Capstone (CAPS) 698
Status:
Open
Delivery mode:
Paced study or Online. Delivered via Brightspace.
Credits:
6
Area of study:
Business
Prerequisites:
Completion of all Phase 1 and Phase 2 core courses.
Precluded:
None
Faculty:
Academic Area Manager:
Overview
CAPS 698 – Capstone (Simulation) is the culminating experience of the MBA program. Students operate a simulated company within a dynamic and competitive marketplace, making strategic, operational, and ethical decisions across six quarters. The scenario involves launching a company offering 3D-printed carbon fiber bicycles, balancing innovation, profitability, and social responsibility under the Conscious Capitalism framework.
The course offers an experiential and integrative learning environment that synthesizes MBA-level knowledge in marketing, operations, finance, HR, and leadership. Students are assessed through a project proposal, interim report, and final reflective report rather than traditional exams or literature reviews.
Outline
This course is divided into 10 lessons/weeks:
- Lesson/Week 1: Establish Your Company and Submit Proposal
- Lesson/Week 2: Organize Your Firm and Set Up Shop (Quarter 1)
- Lesson/Week 3: Go to Test Market (Quarter 2)
- Lesson/Week 4: Make Skillful Adjustments and Expand Market (Quarter 3)
- Lesson/Week 5: Invest in the Future (Quarter 4)
- Lesson/Week 6: Expand Your Business Strategy (Quarter 5)
- Lesson/Week 7: Refine Your Business Strategy (Quarter 6)
- Lesson/Week 8: Review Your Final Results (Quarter 7)
- Lesson/Week 9: Draft Your Report Outline
- Lesson/Week 10: Finalize and Submit Your Final Report
| Lesson/Week | Topic | Assessment |
| 1 | Course Orientation & Strategic Setup Introduction to the simulation platform. Students define their company’s identity, mission, values, and strategic direction. They explore the market research, select their target segments, and write their Capstone Project Proposal, which must be approved by the Academic Area Manager to proceed. | Capstone Project Proposal (1000–1200 words) |
| 2 | Operational Launch Quarter 1: Students make their first business decisions, including brand creation, production setup, and outlet location. | Submit Quarter 1 Simulation Decisions |
| 3 | Go to Market Quarter 2: Students implement marketing mix decisions, set prices, launch ads and digital campaigns, and evaluate test market entry. | Submit Quarter 2 Simulation Decisions |
| 4 | Strategic Refinement Quarter 3: Students analyse test market feedback and make tactical adjustments to improve product-market fit and operations. | Submit Quarter 3 Simulation Decisions |
| 5 | Growth & Investment Quarter 4: Venture funding enables expansion, R&D, and HR upgrades. Students reflect on performance and prepare their mid-course analysis. | Submit Quarter 4 Simulation Decisions; Interim Progress Report (2000–2500 words) |
| 6 | Expansion Quarter 5Students expand product lines, increase production, and consider licensing options while refining competitive strategy. | Submit Quarter 5 Simulation Decisions |
| 7 | Performance Optimization Quarter 6: Final opportunity to maximize scorecard metrics and consolidate strategic leadership in the market. | Submit Quarter 6 Simulation Decisions |
| 8 | Performance Review Quarter 7: Final evaluation of company performance across all quarters. Students assess strategic, financial, and stakeholder outcomes. | Simulation Performance Review; Submit Marketplace Certificate |
| 9 | Drafting the Final Report Students prepare an outline of their final report, integrating simulation decisions, performance analysis, and leadership reflections. | Report Outline (Optional) |
| 10 | Submit Final Capstone Report Final synthesis of strategy, results, conscious capitalism, and professional reflections. | Final Report (5000–5500 words) |
Learning outcomes
By the end of this course, students should be able to:
- Integrate strategic, financial, operational, and ethical decision-making in a simulated business environment.
- Apply MBA-level theories and tools to solve business problems.
- Interpret simulation outcomes and adjust strategies accordingly.
- Demonstrate conscious leadership, stakeholder orientation, and a higher business purpose
- Reflect critically on personal leadership development and decision-making styles.
- Communicate strategic insights through a comprehensive professional report.
Evaluation
Your grade will be based on the successful completion of three written assignments, evaluated on a Pass/Fail basis, and the submission of your simulation certificate:
| Activity | Weight |
|---|---|
| Completion of Simulation Rounds (i.e., Quarters 1-6) | Pass/Fail |
| Proposal (Week 1) | Pass/Fail |
| Interim Progress Report (Week 5) | Pass/Fail |
| Final Report (Week 10) | Pass/Fail |
To receive a passing grade in this course, you must meet these minimum standards:
- Complete all the Simulation Rounds
- Receive a Pass on all three deliverables (Proposal, Interim Report, Final Report).
- Submit the official Marketplace Simulation Certificate.
- Meet deadlines as specified.
Materials
Marketplace Simulation Platform: Conscious Capitalism® Bikes
Access Link: https://play.marketplace-simulation.com
Supplementary Readings and Resources:
All additional materials, including articles on Conscious Capitalism, simulation guides, and reflective writing resources are available online through the Digital Reading Room (DRR) in Brightspace.
Athabasca University reserves the right to amend course outlines occasionally and without notice. Courses offered by other delivery modes may vary from their individualized study counterparts.
Updated November 12, 2025