How to Prepare For a Summer Project

I) Introduction 1) PGDMStudentsarerequiredtocarryoutasummerprojectandsubmitaProjectReportasa requirementofthePGDMPrograminIVTerm. 2) TheProjectworkshoulddemonstratetheabilityofthestudentintermsofdatacollection, applicationofconceptslearntduringthefirstthreeterms,analysisofdata,formulationof recommendations and suggestions of a viable scheme for implementation of the recommendations. 3) Thequalityandcontentoftheprojectratherthanthecompanyandtheguidemattersduring thecourseofplacement interviews. Therefore, donotbechoosyaboutthecompany to pursueyoursummerproject. 4) TheTitle /Topicofsummerprojectisnotinyourhandandinvariablydependsuponthe companyguide. 5) Companymayhaveaspecificprojectintheirmindwhichtheymayaskyoutodo.Youcan takehelpofyourfacultyguideandbymutualdiscussionthescopeoftheprojectcanbe enriched. Typeofprojectsindifferentfunctionalareas Finance Analyzethefinancialhealthofacompany Interfirmcomparison Analyzethestockmarketperformanceofacompany Raisecapitalanalyzealternatives Costauditing Capitalbudgetingandinvestmentappraisals Debtrestructuring Forecasting Pricing Financialprojections StrategicManagement Strategicplanning,preparationoflongtermplanswithvisionandmissionstatements,goals andtargets IdentifyopportunitiesforMergersandAcquisitions,duediligence Breakevenanalysis,sensitivityanalysis Application of different models like BCG Product portfolio matrix, Mckinsey 7S frame work,GEmarketattractivenessmodelandothers Revivalofsickindustries,developingstrategiesforturnaround Successionplanning III) Researchprocess Theresearchprocessgoesthroughthefollowingsteps.Eachoneisdiscussedindetailseparately.

II)

 IV)

Problemformulation Researchmethodology Researchdesign Selectingdatacollectiontechniques Sampledesign Datacollection Analysisandinterpretationofdata Conclusions Recommendations Reportwriting

Howtostart? Thesearethesteps,whichyoucanundertake: Prepareaproposalspellingoutobjectivesofthestudy,researchmethodologytobeused, coverage(Geographical,SampleframeandSamplesize),timetableandoutofpocketcosts. Showthistoyourcompanysupervisorandobtainhisapproval GetapprovalfromyourInternalGuide. ReportWriting Areportmustbepresentedinaprofessionalmanner. FormatofReport Titlepage Contentspage Certificates Executivesummary Introduction Companyandproductprofile Secondaryresearchdata/industrydata Analysisofquestionnaireandinterpretation Conclusions Recommendations Bibliography Appendix Someoftheabovearediscussedseparatelywherenormallystudentsarefoundwanting. ExecutiveSummary 12pages Itshouldbrieflydefinetheobjectivesandresearchmethodologyused Itshouldgiveasummaryofthefindingswhichyouwilldrawfromyourconclusionsand recommendations Itshouldnotgivedetailsofinformationalreadyknowntothecompany. Itispreparedforthebenefitofseniorexecutiveswhodonothavetimetoreadtheentire report Introduction ObjectivescanbebrokendownasPrimaryObjectivesandSecondaryObjectives

V)

ResearchMethodologywhetherprimaryresearchusedorsecondaryresearch Coveragethetowns/areascovered,thepeoplemet Sampleselectionwhichmethodofsamplinghasbeenused Timeperiodthemonthanddaysduringwhichtheresearchwasdone Limitationsdetailsonthetypeofdatawhichcouldnotbecollectedandthereasonsthereof Deliverableshowthisresearchworkcanbeusedbythecompany

Conclusions Theywillbebasedonyouranalysisofthesecondaryandprimarydata Thesecondarydatawillbeusedfortrendanalysis Theprimarydatawillbeusedtounderstanduserrequirements Together,youdrawspecificconclusionswithrespecttotheobjectivesoftheresearch. Recommendations Ensurethatyourrecommendationsfulfilltheobjectives Theyshouldbeclearandspecific For projects in strategic management and / or marketing, the recommendations can be offeredunderrespectiveheadingsasgivenbelow: References/Bibliography There is a difference between these two terms. When you give a specific quote and the page number/sfromasource,itiscalleda'reference'. Whenyougiveonlythesourceinaparticular format,itiscalled'bibliography'. Bibliography Books Y.K.Alagh:RegionalAspectsofIndianIndustrialization,universityofBombay,1977. Articles ChakrabartyS.OntheQuestionofHomeMarketandProspectsofIndianGrowth,EPW,Spl. NoAug.1972 Reference Anshuman,VRaviandS.Chandrashekar(2003),BenchmarketingIIMBangalorePGP CourseculumtoGlobalStandards,workingpaper:IIMBangalore,Decemberpp........... Thiswillincludeallsecondarysourceswhichyoumayhaveusedduringthestudy May include textbooks, newspapers or magazines, reports and data obtained from governmentpublications,websitesandanyothers. Itisimperativethatyouacknowledgeallsourcesofsecondaryinformation Thereferenceshavetobegiveninaparticularformat. The textbooks should be given as shown Name of the author, name of the book, edition,nameofpublisherandthespecificpage,whichyouhavereferred. Newspaperandmagazinesshouldgivethedateandpagenumber Websitesshouldbelistedaccordingly Thereisageneraltendencyofthestudentstoindulgein'piracy'.Avoidit.

Youcanfoolyourselfandyourinstitutebycopingareportbutyouwillneverlearnthe researchmethodologyandalsomayfaceprobleminvivavoce. Doasincerejobandyouwillfeelimmensesatisfaction. Asummerprojectisyourfirst professionalwork.Itwillunderscoreyourcreativity.