Course Description
The CEMS Business Project provides students with practical experiences in applying their management knowledge and skills in business analysis and team-working to researching a significant business challenge or opportunity in a host organisation and preparing and presenting an evidence-based business report of a high professional standard. Most students are already familiar with various business disciplines through course work; however, the interdisciplinary use of this knowledge and the capacity to translate it into practical solutions is often a new challenge. The project permits students to combine theory and practice - by learning how to analyse problems, develop recommendations and propose solutions to the problem. In addition to providing hands-on experience on how to deal with a business problem, the unit also offers a unique opportunity to hone research skills in a cross-functional team context. Students work in small groups of four (4) or five (5) and partner with a real organisation over a ten (10) week period to research and recommend solutions to a real business problem identified in consultation with the partner organisations. Projects range from social entrepreneurship programs, where students work with community groups and NGOs, through to consultancy projects for large multinational corporations. Projects are overseen by a specifically appointed consulting mentor and students have access to business mentors throughout the project. Following preparatory learning in advanced applied research methods, students design and undertake investigative research on an agreed business issue, deliver a presentation and provide a written report to the client organisation, as well as to create and disseminate a Thought Leadership Piece on a topic linked to their challenge.
Classes This is a workplace-based unit of study. There are no formal classes.
Assessment scoping document (0%), business project report (group) (45%), business project presentation (group) (25%), thought leadership and individual reflection (individual) (30%)
Additional information Note: This unit is only available to students enrolled in the Master of Management (CEMS) or incoming CEMS MIM exchange students.
USYD Corporate Partners
Strategic links with the corporate world play a crucial role in all our teaching, research and engagement activities, and we are actively connected to our industry partners.
A wide variety of host organisations have partnered with the Business School and engaged in our projects to date, including:
Commonwealth Bank of Australia
Deloitte
KPMG
PwC
EY
HILTI
Nab
Virgin Mobile
Westpac
CISCO
Oroton
Landor
THE ICONIC
Rocket
Reckon
Vision Critical
Fresenius Medical Care
Our multi-national corporate partners include Electrolux, Thomson Reuters, SAP, Symantec and L'Oreal. Our other national corporate partners are Bluestar, DC Strategy and Futurestep.
We have also partnered with not for profit organisations such as Future Direction Network, The Smith Family and Fitted for Work.
Business Project Example:
BUSINESS PROJECTS The University of Sydney Business School
Academic term: Term 2 2018/19
Company: ABB
Title: Inventory Management Optimisation Brief Description:
Improving Inventory Turn Over (ITO) from current average 3.5 to 6.
Reducing Obsolesce provisions from current 4% to 1% of Revenue.
Kick off date: 25 February 2019
Starting date: 4 March 2019
Ending date: 5 June 2019
Project language(s): English
Academic Advisor(s): Patrick Flanagan