Overview
The MBA Applied Project (APRJ-699) is an academic research paper completed in five months. The paper is a capstone undertaking completed with guidance from an academic supervisor. The Applied Project involves a review of the literature and the systematic application of frameworks, models, concepts, and theories from MBA courses to a specific business problem or situation, for which students develop practical recommendations.
Applied Project research typically involves an exploration of a managerial topic, issue, or problem. Here are just a few examples:
- A review of the relevant strategy literature and the application of internal and external environmental analyses to a company’s strategic plan.
- A review of the relevant marketing frameworks and application of relevant frameworks to a company’s plans for a new product or service.
- A review of the relevant project management literature on lessons learned and a critical assessment of a project in terms of shortcomings, best practices, and lessons learned.
- A review of the relevant human resources literature on competences and the application to a company’s needs for succession planning.
Many students have used the Applied Project to develop a business plan for the purpose of launching a new venture.
Applied Project abstracts and a number of full papers can be accessed within the AU Library’s Digital Thesis & Project Room.
Evaluation
The Applied Project paper is a master’s level academic paper, approximately 15,000 words in length. The paper is marked on a pass/fail basis and a grade of 70% is required to pass. The course is worth 9 credits and must be completed in five months.