Briefing on In-industry Internship/Project Work

1. Briefing on In-industry Internship/Project Work Summer 2008-10 Batch

2. Project Evaluation • For PGP - project work is evaluated for 200 marks • Also needed for MSBTE (Internal as well as external evaluation)

3. Project/Internship Objectives • Application of knowledge and techniques learned in the 1st year; to test, validate and challenge class-room learning; • Get a “feel” for the organization and the prevailing real life; improve the understanding of the functional area of the project • To appreciate interlinking of different functions and departments of the organization and the need for coordinated work culture.

4. Project/Internship Objectives – c’td. • We expect students to demonstrate proficiency: • In design of a research project, application of appropriate research methods, collection & analysis of data and presentation of results • Application of skills and knowledge gained on the course by applying them to the analysis of a specific business problem or issue via a substantial piece of independent work.

5. Project/Internship Objectives – c’td. • Project/Internship is also used for Placement Grading, since to prospective employers this is very valuable experience. Consequently, • A brief interview (P.I) will be conducted with the commencement of term 3 and trainee-wise schedule will be notified in due course. • The focus is on familiarity, learning and communicating these to the interviewer. • This P.I. has little to do with the project Report process (Viva-Voce) detailed subsequently. • If an “Executive Summary” is prepared, It may help this interview

6. Selecting the topic/area of work • Should preferably be in the area major specialization; • Before going to the company, jot down 2 or 3 topics of your interest. This will be useful in case the company gives you a choice. • If the company assigns work of the nature of routine/study, you have to explain to them that an original & independent Project Report is required. You can do routine as well as work on a project assigned simultaneously.

7. Project/Internship Administration • Normatively, 8 weeks of project/internship is scheduled; commencing immediately after completion of MSBTE regular examinations. • Students are required to finish the project/internship by 18th July, 2009 and report back for the 3rd term (20th July). Extension of project duration without permission is considered ‘unauthorized absence’ affecting TNG status (term 3) & Placement (‘debarring’). • Extension permission is granted only on receipt of signed intimation from the Company Project Guide.

8. Before/on reporting to the Company • Ascertain your guide in the company (as well as in the institute) and discuss the topic with them. • Confirm your Project title and the scope of work with the company/ external guide. • Do through review of literature by going through all possible secondary sources. • Prepare a flow-chart of the activities for entire duration of project (your “Plan”) which will act as a progress check-list for you. • Get your guides to approve your Plan.

9. After Joining the Company • Maintain a daily record of work done in a separate log book. This should include the points discussed and the information provided to you and will be useful in drafting the report later. • Find the name of the person in the company who will be acting as your external guide (if this is not already done) and discuss and finalize the project topic with him. • Company’s requirements are superior and should be followed. Cont’d…

10. After Joining the Company… Cont’d • Sincere efforts put in by the Trainee may lead to a Pre-Placement Offer (PPO) from the company. Therefore, take your project seriously!! • Data & information for your report must be completed while you are in the company - it is impossible to visit the company again. • Companies may require a report before you leave. You will then have to submit two reports: one for the company and other set to the Institute as per the specific requirements.

11. Academic requirements • Company’s certificate evidencing satisfactory completion is an essential document; • The issue of the certificate is often delayed by the company/external guide due to: • Poor quality of the project work • Preoccupation of your external guide You are responsible to get the certificate!!! • Often restructuring/redrafting the report is necessary to meet the Institute’s requirement. Be in touch with your internal guide; • Even when working as or in a team, no two reports should be identical. If found so, the institute will reject both the reports.

12. Report Submission & Deadline • Last date for submitting draft report to internal guide is 10th Aug. 2009(or earlier as per Internal Guides briefing). Please use ‘spell-check’ facility at draft preparation stage to avoid time-wastage in editorial correction. • The Final Report should be prepared and bound incorporating the corrections/ changes suggested by the Internal Guide • Last date for Final report (Hard bound version) submission is 5th Sept. 2009; failure to meet the deadline would disqualify trainee from Placement.

13. Things To Take Care Of … • To avoid a delay issue of certificate of completion of project from Company, please take care to do and submit a good project report. If required, follow up with the the Company at least 3 – 4 weeks before your project submission date to for issue of completion certificate. • DO USE your internal guide during the Project. Keep in touch, preferably by e-mail. • DO NOT wait till the last date to submit the draft report to your internal project guide. Give him / her a little extra time as they are busy people and you might require to make 2nd or more drafts! • DO NOT wait till the last date to bind your report.

14. Physical Features of the Report: • Report shall be typed on white paper (A4 size bond) and made in 3 copies – one copy for the Institute, one for MSBTE and one for the student. • The typing shall be of standard letter size (Arial - 12 font) black color using only one side of the paper with double spacing. • Margins: left - 35 mm, right - 20 mm, bottom - 20mm, top - 35 mm. • Binding: Report shall be Rexene bound in black. Plastic. Spiral bound project reports are not accepted.

15. Physical Features ….. Cont’d • Front cover: The front cover should contain • TOP: The title in block capitals of 6 to 15 mm letters • CENTER: Full name of the Management Trainee in block capitals of 6 to 10 mm letters • BOTTOM: Name of the Institute, Year of submission – all in block capitals of 6 to 10mm letters on separate lines with proper spacing and centering. • Blank sheets: At the beginning and end of the Report, two white bond papers should be provided, one for the purpose of binding and other to be left blank. The length of the report should be between 8,000 to 10,000 words excluding annexure, tables, graphs etc. The MSBTE copy should be prepared only after the completion of the PGP grading of Project.

16. Preparing the ReportContents The Project Report should have the contents in the following order: • Institute certificate • Company Certificate • Acknowledgements • Table of Contents with page numbers • Abstract or Executive Summary • Nomenclature and Abbreviations.

17. Contents • 7. Topic, Objectives & Scope (with reasons for selecting the topic) • 8. Company/ Organization profile • 9. Research Methodology • 10. Analysis of Data • 11. Observation & Findings • 12. Limitations • 13. Suggestions / Recommendations • 14. Bibliography & References • 15. Annexure Remember: Minimum 8000 words and maximum 10000 words without the “Annexure”

18. 5. Abstract/Executive Summary • As the name suggests, should be completed on one (max two) sheets. • Should include: • Area of work/Project Description (expand title) • Scope/Expected results • Organization of work/project (methodology) • Key results/Findings • Major limitations • Main recommendation or Proposed future activity

19. 5. Abstract / Executive Summary .. C’td • Prepare a summary (headline) of Objectives, Findings, Limitations & Recommendations only. • Though the Executive Summary is prepared in the end, it is included first in order. • Should provide an overview of the project emphasizing the value added by it in meeting set objectives. • Should create an impact and interest for the reader to peruse the full report!

20. 7. Topic, Objectives & Scope • Prefer to keep only one main objective • May have a number of subsidiary objectives. • A Problem well defined is half solved: • SMART Objectives: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant & Time – bound • Scope: To what extent and within what boundaries, e.g. Market. Potential for “Kinley” water (of Coca-Cola) in South Maharashtra

21. Review of literature or Theory Discussion • This does not form a chapter but is an essential prerequisite after Objective & Scope are determined. • Refer at least 3 – 4 different books/websites on the topic. It will make your organizing for work easier! • Go through current journals and magazines related to the subject • Search all related information from the net. • Avoid plagiarism.

22. 8. Company / Organization Profile • General Information related to the Project: Products & Services, • Functional area related: Marketing / HR / Finance scenario, department structure, topic related activities. • Industry Profile can also be briefly included in this part as background information if necessary • Details not directly connected to the Project/Internship work to be appended in the end (details in Section10)

23. 9. Research Methodology • Project Design: include flow chart for clarity • Information needed to Plan work • Sources of data: Primary & Secondary • Designing the Questionnaire: Pains taken in questionnaire designing earlier can save more efforts in data Analysis later and give meaningful inferences • Sampling

24. 9.1 Questionnaire Design: The Art of Asking Questions • What should be asked? Relevance and Accuracy • How should each question be phrased? Open – ended questions and fixed – alternative questions • In what sequence the questions to be arranged? Order bias, Funnel techniques, Filter bias. • What questionnaire layout will best serve the research objectives? Print, Post, Internet etc. • How should the questionnaire be pre-tested? Does the questionnaire need to be revised?

25. 9.2 Sampling • Sample size? • Variance (s), • Magnitude of Error (e), • Confidence Level (z) n =(zs / e)2 • Availability of time & other resources. • Sampling frame • Sampling Procedure : Probability & Non – probability • Sampling Size – procedure relationship

26. 10. Data Analysis • Cross tabulation of the Questionnaire by classification of responses and frequency distribution. • The more effort you put in developing the questionnaire, i.e. aided recall, use a uniform rating scale, the easier it is to do data analysis. • Statistical methods; Central tendencies, Weighted Averages, Regression etc. using software like MS-Excel, SPSS etc. • Appropriate Graphical representation of key questions with comments.

27. Observations are related to those issues which were NOT included & explored through the questionnaire Observations may not require a data support Observations are indirect source of information, often valuable. Keep your Objectives & Tabulation sheet before you when you sit to write your findings. Finding have to be based on the data collected: attempting to address the objectives; they should match & relate to/satisfy the objectives List down the Findings Write positive findings first Key findings can be Graphically represented stating the importance and implications for the company 11. Observation & Findings

28. 12. Limitations • Constraints of resources including time • Availability of data • Reliability of data • Academic scope • Access to information etc.

29. 14. Bibliography & References • For Master’s level course, bibliography needs to be authentically written. • Author, year of Publication, Title Sub-Title, Edition, Name and Place of Publisher, Chapter & Pages. • e.g. Kazmi, A. “Business Policy & Strategic Management” Tata McGraw – Hill, New Delhi, 2nd Edition, 2002. • e.g. Khandwala P.N. , “Two routes to turnaround’ in business world, Apr.12-25 1989. pp 17-19. • Websites

30. 15. Annexure • Any material, the inclusion of which in the main report may hamper the flow e.g. • Filled-up questionnaires copies • Company formats, e.g. Performance Appraisal etc. • Company Leaflets or Handouts etc • Any data incidental to but not directly connected with the project: • Full product range details • Historical profiles • Copy of Legal documents

31. Get Going & Happy experience Reopening of the Institute… • Monday, 20th July 2009is the start of Term 3. Attendance on the 1st day is mandatory. • We also advise submission of first draft by end July