Project Based Research

1. Project Based Research Process, Policies, Rules, etc.

2. Team Calendars • Each team will fill out a calendar indicating the class schedules for the team members (i.e., an integrated class schedule for the team) • Integrated class schedules will aid in determining the weekly meeting times, and in making appointments for project team purposes • Professor will accompany group to on-site meeting at least for the first meeting and maybe subsequent meetings depending on industry entity needs/wants • Teams are expected to meet with Professor when needed or at an alternative time based on class meetings time and team’s progress • Web tools such as Google, etc. can be used to coordinate schedules

3. Team Member Roles • Team members individually & collectively responsible for success • Team succeeds together or the team fails together • Failure means that the students did not take advantage of the project and the industry entity as a learning experience • Most likely means that the sponsor doesn’t get required deliverables • Success is learning and practicing “real-world” Supply Chain Management skills and the project has met the sponsors’ needs • Scope, defining deliverables, setting expectations are very critical

4. Professor Feedback • Professor is responsibility to read all of your reports and give you meaningful feedback • Submit reports to Professor in time for feedback • Industry entity is responsible for providing an independent review of your reports and providing input on final team grade • Report submission dates are tentative for now but derived from a combination of industry entity needs and Spring course calendar (e.g., initial report before Spring Break, Final Report before graduation)

5. Rules of Thumb for Meetings • Members of the student team will lead the meetings with the Professor • Rotate the responsibility of leading the meetings • Rotation allows Professor to evaluate who is participating • Remember, these are your meeting, your agenda, and your responsibility • It is a given to be on time, be professional, and be prepared • Use your time wisely • Take proper steps and have proper organizational tools to handle the large amounts of documents, files and information that will accumulate during your project • Required Project Dossier at each meeting

6. Project Dossier • For final deliverable for class 3 ring binder containing documents • Digital depository such as Google docs can be used • However, for final grading I need all documents organized in a physical 3 ring binder – I will provide the binder • WHY? • I need documentation in hard copy form of the correspondence you had (major emails only), draft reports, diagrams, notes, etc. for grading purposes • It may seem like overkill but it will also make your final report preparation soooooo much easier (e.g., think Engineers carry black and white lab notebook but we are not Engineers….)

7. On-Site Trips to Industry Entity • Several trips to your company throughout the semester will be taken • You are an ambassador of the Department of Marketing & Supply Chain Management, the COB program, & the University – always remember this • Each visit is a new opportunity to make a (first and) lasting impression • Each plant trip requires valuable time and resources for all involved • Get the most out of your trips in terms of information, understanding, documentation, etc. • Sometimes you must listen more than talk • At times you must seek input from people that may not seem like someone you need to speak to (e.g., line workers or stockers or registration desk employee)

8. On-Site Trips to Industry Entity • Attire is business casual • Shoes: comfortable, closed toes, NO HIGH HEELS!! NO TENNIS SHOES!! • Prep by doing research on the sponsor– e.g., Background Report • Prep a set of questions for the first meeting • Prep maps/directions to your location • Leave early and BE ON TIME • Punctuality is an expected in any business environmentespecially for us • On any tour, stay very close to the person giving the tour. • Make sure you can hear and understand

9. On-Site Trips to Industry Entity • Take a lot of photos, video, etc., if permitted,ask for permission • Think of your needs for your presentations and reports • Investigate how your project affects the profitability/objective of the entity • Think about questions/contacts for cost accounting to support your economic analysis • Establish how you will communicate with the entity and vise versa • Make sure your emails, phone calls, etc. are acknowledged and that you do the same– hence the communications lead for your group

10. On-Site Trips to Industry Entity • Determine a time slot for aconference call with your entity for a status report • Conference should be scheduled whenever needed but most likely once a week • Write everything down - take the project seriously • Do not rely on your “excellent” memory • Be courteous/respectful to everyone you meet, from CEO to line workers • After meeting/call, compile a listing of all pertinent information recorded, DO IT IMMEDIATELY – hence the secretary’s job