay for any direct costs associated with the project.

Financial

Upon successful completion, a donation to the PSU Foundation is suggested, but is not required. Some companies donate stock or other valuable items. Throughout the program, we have seen that those companies that are willing to donate something are more involved in the project and outcomes, resulting in a better experience for the student teams.

How to Participate

Fill out the Business Project proposal or email Brian Ruder at ruderb@pdx.edu .