GUIDELINES for LAYOUT of the MBA PROJECT The project should be between 10,000 and 15,000 words (excluding appendices and references) and be produced single sided, in Arial, 12pt on good quality A4 paper. Margins: 2.54 cm at all round (normal setting). Spacing: Double line spacing should be used throughout. Paragraphs should be separated with a blank line. Binding: The project should be bound, preferably spiral bound, Pagination Pages should be numbered consecutively throughout the project, excluding preliminaries, references and appendices. Library Permission This should be completed as appropriate (see Appendix 4. Abstract - not exceeding 300 words should appear alone on the next page. Acknowledgements - It is acceptable to acknowledge any special assistance received in the course of preparing your project, particularly if assistance has come from outside organisations or individuals. Acknowledgements, however, should be kept to the minimum necessary and should appear alone on a page. Statement of Copyright - should be included on the title page so that the author's rights are safeguarded if copies are made of the project: "The copyright of this project rests with the author. No quotation from it should be published without his/her prior written consent and information derived from it should be acknowledged". Table of Contents - should follow, giving chapter, section and sub-section titles and page numbers. • Main text of project, divided into chapters, sections, etc., each with a clear title. • Footnotes - if used place at end of text (see below). • References • Appendices Footnotes – guidance Purpose You can use footnotes to • amplify a point that is not central to the main argument of the text, introducing a parenthetic discussion that is not long enough to form an appendix • provide a cross-reference to other parts of the project. Footnotes are an interruption to the reader and should be kept to what is strictly necessary. It is recommended that you do not use footnotes in your text or at the bottom of a page. Footnotes should be placed in a separate section of the project at the end of the text and immediately before the references. Note: please see the module workbook on Online World for more information about how to structure your strategic project. Business development proposal guideline / check list Chap marks 1 Introduction Is the title stated clearly? Is the abstract written clearly? Is the introduction chapter well organised? Are the aims and objectives clearly expresses? 15 1.1 title 1.2 abstract 1.3 rationale for the business idea ….. 1.4 scenario chosen 1.5 aims and objectives of the project 1.6 Structure of the project 2 Literature review Is extensive secondary research on the business project evident? Is the industry size, major players, growth rate, competitor analysis seen? 25 2.1 literature review on that industry 2.2 industry size 2.3 growth rate 2.4 major players/ competitor’s analysis 2.5 the business ides explained in details 2.6 marketing mix analysis 2.7 segmentation 2.8 target market 2,9 positioning 3 Methodology for study are concepts and techniques to be applied identified (andDuly referenced)? Is the basis which will be used to assess the feasibility of the business development proposal clearly stated? Are source of data, and ethical issues stated? 20 3.1 Explaining what reach methods will be undertaken to collect the data for starting the business 3.2 primary and secondary market research 3.3 Feasibility (product/service, industry/market, organisation, financial feasibility issues). 3.4 resource requirement evaluation 4 Result and discussion Are the techniques stated in 4 properly applied? Is there adequate analysis? Are resource availability and constraints appraised? Are other critical factors identified? Has a sensitivity analysis been conducted? 30 4.1 strategic analysis (using appropriate models/ tools/ theories) of the new business: finding from analysis. Identification of sources of competitive advantage and sustainability 4.2 selection of strategies for success 4.3 development of appropriate business model 4.4 findings from data collected (primary/secondary) 5 Conclusion and recommendations Evaluation of business development plan Is the viability of the business development proposalclearlydiscussed? Is detailedplan of action and implementation outlined? What are the critical success factors? Alternatively, if BDP is not viable in its original form, what conditions would make it (or a variant) viable? 10 Conclusion 5.1 business plan schedule …. From raising capital… stage by stage … setting out key events/resource requirement for successful operation of the business model 5.2 discussion of critical success/failure factors 5.3 recommendations