Students

MMBA8250 – MBA Capstone Project

2021 – Term 1, Fully online/virtual

Notice

As part of Phase 3 of our return to campus plan, most units will now run tutorials, seminars and other small group activities on campus, and most will keep an online version available to those students unable to return or those who choose to continue their studies online.

To check the availability of face-to-face and online activities for your unit, please go to timetable viewer. To check detailed information on unit assessments visit your unit's iLearn space or consult your unit convenor.

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit Convenor
Jaco Lok
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to MBA and (MGSM820 or MMBA8020) and (MGSM835 or MMBA8035) and (MGSM850 or MMBA8050 or MMBA8055) and (MMBA8006 or MMBA8075)
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

This Capstone unit is the final unit of the MBA and is designed to challenge and transform you into a strategic thinker, manager, leader, or entrepreneur. This unit involves live case projects which will require you to develop and pitch strategic solutions that deliver a sustainable competitive advantage for a client organisation. You will receive mentoring from faculty staff as you embark on identifying and designing an innovate and viable strategic solution to the live case problem. The integrated nature of this unit will test your management/leadership skills, your ability to synthesise knowledge and skills from a range of disciplines, as well as specialised knowledge and skills in strategic management, and have a real impact on the client organisation.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • ULO1: Synthesise knowledge and skills from a range of disciplines, as well as specialized knowledge and skills in strategic management, and apply it to a live case problem.
  • ULO2: Apply professional communication and interpersonal skills in effectively presenting and collaborating with others in developing solutions to complex issues.
  • ULO3: Research and critically analyse complex issues and propose well-justified solutions, decisions and recommendations that deliver on a sustainable competitive advantage to an organisation.
  • ULO4: Effectively integrate the body of knowledge and skill sets that underpin professional practice.

General Assessment Information

Late Assessments must also be submitted through Turnitin. No extensions will be granted. There will be a deduction of 10% of the total available marks made from the total awarded mark for  each 24 hour period or part thereof that the submission is late (for example, 25 hours late in submission incurs a 40% penalty). Late submissions will be accepted up to 96 hours after the    due date and time.

This penalty does not apply for cases in which an application for Special Consideration is made and approved. Note: applications for Special Consideration Policy must be made within 5 (five) business days of the due date and time

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Assignment 1: Live case project 1 – Client report 30% No Session 5
Assignment 2A: Live case project 2 – Client presentation 30% No Session 8 or Session 9 Depending on Team Allocation
Assignment 2B: Live case project 2 – Individual report 20% No Session 10
Assessment 3: Participation and team evaluation 20% No Weeks 1 - 10 (Self Reflection Essay Due Session 10)

Assignment 1: Live case project 1 – Client report

Assessment Type 1: Case study/analysis
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: Session 5
Weighting: 30%

 

Students will generate strategic insights for a chosen live case by applying relevant course materials and produce a 2,000-word report.

  • Group component = 15%
  • Individual component = 15%

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Synthesise knowledge and skills from a range of disciplines, as well as specialized knowledge and skills in strategic management, and apply it to a live case problem.
  • Apply professional communication and interpersonal skills in effectively presenting and collaborating with others in developing solutions to complex issues.
  • Research and critically analyse complex issues and propose well-justified solutions, decisions and recommendations that deliver on a sustainable competitive advantage to an organisation.

Assignment 2A: Live case project 2 – Client presentation

Assessment Type 1: Presentation
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: Session 8 or Session 9 Depending on Team Allocation
Weighting: 30%

 

Students will be required to deliver a maximum of 20 minutes group presentation to provide strategic insights and recommendations on an assigned live case.

  • Group component = 15%
  • Individual component = 15%

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Apply professional communication and interpersonal skills in effectively presenting and collaborating with others in developing solutions to complex issues.

Assignment 2B: Live case project 2 – Individual report

Assessment Type 1: Case study/analysis
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: Session 10
Weighting: 20%

 

In this assignment, students will build on the strategic recommendations from the group presentation (Assignment 2A) and provide an implementation strategy through a 2,000-word report.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Synthesise knowledge and skills from a range of disciplines, as well as specialized knowledge and skills in strategic management, and apply it to a live case problem.
  • Apply professional communication and interpersonal skills in effectively presenting and collaborating with others in developing solutions to complex issues.
  • Research and critically analyse complex issues and propose well-justified solutions, decisions and recommendations that deliver on a sustainable competitive advantage to an organisation.

Assessment 3: Participation and team evaluation

Assessment Type 1: Participatory task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: Weeks 1 - 10 (Self Reflection Essay Due Session 10)
Weighting: 20%

 

Students will be assessed on their contributions on the iLearn Discussion Boards, contribution to discussion in class, and a self-reflection essay on team dynamics.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Effectively integrate the body of knowledge and skill sets that underpin professional practice.

1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:

  • the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
  • the Writing Centre for academic skills support.

2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation

Delivery and Resources

Required Text

None. Readings will be available on iLearn.

Unit Web Page

The web page for this unit can be found at: https://ilearn.mq.edu.au/login/

Technology Used and Required

Students are required to have access to a personal computer and familiarise themselves with iLearn (https://ile arn.mq.edu.au/login/).

iLearn will be used to post lecture slides, assessment details, student grades and as a means of communication between staff members and students.

Weekly classes are conducted via Zoom and hence students need to have a copy of Zoom on their computer and also reliable internet access

Delivery Format and Other Details

The timetable for classes can be found on the University web site at: http://www.timetables.mq.edu.au/

Recommended readings

Recommended readings are provided via the links on the iLearn Unit page

Inherent Requirements

None

Unit Schedule

Please see iLearn

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct

Results

Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Learning Skills

Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to help you improve your marks and take control of your study.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

Student Services and Support

Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.

Student Enquiries

For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au

If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.