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Attention of Students
MBA Final Semester Project Guidelines
Preamble
As you know, you the students of MBA of SET II are now in the final semester and will
be doing your project work this semester. This is one of the important components
of MBA/MCA Programme and in this context we have brought out some
guidelines regarding project work to ensure that the project by the student is
authentic and is of high quality. One of the important stipulation regarding project for
MBA is that the candidate is to undertake a project in the chosen specialization. The
projects will be reviewed, monitored and tracked by the Central Steering Committee
(at the Centre for Distance Education, Anna University, Chennai), Project Monitoring
Committee ( at Study Centre) and the Project Guide.

1.1 Central Steering Committee

In order to directly monitor and track projects we have a Central Steering Committee
at the Centre for Distance Education, Anna University Chennai. The functions of
this committee include:
™ Going through the project proposal and checking the qualifications of the
proposed project guide.
™ It is responsible for approving the project and conveying the same to the student
through the web.
™ During the approval process the Committee will give suggestions for
improvement.
™ Going through the evaluation reports sent by the Study Centre after each review
meeting and give suggestions if necessary.
™ Approving the final list of students allowed to submit Projects at the end of the
semester.

1.2 Project Monitoring Committee

In addition, there will be a Project Monitoring Committee at the Study Centre headed
by a project in-charge and consisting of two other senior faculty members. The functions
of the committee include:
™ Providing appropriate counseling, advice and suggestions to all students
undertaking project work regarding project area and choice of guide and in
general help the project-in-charge in project related activities
™ Ensuring that the project proposal and the Guide are approved by the Central
steering committee of Centre for Distance Education, Anna University Chennai
and no project is undertaken without prior approval.
™ Conducting atleast two reviews and evaluating the progress of the projects
™ Ensuring that the student has incorporated all suggested improvements and
suggestions
™ Checking the content and format of thesis report is as per norms

1.3 Project Guide

In addition, in order to ensure quality, the qualification and experience of the guides
have been made stringent. The project should be carried out under the direct
supervision of a qualified guide as per the qualification prescribed below :
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1.3.1 Qualifications of Guide
1. As regards to MBA programme, the Guide must have Master Degree in Business
Administration or any post graduation with specialization in the area relevant to
the specialization opted by the candidate and
2. The guide should have five years of teaching experience at MBA level or post
graduation with specialization in the area relevant to the specialization opted by
the candidate or five years of industrial experience at least as middle level
executive in case of MBA.

2. Guidelines for undertaking Project

™ One of the important stipulations regarding project for MBA is that the
candidate is to undertake a project in the chosen specialization ( Sample
Projects in Each Area of Specialization given in Annexure A). The main
focus of the Project should be on the chosen area of Specialization such as
General Management/ Technology Management / Retail Management / Human
Resource Management/Health Services Management/Financial Services
Management for MBA. The project work may be carried out by identifying
research/ application problem in any one of the business/ manufacturing/ service
organizations or in the respective department of the study centre that suits the
chosen area of the specialization.
™ Candidates have to prepare the following
o The profile of the Guide (the qualification of the Guide has been given in
Section 1.3.1) in the format given in Annexure I duly signed by the guide
(need not be submitted if the guide is already in the panel of project
guides already approved by Centre for Distance Education, Anna
University Chennai (will be available on the Web).
o A brief synopsis of the proposed project in the prescribed format given in
Annexure II
Note: Annexures available on the web or can be obtained from study
centre
™ These Annexures are to be sent for approval. They are to be submitted in
triplicate to project-in-charge at the Study Centre in the prescribed formats
(Annexures I & II - available in the web or obtained from study centre) and an
extra advance copy sent directly to the Convener, MBA, Central Steering
Committee, Centre for Distance Education, Anna University Chennai (in an
envelope marked Project – proposal ).
™ The students are permitted to proceed with topic of the projects
only under qualified and supervisor after approval by the Central
Steering Committee Centre for Distance Education, Anna
University Chennai.
™ The student is expected to execute original work. If at any point of time it is
noticed that the work is not original, the project will be summarily rejected.

2.1 Major Types of Project

The project undertaken may be of various types:
™ Exploratory type
o The student to explore the possible causes for a phenomena or status
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™ Descriptive – to support or disprove existing facts with quantative data
™ Survey type
o includes designing questionnaire for collection of data through field
study,collecting data from target respondents, processing and
analyzing the data and arriving at conclusions
™ Experimental study
o Conduct of experiments to find the cause and effect relations between
experimental variables and dependent variables
• ex. Impact of training programme on performance, impact of
advertisements on sales
™ Desk research based on secondary data
o Making use of published data and analyzing the data and riving
interpreting such data and arriving at meaningful conclusions.

2.1 Role of Project Guide

™ The Student is required to meet the guide periodically on mutually agreed
upon dates.
™ The Student is also advised to maintain e-mail contact with the guide
™ Any Conflict of interest during the course of the project can be immediately
brought directly to the notice of the Central Steering Committee, Centre for
Distance Education, Anna University Chennai.

3. Steps to be followed in undertaking Project

3.1 Problem identification

™ By referring to relevant literature or discussing with industry experts – a
problem may be formulated in the chosen area of Specialization and the
same can be fine tuned by drawing input from the Project Guide.
™ Subsequently a project guide is to be identified by the student. The project
guide should have qualifications as prescribed by the Centre for Distance
Education, AU,Chennai (given in Section 1.3.1).
™ The Topic and the guide proposed, are to be submitted in triplicate to project-
in-charge at the Study Centre in the prescribed formats (Annexures I & II -
available in the web or obtained from study centre) and an extra advance
copy sent directly to the Convener, MBA, Central Steering Committee,
Centre for Distance Education, Anna University Chennai (in an
envelope marked Project – proposal ).
™ You are requested to look into the website for confirmationof project
proposal.
™ Do not proceed with the project topic or with project guide until approval has
been obtained from the Central Steering Committee, Centre for Distance
Education, Anna University Chennai

3.2 Progress for First Review

™ You may now proceed to undertake the project in consultation with the project
guide.
™ Any suggestions made by the Central Steering Committee in the project
proposal should be incorporated while preparing for First Review (tentative
schedule given in Annexure III).
™ For the First Review, the student is required to present the following details :
™ Problem identified and confirmed
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™ Guide confirmed (will be present for review)
™ Background Study
™ Need for the project
™ Objectives and scope of the project
™ Review of Literature
™ Proposed Methodology
o Type of Project
o Target respondents
o Assumptions, Constraints and Limitations
o Proposed Sampling Methods
™ Proposed Analysis (Statistical Tools) and Interpretation methodologies
™ Deliverables – Expected Conclusions
™ A report incorporating all the above details should be submitted at the
time of First Review.
™ The evaluation by the project guide and the Project Monitoring Committee is
based on the above points. The evaluation form for First Review by the
Project Guide and Project Monitoring Committee is given in Annexure IV

3.3 Progress for Second Review

™ Any Suggestions/extensions suggested by the Project Monitoring
Committee at the First Review should be incorporated and project
modified accordingly before the Second Review.
™ For the Second Review, the student is required to present the following
details :
o Work completed so far
ƒ Questionnaire designed or interview schedule (if applicable)
ƒ Report of Pilot Study
ƒ Summary of Literature review
ƒ Data captured so far with all details including scope, sample
size, assumptions, constraints, limitations etc.
o Further work to be one
o Deviation if any and justification
o Attendance details regarding meeting (in person or by e-mail with
guide) – attested by the guide
o Confirmation of tools for Analysis
™ A report incorporating all the above details should be submitted at the time
of Second Review.
™ A draft copy of Thesis signed by guide
™ The evaluation by the project guide and the Project Monitoring Committee
is based on the above points. The evaluation form for Second Review by
the Project Guide and Project Monitoring Committee is given in
Annexure V.

3.4 Preparation of Project Report

™ Each student is expected to submit four copies of Project Report
™ Please refer to --------------------- for report details. The following should be
the contents of the report:
o Title Sheet
o Bonafide Certificate duly signed by the Project Guide and Project-
in-charge
o Acknowledgement
o Abstract
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o Table of Contents
o List of Tables
o List of Figures
o List of Abbreviations
o Chapter 1 - Introduction
ƒ Research Background – Description of specific industry/
general scenario of industry
ƒ Identified Problem
ƒ Need for Study
ƒ Objectives & Scope
ƒ Deliverables
o Chapter 2 – Literature Survey
ƒ Review of Literature
ƒ Research Gap
o Chapter 3 - Methodology
ƒ Type of Project
ƒ Target respondents
ƒ Assumptions, Constraints and Limitations
ƒ Proposed Sampling Methods
ƒ Data Processing
ƒ Tools for Analysis
o Chapter 4 – Data Analysis and Interpretation
ƒ Data Analysis
ƒ Discussion
ƒ Diagrammatic Representation
ƒ Deliverables
o Chapter 5 – Conclusions
ƒ Summary of Findings
ƒ Suggestions & Recommendations
ƒ Conclusions
ƒ Directions for Future Research
o Appendix
ƒ Copy of Questionnaire/Interview Schedule
ƒ Bibliography
ƒ Any Other relevant matter

4. Sample Project ( for Details & Reference only)

4.1 Specialization: General Management

4.2 Topic: A study of Shopper’s attitude towards Ready to eat

Food items

4.3 Literature Study

™ Literature related to this area
o Shopper behavior in general
o Special emphasis on shopper behavior towards consumer
items
o Study of profile of shoppers
o Sampling, Analysis and Interpretation methods used to study
behavior patterns
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o Etc..
™ Intensive Industry Analysis – Study of
o Ready to eat food mixes – typical products available
o Major players in the market
o Ongoing trend
™ Interact with related industry and subject experts
™ Fine tune the need, scope and likely deliverables of study

4.4 Objectives ( only a sample)

™ To study the key drivers influencing the attitude of the shoppers
™ To establish relationship between demographic variables ( age,
income, education, family status, family size etc.) and attitude
towards Ready to eat food mixes.
™ To determine relationship between cyclographic variables (image
conscious, prize conscious, time conscious, etc..) and attitude
towards Ready to eat food mixes.
™ Etc…

4.5 Formulation of Hypothesis

™ Assumptions regarding relationships among variables (ex. Income
level & attitude)
™ Scope
o Target Audience
o Study confined to Chennai
o Only Breakfast items/Curries etc..
o Sample Size approximately – 300
o Other assumptions, limitations, constraints..

4.6 ( to specify the following details)

™ Type of Project Study - Indicate the type of project study undertaken
o Explorative
o Descriptive
™ Survey type
™ Experimental
™ Desk research .

™ Method of data collection (any one)

• Interview schedule ( preparation of list of questions)
• Questionnaire
• Pilot study with small sample – fine tune Interview schedule/
Questionnaire design

™ Sampling Methods (any one)

o Probability sampling methods (like Random)
o Non Probability sampling methods (like Convenient, Purposive)

™ Data Processing
o Collection of data, data coding, formatting and storing using
appropriate

™ Tools for Analysis – data to be analyzed using appropriate tools.

Normally used tools :
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o Percentage analysis
o Chi-square analysis
o Ranking
o Correlatoion – Regression
o Factor Analysis
o Cluster
o Etc..
4.7 Data Analysis, Interpretation
™ Processed data will analysed and interpreted using appropriate tools
decided above
4.8 Conclusions:
™ Summary of Finding, Suggestions, Conclusions for Future Research
o Conclusions
ƒ Found that people with higher incomes and working in IT
field had positive attitude towards Ready to eat food mixes
ƒ Etc…
o Summary Report of Findings
o Suggestions
ƒ How to advertise for generating positive attitude towards
Ready to eat food mixes
ƒ How to price the product for for generating positive attitude
towards Ready to eat food mixes
ƒ Etc..
o Future Directions
ƒ To take sample from all over Tamilnadu
ƒ To study rural versus urban divide or buying in
Supermarkets versus local grocer in attitude towards
Ready to eat food mixes
ƒ To study different products using same assumptions
ƒ Etc..
4.9 Bibliography:
™ List the references inside the text in order of occurrence in the
following format
David Andersen, Hari Balakrishnan, Frans Kaashoek, and
Robert Morris, “Resilient Overlay Networks”, Proc. of
ACM Symp. on Operating Systems Principles, pp.15-18, Oct. 2001

(Author names, “ title of reference”, Proceedings/Journal name, page

number, Year)
™ References can also include web sites

4.10 Appendix - Questionnaire, any other relevant details

All Correspondence regarding projects should be addressed as given

below:
™ The Convener, MBA, Central Steering Committee, Centre for
Distance Education, Anna University Chennai (in an envelope
marked Project – proposal ).
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™ E-mail : please mark subject as MBA (AY 2007 - 2008 Project –
Proposal, ….)
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Annexure A

General Management
1. Study of effect of TV advertisement targeted at children
2. Impact of privatization
3. Study of the effect of IPL on cricket viewing public
4. Study of Resource management in Organizations
5. Study of BPO practices

Human Resources Management

1. Experimental study of impact of providing training and opportunities for higher
studies on retaining manpower
2. Study of opportunities provided for offshore jobs on family life
3. Study of impact of young workers on work environment
4. Study of career growth of non-IT graduates in IT organizations
5. Performance appraisal in Organizations

Retail Management
1. Study of effect of chain of supermarkets on pattern of shopping
2. Study of relation between customer profile and foreign food chains
3. Merchandise management in retail outlets
4. Retail Shoppers attitude study
5. Impact of retail sales promotion
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Financial Services Management

1. Study of relationship between customer profile and insurance practices
2. Study of Impact factors effecting stock prices of specific sectors
3. Financial Performance Analysis
4. Perception on investments
5. Study on Retail Banking

Health Services Management

1. Patient Profile Vs Type of Diseases ( a Diagnostic Analysis)
2. Study on preventive health care practices among a target group (IT
Professionals, etc.)
3. Study of Operating capital management in Hospitals
4. Patient Information and Tracking System
5 Designing a model for rural heathcare

Technology Management
1. Design of an information system for Project tracking
2. Study of impact of introducing new technologies on grass root workers
3. Study of Financial Implications of Technology Adoption
4. Study of Technology Diffusion
5. Study of Technology Outsourcing
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ANNEXURE I

FORMAT FOR PROFILE OF GUIDE

1. Name :

2. Qualification :

3. Designation :

4. Address of Institution Employed :

(including contact phone numbers,
Office, mobile, residence)

5. Experience (in years) : Teaching ………..yrs

: Industry………….yrs
Designation / Total years of
S. No. From To
Position held service
1.
2
3
4.
5.

6. Area of specialization : 1.
2.
3.
4.

7. Subject taught during past five years or : 1.

Industrial Experience relevant to the 2.
chosen area of project 3.
4.
Area of industrial experience
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8..Number of students already guided
(Please attach list of students college address,
University, Project title, year of award of degree) :

Whether
S. Programme Month and
Roll Name of the College and degree is
No Name of the student MBA/MCA/MSc Year of Title of Project
Number Address awarded
Ph.D / M.Phil submission
Yes / No

9. Additional number of students willing to guide :

(maximum 10 students including
already registered as given in 8)
Signature of Guide
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Director’s copy
Study center’s copy
Project coordinators copy
ANNEXURE II

FORMAT FOR PROJECT PROPOSAL

To be submitted in triplicate
(Student to submit one copy to Study centre Coordinator and To send one copy to the
Director, CDE and
one copy to the Project co ordinator through the Study Centre Coordinator)

1. Name of the course ` : MBA / MCA /MSc

2. Name of the Student :

3. Roll Number :

4. Examination Registration Number :

5. Name and address of study centre :

6. Area of specialization :
(add a separate sheet)

7. Problem Identified for the study :

(about 15 lines)
(add a separate sheet)

8. Proposed Methodology :
1 Type data :
2 Tools for Data Collections :
3 Frame work of data analysis :
4 Expected Deliverables :
5 Any other :
(add a separate sheet)
9. Time Schedule :
(add a separate sheet)
Date
SIGNATURE OF STUDENT
Address for Communication
(With contact Phone Numbers: Office, mobile, Residence)
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Annexure III
SCHEDULE OF PROJECT RELATED ACTIVITIES
SET 2 (Academic Year 2007-08 Batch – IV Semester MBA)
and
SET 2 (Academic Year 2007-08 Batch – IV Semester MSc)
S.
Time Frame Activities
No.
1 April 1, 2009 Release of Project Guidelines on Web – (by CDE)
April 1 – April 25, Identification of topic and Guide and Counseling at Study
2
2009 Centre to work out details - (by Student)
1) Last date for Submission of Project Guide details
(Annexure I) – (by Student)
3 April 25, 2009
2) Last date for Submission of Project Proposal (Annexure II)
– (by Student)
April 26 – May 5, Confirmation of Approval along with suggestion on Web
4
2009 – (by CDE)
5 May 6, 2009 Release of List of Approved Projects on Web – (by CDE)
6 May 25 – 31, 2009 First Review at Study Center
Last date for submission of Hard copy of First Review marks
7 June 1, 2009 to Centre for Distance Education, Anna University Chennai
(Annexure IV) – (by Study Centre)
Last day of contact Last day for finalization of Attendance for the Theory courses
8 class of fourth and Project work and sending to the Centre for Distance
semester Education – (by Study Centre)
9 July 10 – 16, 2009 Second Review at Study Centre
1) Last date for submission of Hard copy of Second Review
marks to Centre for Distance Education, Anna University
Chennai (Annexure V) – (by Study Centre)
10 July 17, 2009
2) Last date for submission of Viva Voce Panel to Controller
of Examinations, Anna University Chennai
– (by Study Centre)
Last date for dispatch of Internal Marks to Controller of
11 July 17, 2009
Examinations, Anna University Chennai – (by Study Centre)
Last date for submission of Thesis (Four Copies) to Study
12 July 31, 2009
Centres – (by Student)
September 1 – 10,
13 Final Viva Voce Examination
2009
Last date for sending of Viva Voce Marks to Controller of
14 September 14, 2009
Examinations, Anna University Chennai

Dates specified will be strictly adhere to.

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Annexure IV (10 students per Page)

S.No Roll.no Exam Specialization Topic of Background Review of Proposed Frequency of Presentation Remarks
Reg No. Project Study, Literature Methodology meeting with (10) Total
Need, objectives (20) defined guide and (100)
and scope – (20) Guide marks
suggestions of (30)
CSC incorporated
(20)
1.
2.
.
.
10.

Annexure V (10 students per Page)

S.No Roll.no Exam Specialization Topic of Work Completed Depth of Data Frequency of Presentation Remarks
Reg No. Project so far and study, Interpretation, meeting with (10) Total
incorporation of analysis suggestion guide, draft (100)
first review (20) report copy
comments if any conclusions submission,
(20) (20) guide marks
(30)
1.
2.
.
.
10.
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QUICK LOOK THROUGH

PLEASE NOTE THAT IV SEMESTER PROJECT

PROPOSAL MUST BE SUBMITTED THROUGH THE
WEB

Steps in Project Proposal Submission/Review Thesis submission

1. Project Proposal submission

a. Filling up the form
b. Title
i. Select a title that fits into your area of specialization
ii. Avoid general title – be specific
c. Description
i. Indicate specific objectives, focus on specific organization or target
respondents.
ii. Specific study parameters
d. Proposed Methodology
i. Indicate source of data
ii. Indicate source of data
iii. Data Capturing mechanism
iv. Proposed tools for analysis
e. Expected Deliverables
i. Be clean about the deliverables
ii. Deliverable should be in tune with the objectives
2. Submission :
i. Necessarily submit a copy through web
ii. Submit a hard copy to Study centre
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iii. Submit a hard copy to guide

b. Guide :
i. Guide should have requisite qualification (check in guide list)
ii. Guide should be expert in your area of specialization
iii. Guide should be in the approved list or should have applied for
approval (through web)
iv. As far as possible please discuss with guide before project proposal
submission.
3. Check for status of project proposals
a. Project proposal will be approved only after semester fees has been paid
b. On receiving project proposal the Central Steering committee will convey the
status and also indicate the guide allotted status will be known through web.
The Status can be as indicated below
STATUS OF THE PROJECT
1. Guide & Project Approved
2. Guide Approved, Project needs modification
Project idea approved,
Scope to be redefined
i. Focus on specific organization or Target respondents (be specific)
ii. Specify the study parameters in detail
iii. Be clear about the deliverables
iv. To resubmit with details
3. Guide not approved, New guide allotted, Project needs modification
Project idea approved
Scope to be redefined
i. Focus on specific organization or Target respondents (be specific)
ii. Specify the study parameters in detail
iii. Be clear about the deliverables
iv. To resubmit with details
4. Guide approved, Project not approved
i. Change suggested, lack of Management perspective
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ii. Management Perspective to be included

iii. To resubmit with details
5. Guide approved, Project not approved, not in the chosen area of
specialization
i. Project to be redefined to fit into the chosen area of specialization
ii. To resubmit with details
6. Guide not approved, New Guide allotted, Project not approved No
Management Perspective
i. Change suggested
ii. Management Perspective to be included
iii. To resubmit with details
7. Guide not approved, New guide allotted, Project not approved not in the
chosen area of specialization
i. Project to be redefined to fit into the chosen area of specialization
ii. To resubmit with details
8. Guide approved, Project not approved, Details missing
i. Details missing give all details
ii. To resubmit with details
9. Guide not approved, Project not approved, Details missing
i. Details missing give all details
ii. To resubmit with details
4. Meeting with guide
5. Resubmission if necessary
a. Check for first review data with study centre
6. Preparation for first Review
a. First Review – Evaluation Components - Total (100)
i. Background Study, Need, objectives and scope – suggestions of CSC
incorporated (20)
ii. Review of Literature (20)
iii. Proposed Methodology defined (20)
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iv. Frequency of meeting with guide and Guide marks (30) – ensure you
get marks from guides in time
v. Presentation (10)
b. First Review report to be approved by guide and hard copy to be submitted to
review committee
7. Preparation for Second Review
a. Second Review – Evaluation Components - Total (100)
i. Work Completed so far and incorporation of first review comments if
any (20)
ii. Depth of study, analysis(20)
iii. Data Interpretation, suggestions conclusions (20)
iv. Frequency of meeting with guide, draft report copy submission, guide
marks(30)
v. Presentation(10)
b. Second Review report to be approved by guide and hard copy to submitted to
review committee
8. Preparation of Draft Project Report
9. Carry out suggestions given by guide and the review committee (check for guidelines
for preparation of Project report in www.annauniv.edu/cde for modification in draft
report
10. Preparation of Final Report and get it approved by guide. Prepare 5 (Five) copies of
the Project report and submit 4 (Four) copies at the study centre and get
acknowledgement for the submission.
11. Prepare well for the viva voce Exam in consultation with the Guide.

Best of Luck!!!