strategic management capstone project example

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149 Capstone Project Ideas & Examples – 2024

June 6, 2024

The word “capstone” originally referred to the decorative, final piece of masonry that would be affixed to the top of a new building. But in terms of schooling, what is a capstone project? Academically, “capstone” is a fitting metaphor, as a capstone project serves as a culminating, crowning illustration of your scholarly work. The capstone project synthesizes the learning you have done in various fields, demonstrates your level of expertise in your specific area of study, and often marks the end or milestone moment of a current study path. In short, it’s a big achievement! In this article, we’ve outlined a few tips for cultivating your perfect capstone thesis and have included a list of capstone project ideas to get you started.

General Capstone Writing Tips

As you select a topic for your capstone project, be sure to consider the following criteria:

Personal Interest . A capstone project is meant to be the culmination of or milestone representing your specific path of study; as such, it should be a project that actually interests you! Perhaps you’ve already been working on a passion project or long-term scholarly paper on a topic that excites you. Or maybe you’ve heard about a specific branch of inquiry within your field that you find compelling and want to explore further. Whether you’re new to a specific capstone subject or have been working on it for a while, it’s important to know that your actual interest in a subject can increase your productivity and learning. [i]

Existing Research . For any new piece of scholarship, it’s crucial to thoroughly understand and acknowledge the current knowledge and findings that exist around your thesis. As an advancing practitioner in your field of study or profession, you should already have a sense of what other scholars and experts have said about your capstone project idea, but this is a moment to fully explore: Who are the major players in this professional or scholarly conversation? What are the most important pieces of research that ground this field of study? What recent innovations have been made in this topic?

Stakes . If you’ve ever been involved in a debate or had to write a persuasive speech , you know that an important question to answer is: “So what?” Why is this capstone project idea important? What will be affected if the ideas in your capstone do or do not come to pass? What exactly is at stake here?

Examples Continued

Stakeholders . The stakeholders of a capstone are those who will be affected by the information in your project. Perhaps you’ve already engaged in community service and have seen a gap that can be filled by your particular area of expertise. Maybe you are one of the stakeholders in your research. In every capstone project, your readers should know who will be most important to your work.

Identify a gap or problem . If you’ve done your research properly, then you now know what current holes or gaps exist in your field. Make sure you frame your capstone so that your audience is aware of the work that needs to be done.

Fill the gap . This is your moment to shine! What is your specific hypothesis? What kind of research will you conduct to prove it? Specifically, how is your work contributing to this field of study? To this profession?

Feasibility and Scope . The last question you need to ask yourself is: Can I actually do this project? Do you have the time and resources to complete the work you’re proposing? Is your capstone actually doable? If you find that your project seems too big, don’t despair! Many capstone project ideas can be narrowed down for specificity and feasibility. Take a look at the example below:

Very broad:

“What are some recent developments in women’s health research?”

More specific and feasible:

“What are the most current findings on early diagnostic testing and maternal health outcomes amongst American women?”

Capstone Project Examples

Below, we’ve listed 150 capstone project examples in various fields. Think of all of these focus questions and ideas as jumping-off points. Some are very broad, while others are much more specific. Your capstone project will most likely fall under the “specific” category (see “feasibility and scope” above), but broader topics and focus questions can get you started down the path of your own particular branch of research.

Computer Science Capstone Project Ideas

1) In what ways does social media influence current developments in information systems and marketing?

2) What recent developments have we seen in natural language processing? What innovations do we hope to see?

3) How is cybersecurity an essential consideration in political and public policy?

4) What is the potential for virtual reality within the fields of mental healthcare and / or physical rehabilitation?

5) How can cybersecurity better function in the healthcare industry?

6) What are current and developing applications for machine learning algorithms?

7) How can we develop more secure data encryption?

8) What are the current needs for development in image processing and design?

9) How does artificial intelligence promise to elevate, innovate, revolutionize, or render obsolete various fields and / or methodologies inside and outside of computer science?

10) What current developments exist in the field of neural networks?

11) In what ways can we develop more efficient data encryption algorithms?

12) What specific roles does computer science play in national defense?

13) Exploring automated testing systems.

14) In what ways have smartphone interfaces changed human behavior? Can we predict future changes?

15) What recent innovations have we seen in cloud computing and what changes can we expect to see in this field?

16) How can we improve specific algorithms that conduct market-based analysis?

17) What are the current most important ethical questions surrounding big data and information systems?

18) What are the current expectations around the development and use of cryptocurrency?

19) What specific relationships exist between national policy and internet censorship?

20) Recent innovations and gaps in _________. (Have you already done some research on a very particular topic? This is your moment to delve more deeply into a branch of computer science that specifically interests you !)

Nursing and Medical Capstone Project Ideas

21) What roles might nurses have in administering pain management and anesthesia?

22) In what ways can we address the country’s nursing shortage?

23) In what ways is the field of nursing expected to change in the near future?

24) What innovations can be made in continuing education for nurses?

25) In what ways can nurse practitioners and PAs function more effectively in primary care and specialty settings?

26) Going forward, what roles can nurses play in mobile health and telemedicine?

27) How can clinical settings improve their mental and emotional health outreach for employees?

28) In what ways do nurses and PAs function in specific research roles (e.g. cancer research)?

29) Development of cultural sensitivity training and eliminating health equity disparities in the nursing field.

30) Recent developments in women’s health initiatives and research.

31) In what ways can communication efficacy be addressed in clinical settings?

32) What is the relationship between medical care and specific public policies?

33) Nursing, management, and leadership roles.

34) In what ways can technology improve nursing and healthcare initiatives?

35) Recent innovations and gaps in _________. (Have you already done some research on a very particular topic? This is your moment to delve more deeply into a branch of medicine or scientific inquiry that specifically interests you !)

Humanities and Arts Capstone Project Ideas

36) How does art function in the political and public spheres?

37) What specific developments have we seen in the field of graphic design in the past decade?

38) Analyzing the relationships between marketing, commercial viability and contemporary literature.

39) In what ways do the humanities function in ecocriticism and the Anthropocene?

40) Social media and communication.

41) What are some recent examples of the relationship between popular culture and political propaganda?

42) Current distinctions between pop culture, avant-garde, and highbrow literature and art.

43) What is the role of philosophy in current public debate?

44) In what ways do / have the humanities function(ed) within and / or outside of the public sphere?

45) What is the role of the digital humanities in ancient / early modern / modern history?

46) What recent developments have we seen in the fields of women’s and gender studies?

47) How has a globalized media culture impacted our views on cultural exchange / postcolonialism / hegemonic power structures?

48) In what ways have sustainability initiatives become an essential part of art, theatre, fashion, film, and literary production?

49) Race, class, gender and / or sexuality, and recent developments in the construction of personal identity.

50) How does appropriation function in the realm of cultural production?

51) What is the current role of cinema in public and political culture?

52) Creativity and new genres in the wake of social media, artificial intelligence and monoculture.

53) How can / do museums and public spaces function as sites of cultural production?

54) In what ways has artificial intelligence begun to shape the arts and humanities?

55) Recent innovations and gaps in ____________. (Have you already done some research on a particular topic? This is your moment to delve more deeply into a branch of humanities research that specifically interests you!)

Engineering Capstone Project Ideas

56) What is the role of engineering in specific manufacturing practices?

57) In what ways are environmental and sustainable efforts transforming various industries (transportation, manufacturing, public use, energy, etc.)?

58) How does artificial intelligence promise to function in various engineering fields?

59) What are the functions of drones in supply chains?

60) How does engineering specifically function in the production and management of public health (water purification and distribution, waste management, etc.)?

61) What recent innovations have we seen in the fields of engineering and defense?

62) Assessing the feasibility of solar power, wind power, etc.

63) In what ways can engineering facilitate specific infrastructure innovations in public spaces?

64) What does the privatization of the aerospace industry demonstrate about the relationship between public and commercial scientific research?

65) In what ways does current engineering promise to disrupt fields like the automotive, manufacturing, aerospace, etc. industries?

66) Examining various uses of 3D printing.

67) What are some recent innovations in electric, geothermal and/ or nuclear energy?

68) What is the current relationship between extraction engineering and the public sphere?

69) How does the field of robotics function in medicine and public health?

70) Recent innovations and gaps in _________. (Have you already done some research on a very particular topic? This is your moment to delve more deeply into a branch of engineering or scientific inquiry that specifically interests you !)

Education Capstone Project Ideas

71) How do charter schools currently function in the education system?

72) What current pathways exist for continuing education in the teaching field?

73) What roles does artificial intelligence play in the future of education?

74) Disciplinary practices and education for early childhood, middle school, high school, etc.

75) Addressing income and resource disparities between public school districts.

76) In what ways does gender currently function in STEM education?

77) In what ways can mental health initiatives more thoroughly benefit students, staff, and educators?

78) In what ways is parental involvement a factor in current curriculum models?

79) What are the advantages and disadvantages of various modes of virtual learning, technology in the classroom, asynchronous learning, e-learning, etc.?

80) How can we address the current teacher shortage?

81) What are the current relationships between politics, public policy, school funding and curriculum development?

82) What recent innovations have we seen in outdoor learning, Montessori schooling, forest schools, eco-education, etc.?

82) How can schools facilitate better curricula and funding for special needs programs?

83) What is the current role of the arts in public education? In private education?

84) What is the relationship between public policy and homeschooling?

85) In what ways do race and class currently function in specific conversations around education?

86) What are current concerns and developments in the practices of school safety?

87) What developments are currently underway in curricula involving interdisciplinary and project-based learning?

88) What benefits and drawbacks currently exist in extracurricular programs and initiatives for students of various age groups?

89) Recent innovations and gaps in _________. (Have you already done some research on a very particular topic? This is your moment to delve more deeply into a branch of education or curriculum planning that specifically interests you !)

Biology Capstone Project Ideas

90) What are some recent developments in the ethics of stem cell research and cloning?

91) How has public disease testing changed since the pandemic?

92) What is the role of the biologist in mining, extraction, and geoengineering?

93) What recent innovations have been made in pesticide production, distribution, and wider use?

94) How can biology serve manufacturing industries to prevent contamination and supply chain stalling?

95) How do specific ecosystems currently function in regard to climate change? What changes are predicted to these ecosystems in the next decade and why?

96) In what ways are biologists’ roles evolving in the development of biomechanical medical devices?

97) What roles do biologists play in understandings of human reproduction and DNA?

98) How are pharmaceutical and recreational drugs currently understood and classified?

99) What recent biological innovations have been made in the production of food? What developments do we foresee in this branch of biology?

100) In what ways are biological systems affected by various forms of energy extraction and consumption (electrical power, gas, wind and solar power, etc.)?

101) How does A.I. promise to affect the roles of biologists in various fields?

102) What current biological threats do we face in terms of biological warfare? How are biologists crucial players in national defense?

103) Explore a relationship between the biochemical signatures of the body and mental wellness / illness.

104) In what specific ways is the organic movement both a biological consideration and a marketing strategy?

105) How do biologists play significant roles in the prevention of spreading infectious diseases?

106) What are the relationships between human population growth or decline and natural ecosystems?

107) How is marine life affected by human activity (recent understandings and developments)?

108) How do biologists function in public and political conversations around sustainability?

109) Recent innovations and gaps in _________. (Have you already done some research on a very particular topic? This is your moment to delve more deeply into a branch of biology that specifically interests you !)

Psychology Capstone Project Ideas

110) What recent developments have been made in research around specific social media platforms and mental health?

111) What roles did the pandemic play in social and mental health amongst particular age groups?

112) How are recent developments in digital communication (“ghosting,” “swiping,” “liking”) indicative of disordered psychological behaviors?

113) Considering particular contexts like time and place, explore the relationships between psychological wellness and gender.

114) Investigate stress reduction efficacy amongst particular populations.

115) What is the role of mental health awareness in policies and conversations around public health?

116) What role does psychology play in pain management?

117) In what ways are clinical psychologists and therapists uniquely poised to conduct empirical research?

118) What recent developments exist in research around various types of trauma?

119) What daily interventions need to be explored in the reduction of anxiety and sleep disorders?

120) What is the developing role of telemedicine and online mental healthcare?

121) In what ways are particular prescription drugs more or less effective when paired with traditional types of psychotherapy?

122) In what ways do companies utilize psychology in marketing and branding?

123) What is the role of the child psychologist in public schools?

124) In what ways can HR departments benefit from on-staff mental health workers?

125) Explore distinctions between child psychologists and early childhood educators.

126) What interventions can be made in the realm of public policy to lessen the social stigma of mental health disorders?

127) How can psychology be used to create more efficient workplaces?

128) In what ways can new technology like apps and AI be implemented in the ongoing care of mental health patients?

129) Recent innovations and gaps in _________. (Have you already done some research on a very particular topic? This is your moment to delve more deeply into a branch of psychology that specifically interests you !)

Business and Accounting Capstone Project Ideas

130) What are the current impacts of globalization on business strategy?

131) How can organizations change communication practices?

132) What are the relationships between sales, brand perception, and social justice movements?

133) In what ways are women perceived and compensated in the finance field? How has this developed over the past decade? What developments remain to be seen?

134) What leadership training programs and strategies best serve managers?

135) Exploring sustainable business practices.

136) In what ways can company structure influence business innovation?

137) What are the current trends and best practices for inter-departmental conflict resolution within businesses?

138) Exploring effects of mergers and acquisitions for specific companies.

139) What is the specific role of HR in performance management amongst employees?

140) Recent explorations of forensic accounting in cases of embezzlement.

141) Perform a case study analysis of a particular taxation policy.

142) What are some important features of the ethics of non-profit accounting?

143) In what ways can we measure international accounting standards?

144) Due to the pandemic, how have budgeting and financial planning methods evolved in recent years?

145) What specific impacts can we predict in the accounting field as a result of AI and other advancing technologies?

146) Perform an analysis of marketing strategies that utilize social media.

147) How can companies maximize consumer engagement in saturated markets?

148 Which technologies and designs are most effective in brand management and dispersion?

149) Recent innovations and gaps in _________. (Have you already done some research on a very particular topic? This is your moment to delve more deeply into a branch of business or accounting that specifically interests you !)

Capstone Project Examples – Works Cited

[i] Kahu, Ella., Karen Nelson, Catherine Picton. “Student Interest as a Key Driver of Engagement for First Year Students.” Student Success. Volume 8, Issue 2, pp. 55-66. July 2017.

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• What is an MBA Capstone Project?

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An MBA capstone project is the final step in many MBA programs. It’s here that MBA students put all that they’ve learned into practice by analyzing a meaningful and strategic business question. Often, this involves hands-on work within an existing company, but not always: MBA capstone projects can take the form of startup business plans and business simulations, too.

No matter their format or focus, each capstone project will likely be the most intensive and rewarding feature of an MBA candidate’s journey.

A capstone project is not the same as a thesis project, although they do share some qualities. Thesis projects are focused on theory and research and are based on the situations one would face in academia. Often taking the form of a large research paper, thesis projects can last the entire final year of an academic program, and some students may even begin before that, with the ultimate goal of contributing new knowledge to the canon of business research.

MBA capstone projects, by contrast, are more practical and similar to situations one would face in the business world. Here, students work in teams to answer strategic business questions. MBA capstones are hands-on immersions with real-world consequences, and they can have a major impact on an MBA graduate’s program experience and career.

Read on to see some examples of MBA capstone projects and get a walkthrough of the general process.

Stages of an MBA Capstone Project

Most MBA capstone projects occur during a program’s final year and can last anywhere from four weeks to a full semester. They often include some form of instruction (whether through prerequisite courses or scheduled advising) and practical application.

While MBA capstone programs will vary in format from program to program, they generally include the following stages:

• Topic Selection
• Preliminary Research
• Project Execution
• Written Report
• Final Presentation

It’s not necessarily over after the final presentation, either: some capstone projects carry over beyond the MBA program, leading to successful startup businesses, offers of employment, or investment opportunities.

Choosing a Capstone Topic

Many MBA programs provide some structured options for choosing a capstone topic. This can mean students are allowed to select from a list of possible partnership opportunities; it can also mean that faculty advisors will work with students to find a topic that meets the student’s strengths, weaknesses, and goals. But in other programs, MBA students are more free to choose their topic and their partner organization.

In their capstone project, MBA students should select a topic where they can answer a meaningful and strategic business question: one that’s complex enough to warrant significant time and energy, but also realistic enough to be achievable. These are not theoretical questions; each is tailored to a specific real-world business.

Some examples of MBA capstone topics include:

• What are the short-term outcomes of a mutual fund’s impact-investing initiative?
• How do multinational companies’ diversity and inclusion efforts adapt to non-Western office environments?
• What is the market feasibility of a startup’s application in target demographics?
• How can a recently downsized organization recover employee morale while balancing the budget?

The capstone topic must be specifically relevant to the partner company or organization. To this end, MBA students should heavily research the company’s strengths, weaknesses, and objectives before selecting their topic.

Similarly, MBA students should also turn that lens on themselves: what problems do they want to explore in their business careers, what causes do they find interesting, and how can their unique skill set be best put to use?

How an MBA Capstone is Graded

Some programs provide MBA candidates with a rubric for how their capstone will be graded, while others do not. Most capstones are graded through their ability to demonstrate key business skills (theoretical, practical, applied, and reflective) across functional areas (finance, human resources, marketing, and operations).

The final presentation is also a factor, as this is where the candidate demonstrates what they learned, or didn’t, through the course of the capstone.

An MBA candidate will rarely fail their capstone project. After all, they’ve made it through practically an entire MBA program up until then. Even if the project is a failure from a business point of view, an MBA candidate will likely still be able to effectively analyze where and why the project failed, and what lessons can be learned from that failure going forward.

Examples of MBA Capstone Projects

Ucla anderson school of management capstone project.

The MBA program at UCLA Anderson School of Management offers three capstone options: the Global Access Program (GAP), the Business Creation Project (BCP), and Anderson Student Asset Management (ASAM).

In the GAP, students partner with high-growth global companies in a market-entry consulting project. Working in five- to six-person teams, students bid on partnership opportunities, perform five to six months of research, then travel internationally to the partner organization. Combining interviews, meetings, and research, the students develop effective strategic business plans to advance the organization’s growth and present it to the organization’s executives, potential investors, and industry professionals.

Along the way, students are advised by faculty members who have directed, invested in, and provided consulting services to leading companies worldwide. In the last 20 years, over 3,000 students have completed the GAP, impacting 738 companies across 23 countries.

For students with an entrepreneurship focus, the BCP offers them the chance to launch a company. Students will work in teams across two academic quarters after taking two prerequisite courses to prepare their business plans. Through extensive research, development, and implementation, students will put strategies for every aspect of their business into practice. In three years, the BCO has had 47 teams and launched 24 companies.

The ASAM program is for current and aspiring quants who want experience as successful long-term portfolio managers. Guided by a faculty advisor and oversight committee, students in the ASAM program will select an optimal mix of equity, fixed income, and cash investments. Each four-member team manages approximately $200,000. Students will rotate work roles between that of an executive board member, strategy lead, risk manager, and programmer.

Carnegie Mellon University Tepper School of Business Capstone Project

The MBA program at Carnegie Mellon University Tepper School of Business offers students two different forms of capstone program: Strategic Management of the Enterprise and Management Game.

The Strategic Management of the Enterprise capstone is an experiential learning course where students are matched with one of several consulting projects to solve business problems partner companies face. This is a more traditional capstone program, focused on the practical application of business skills learned through the MBA curriculum. Past clients have included Walmart, P&G, and Ameriprise.

Tepper’s Management Game capstone is an applied management experience. Student teams run a computer-simulated multinational manufacturing company for three years, acting as its executive committee. Taking place at the end of the MBA program’s curriculum, the Management Game capstone focuses on the unstructured nature of business problems and prods students to use all the functional skills they’ve learned so far. External-facing exercises include interaction with industry partners and are related to each student’s career choices.

Uniquely, the Management Game capstone is graded by external professionals on the merit of the results students deliver; students can receive direct feedback from corporate partners throughout the process.

University of Dallas Satish & Yasmin Gupta College of Business Capstone Consulting Experience

The capstone consulting experience in the MBA program at the University of Dallas allows students to solve a strategic problem an organization faces. Since it was launched in 1973 as one of the first student consulting and research programs in the U.S., this capstone consulting experience has prepared graduates to consult with business leaders. MBA students in this capstone consulting experience have completed over 900 projects for over 500 companies including Fortune 1000 firms, entrepreneurial ventures, and nonprofit organizations.

Under the guidance of faculty members, students participate on a team assigned to work with a real organization on a 12-week comprehensive project. Every team will work together to provide actionable recommendations, including a proposal, industry/market research, a presentation, and recommendations in the form of a report.

Matt Zbrog is a writer and researcher from Southern California. Since 2018, he’s written extensively about how new and aspiring business school students can best plan their education and careers. In the Two Views series, he conducts detailed interviews with recent business school alumni, with a particular focus on the choice between in-person, online, and hybrid learning models. His Femme-BA series highlights business schools that not only excel academically but also take unique and robust steps to support a diverse and inclusive learning environment for women.

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Real-World Business challenges

In the Applied Management Research (AMR) field study, you’ll work on a team to address a challenge for a client organization. After a deep dive into research, you’ll present key insights and your recommendations. The Business Creation Option gives you the chance to work with a team of classmates to launch your own business. Students who participate in the Student Investment Fund (SIF) manage a $2 million fund, while visiting leading companies to learn about strategies and philosophies. The Anderson Strategy Group (ASG) is a capstone project that involves a commitment during your first and second years, and gives students focused on consulting a chance to work on and manage a project with classmates. Students who participate in the NAIOP Real Estate Case Competition earn capstone project credit through this six-month assessment of a local property, determining the highest and best use for real estate development. Finally, Anderson has partnered with XPRIZE and their Visioneers program to put students on the front line of designing XPRIZE competitions to address the world’s grand challenges.

In this field study, you’ll work in a team to address a challenge for a client organization. After a deep dive into research, you’ll present key insights and your recommendations.

Bcp gives you the chance to work with a team of classmates to launch your own business., this set of capstone options is more tailored to students' various career paths and interests, and includes: global social impact consulting entertainment & sports analytics early stage investing a/b testing marketing behavior change in marketing.

Students who participate in SIF manage a $2 million fund, while visiting leading companies to learn about strategies and philosophies.  

ASG is a capstone project that involves a commitment during your first and second years, and gives students focused on consulting a chance to work on and manage a project with classmates.

Students who participate in the NAIOP case competition earn capstone project credit through this six-month assessment of a local property.

• Team determines best use for a real site in Southern California
• Case competition against USC + write up
• Fall & Winter quarter of second year

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NEWS RELEASE:

UCLA Excels in Local and National Real Estate Case Competitions

Los Angeles (November 20, 2018) — UCLA graduate student teams won the 2018 NAIOP SoCal Real Estate Challenge and placed second in the 2018 National Real Estate Challenge hosted by the University of Texas at Austin. Both case competitions took place on November 15, 2018, at UCLA and UT Austin, respectively.

NAIOP team (left to right): UCLA Anderson Professor Paul Habibi, Jeffrey Eigenbrood (’19), Daniel Polk (’19), Ben Morrison (’19), Robert Anthony (’19), Nicholas Marino (’19)

The NAIOP SoCal Real Estate Challenge team consisted of Class of 2019 UCLA Anderson MBA students Robert Anthony , Jeff Eigenbrood , Nick Marino and Ben Morrison , and UCLA School of the Arts and Architecture student Daniel Polk. The annual event, sponsored by the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties (NAIOP), presents a specific real estate case challenge to a team of students at UCLA and USC. In addition to providing a rich learning experience that requires participating students to produce high-quality professional work within a limited time frame, the competition is designed to showcase the talents and creativity of the next generation of real estate professionals.

This year, the NAIOP Challenge involved two undeveloped parcels on 11 acres of land located at the southwest corner of Del Amo Avenue and Newport Avenue in Tustin, California. The city acquired the property in 2007 and it has been vacant since that time. The site is a highly visible infill adjacent to the 55 freeway and near the massive Tustin Legacy, the 1600-acre former Tustin Marine Corps Air Station, which is currently being redeveloped. The site sits in an area of the Pacific Center East Specific Plan, which is a major employment center in Tustin that will continue to grow.

UCLA’s team proposed a project they titled Solana (Spanish for solarium or sunny spot) that was inspired by strawberry farming that had once taken place on the site. Solana is a natural extension of the nearby Tustin Legacy project, which involves the transformation of 16,000 acres of raw land into a massive master-planned commercial and residential community.

Video fly-through of the UCLA NAIOP “Solano – Tustin” Development

UCLA’s Solana consists of two select service hotels (305 keys), 240 multifamily units, 10,000 square feet of retail, 75 units of 80 percent affordable housing and more than 150,000 square feet of community space. “I am enormously proud of our NAIOP Challenge team,” said Tim Kawahara, executive director of the Richard S. Ziman Center for Real Estate at UCLA. “Our students proposed a very thoughtful project that provides both commercial value and community benefits to the City of Tustin.”

In its 21st year, the NAIOP Real Estate Challenge celebrates the rivalry between USC and UCLA and illustrates the robust real estate programs at both universities. The winning team is awarded the Silver Shovel, which is inscribed with all past winners’ names. In addition, a $5,000 contribution is made in the name of the winning school to the Challenge for Charity (C4C), benefiting the Special Olympics.

National Real Estate Challenge team (left to right): DaJuan Bennett (’20), Austen Mount (’20), Anne Sewall (’20), James Blake (’20), Robert Walls (’20)

The National Real Estate Challenge team from UCLA consisted of Class of 2020 UCLA Anderson MBA students DaJuan Bennett , James Blake , Austen Mount , Anne M. Sewall and Robert Walls . The challenge, held annually at the McCombs School of Business at UT Austin, is an invitation-only case competition for student teams from the nation’s top-ranked business schools. The case competition involves the analysis of a recent real estate transaction consummated by a leading global real estate firm. Judging panels consist of senior executives from leading real estate companies across the U.S., creating outstanding opportunities for learning, networking and recruitment.

This year, the case centered on a hold/sell analysis for a recently delivered, eight-story office building in “River Valley” (later revealed to be Austin, TX). The property had been a successful 80-percent leased development for the fund. Teams were given the following options: sell the building immediately; hold on to the property with the existing debt; re-finance the property at a higher leverage point (either 65 or 75 percent LTV instead of the 50 percent LTC loan in place); or sell the property and use the proceeds to pursue another office development in “West Hamilton” (later revealed to be Santa Monica, CA). Student teams were prompted to model the two investments to determine the quantitative benefits of each option, but also to look at the national office market, consider the impact of interest rates on cap rates and determine whether co-working and remote working would impact leasing either of the projects.

The UCLA team recommended holding on to the existing property and refinancing the building at 65 percent LTV. The thought process was, while the base case scenario provided was likely to occur, the team wanted to ensure a comfort level with the investment in a downside scenario, which made the pipeline investment and 75 percent LTV financing options too risky. Conversely, the team suggested that selling the property now or maintaining the 50 percent LTC loan were too conservative given the quality of the property and the strength of the “River Valley” market.

“The UT Austin McCombs School of Business National Real Estate Challenge is among the most prestigious real estate case competitions in the nation, so even to place is a huge accomplishment,” said Tim Kawahara. “The team’s success represents the caliber of students at UCLA Anderson and the strength of our real estate curriculum and programs.”

An investment fund managed by student portfolio managers dedicated to the pursuit of favorable risk-adjusted returns.

Applied Management Research

We pioneered practical learning with the applied management research program.

UCLA Anderson launched the first MBA field study program 54 years ago. The AMR program has worked with over 5,000 clients, including Fortune 500 companies, nonprofits, microfinance institutions and startups. You’ll work with a team of peers on a two-quarter project that will solve an organization’s key business problem, while expanding your professional network and experience working in a new field, and inviting you to explore your career options. The AMR program takes place during fall and winter quarters of the second year.

Ballard Metcalfe (’19), Ariel Wang (’19), and Cris Erdtsieck (’19) analyzed how a Peruvian non-profit organization could maximize revenues and lower transaction costs while increasing client satisfaction and engagement.

Global Reach of AMR Projects in 2019–2020

Project Industries

Student impressions of amr.

From The Blog

Sustaining Effective NCD Screen in a South Africa community Requires an Ecosystem of Strategic Partners

Improving the Quality of Sustainable Coffee Production in San Martín, Peru

Prestigious Awards for UCLA Anderson Class of 2017 Field Study Teams

BCP Team KPOP Foods (clockwise from top left): Alex Kim (’17), Ryan Kennelly (’17), Mike Kim (’17), Theo Lee (’17), Erica Suk (’17).

BCP Success Stories

BodySpec (Class of 2014)

BodySpec provides individualized information to health-conscious individuals. We offer full-body scans utilizing dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scanning technology.

Project Description: BodySpec provides individualized health information to health-conscious individuals. We offer full-body scans utilizing dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scanning technology. These scans provide data about an individual’s muscle mass, body fat and bone density at a more granular, accurate and actionable level than any other body composition technology currently available in the fitness industry. Revenue will primarily be generated through scanning fees from individuals (an average of $90 per scan) and subscription fees from personal trainers to access client data.

Update: BCO project is thriving. They've hit many significant milestones and are enthusiastic about BodySpec and helping out current Anderson students.

SmartestK12 (Class of 2014)

To help teachers better understand their students, SmartestK12 transforms all assignments, assessments or classroom interactions into rich student data that allows teachers, parents and school administrators to track each child’s learning in real time and take actions to ensure academic growth.

SMARTESTK12 (CLASS OF 2014)

Project Description: To help teachers better understand their students, SmartestK12 transforms all assignments, assessments or classroom interactions into rich student data that allows teachers, parents and school administrators to track each child’s learning in real time and take actions to ensure academic growth. We feel that education is the foundation for human progress, and that each student deserves an education custom built to her or his needs. SmartestK12 aims to unleash the individual and create a sustainable, never-ending supply of future scientists, historians, mathematicians, authors, scholars and creative geniuses.

Update: The company is still up and running, rebranded as Formative for a new application the founders created that is proving very promising.

Sportifik (Class of 2014)

Sportifik is a web- and mobile-based league management platform that engages college students in recreational activities. Adopted by over 25 universities across the country, including UCLA, Stanford and UC Berkeley, Sportifik empowers university recreation programs with the ability to effectively coordinate sports leagues and tournaments and engage students in healthy and active lifestyles.

SPORTIFIK (CLASS OF 2014)

Project Description:  Sportifik is creating a community of athletes and changing the way people participate in sports. We are providing amateur athletes and avid sports fans with the best means to easily organize and manage their sporting activities through a user friendly one-stop-shop mobile and web solution. Our platform will enable users to seamlessly partake in sporting activities in a fun and rewarding way while enabling them to meet members of their local communities who share a passion for the same sports.

Update:  Still working on their startup and the project is ongoing in LA. They've raised a seed round, grown their user base and client base significantly. They’re still implementing the pivot they started during BCO and are looking to add another part to their project.

Student entrepreneur taps into UCLA resources to 'grow' his news website

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AMR: Business Creation Option (BCP) Spotlight on GOshopping

BCP Mentors

Internet, Business and Intellectual Property Attorney Cohen Business Law Group

Investor Upfront Ventures

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MMHC Capstone Strategy Project

The Capstone Project engages teams of students on projects of significant importance to their organizations. The student team is responsible for diagnosing the critical problem, defining an appropriate scope of work, managing institutional expectations, and producing a suitable recommendation in both written and presentation form.

Your Capstone Team

It takes many managers, healthcare practitioners and other executives to care for a patient and to manage a healthcare organization. Having the skills to manage a team, evaluate critical problems, and execute solutions is required to be an effective business leader. This is why your Capstone Team will be comprised of a cross-functional group of 4-5 executives, each with a diverse set of backgrounds and industry experiences, giving you an experience that emulates the work environment of a healthcare delivery organization. Support includes coaching on team dynamics and the progress of your work together, checkpoints to ensure you’re on track, and guidance for projects that serve as a real-world learning lab.

The Project

The Capstone Strategy Project complements the classroom instruction and is defined as learning by construction. It is a total immersion experience in which students are challenged to use all of the tools and concepts learned to date to tackle a current business problem for a healthcare organization.

With faculty oversight, you demonstrate rigorous application of business concepts and disciplines. Leading a project of utmost importance for your organization provides immediate impact that benefits the student and the sponsoring organization.

Your team will kick off the Capstone Strategy Project in Mod 3 by meeting with the client sponsor to outline and discuss the initiative at hand. Your team will spend the next six months working on all aspects of the project, including:

I learned so much about the health care business model, and I hope to use it to improve processes across all segments of health care. Cara Anderson, Master of Management in Health Care, 2021

The Benefits For You

For the students, the Capstone Strategy Projects are opportunities to exhibit the healthcare business management knowledge you’ve acquired. You will demonstrate, to yourself and your organization, your ability to problem-solve creatively, make strategic decisions, and manage as part of a high-level executive team. Learn More .

The Benefits for Your Organization

For an organization, the Capstone Strategy Projects is an opportunity to have a team of experienced mid-level health care professionals conduct an intense engagement to address a current business need.  Learn More .

See how MMHC students' capstone helped improve Emergency Department wait times and efficiency at VUMC.

How MMHC benefits your organization

A closer look at the program through the eyes of students, faculty and sponsoring organizations

• Master's resources

Strategies for a Successful Capstone Project

• May 23, 2022

Home Educators Blog

Capstone projects allow students to showcase what they have learned in a particular academic program. While exams can be a summative way to gauge a student’s knowledge of the material, a capstone project allows for showcasing expertise and applying it to solve real-world issues.

A capstone project for  action research is a primary tool used at the collegiate level, particularly in a graduate program. In order to know what makes a successful capstone project, it is essential to understand the specific intent of the project and what components the capstone project consists of.

What is a Capstone Project?  

For students in graduate education school, there are multiple forms of culmination projects. At the master’s degree level, a student may have to write a thesis or capstone. They will be writing either dissertations or capstone project for doctoral programs. It is important to know the  difference between doctoral capstone and a dissertation  for aspiring researchers and scholars.

A capstone project for graduate school is a culminating project that has students apply their knowledge, skills, and training to a real-world problem. Many graduate degrees in the field of education, liberal arts, public health, and communication utilize capstone projects for a student’s final work to graduate.

Components of a Capstone Project

Generally, there are five to six components in completing a graduate-level action research project , and the names of the components may vary depending on the degree, university, or college.

Although the terminology of capstones will differ from one university or college to another, there is a central theme to the research project which shares common components. These themes focus on research, application-based components, and expectations.

In education degree programs, the components are:

Introduction

Literature review, methodology.

• Discussions

To understand your journey into completing a successful capstone project, let’s dive into the various components.

The abstract section is a condensed overview of the capstone project. In this section, there will be details about the project’s purpose, what specific research questions will be asked, and how the students will facilitate learning through research methods. Furthermore, this section gives a brief explanation of how the research findings were collected, validated, and what conclusions were drawn.

The introduction portion is where the researcher details the beginning parts of their project and what the intent of the project is.

This section puts together a detailed and comprehensive analysis of the research that is relevant to the research topic. Within this section is evidence found in research articles, books, and information specific to the content of the project and the vital need to find a successful methodology.

The methodology section is the section of the project where the researcher and scholar explain what  methods and materials  they will use to collect and analyze data and what specific instrumental they will be using to gather their findings.

Examples of this could be using specific data collection techniques such as:

• Frequency distribution tables
• Statistical analysis tools

For this section, the research findings are articulated, and the explanation of statistical and data analysis is explained. This is where the scholar speaks directly about the participants in the study, the knowledge, and experience shared with the project.

The discussion or conclusion section is where the researcher writes about future implications and recommendations for the project. This is also when the scholar or researcher emphasizes how the particular project adds to the current body of work by others and how they can apply the research findings to a real-world need.

Strategies for a Successful Capstone Project 

Completing a capstone project successfully comes from being well-prepared, setting goals, and being open to feedback and constant review. The following are strategies that will help you complete a capstone project:

Find a Topic You’ll Enjoy Researching 

Whether it is education, public health, or an MBA program, finding a topic interesting to you is vital. A capstone project has high expectations for academic research that will add value to the current career field. Be sure to consider multiple ideas to research and narrow down the specific topic of interest.

Find a topic you are passionate about at the beginning of the program. Although you may have multiple ideas, finding a topic you are passionate about early will save you time and allow you to gather more effective resources.

Find Effective Resources

When researching your capstone project, finding adequate resources adds credibility and substance to your project. The types of resources and references used in the project should be a combination of conversations with experts in the current field,  peer reviewed  articles and essays, and common researched-based studies specific to the topics. Doing this will help you formulate your thoughts and outline the tools and methods you will use for your methodology and later findings.

Time Management

A successful capstone needs to have  time management  as a priority. Consider creating a schedule of when to do work on your project. These can be long-term goals you and your professor set, but they also needs to include personal goals for weekly and daily time management.

During your project, you will get feedback from your professors, conduct interviews, and edit your materials. Protecting your time with family and friends and balancing time to research are equally important. This gives you a balance of both personal, professional goals, and wellness .

Collaborate with Others 

Colleges, universities, and research institutions are places where students collaborate with others, discover new passions, and find ways to enhance their career and professional development . While completing your capstone, be sure to collaborate with other like-minded individuals.

These could be students in your current graduate program, professionals in the career field that add knowledge and value to your project, and can also include students from other specialties and degree programs. This will give you the perspectives of others while completing your work, while also developing the necessary communication, technical, and academic skills to be successful.

A capstone project is a comprehensive way to do action-based research and give the student the skills they need to be successful in their career field. Finding the right project for you, a consistent support system, and a network of scholars and professionals will ensure your success and a project that will positively influence others.

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9 HR Capstone Project Examples for HRMBA Students

• Published April 27, 2018
• Last Updated June 23, 2023

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Nine HR Capstone Project Examples

• Human Resources Theory into Practice
• Effect of Increasing Training Budget
• Methods of Employee Assessment
• How Does the Human Resources Department Increase the Value of a Company?
• Workplace Diversity Concerns
• What Are the Key Factors that Contribute to Employee Turnover Within the Organization?
• What is the Relationship Between Employee Recognition Programs and Employee Morale and Retention?
• How Does the Implementation of Flexible Work Arrangements Affect Employee Engagement and Work-Life Balance?
• How Does Leadership Style Impact Employee Motivation and Job Satisfaction in Organizations?

A capstone project is one of the final tasks in business school.  Through the process, whether an international business or HRMBA capstone project, students demonstrate that they understand the principles of their field and can practically apply this information. Many business students, especially those in human resource management, choose to use their final project as an opportunity to learn more about a particular subcategory as well as boost their resume. Since there are so many different career paths for HRMBA graduates, a targeted capstone experience can help these students jumpstart their career after graduation. Some human resources management capstone project ideas include the following.

Read:  Top 50 Best Online Master’s in HR Degree Programs (MSHR)

1. Human Resources Theory into Practice

For this project idea, students can examine a few different theories in human resources or just do an in-depth study on one and describe what the selected theories look like in the industry. Many times, these capstone projects include an element of experiential learning where the student spends time in a workplace to understand what the job is actually like. During this experience, the student then watches for specific techniques used by the human resource department. Then, at the capstone presentation, they can highlight which theories and techniques were used at the work site and the results and any recommendations based on human resources theory.

2. Effect of Increasing Training Budget

This project focuses on the degree to which employee training can affect profits. For this capstone idea, after choosing a specific workplace, a student can examine the current training methods and determine what changes would be effective. Based on the data collected and predictive modeling techniques, the student can calculate the tipping point, or at what point adding money to training no longer increases profits and how much is added up until that point.

3. Methods of Employee Performance Appraisal

Along with training, another aspect of human resources involves rating an employee’s performance in a variety of areas. Sometimes, this is based on definitive data, but other times, this involves quantifying less directly measurable skills. For this HRMBA capstone project idea, a student could explore ways of objectively scoring employee performance in these positions. Another aspect of this involves removing subjective bias during the interview process.

4. How Does the Human Resources Department Increase the Value of a Company?

This capstone idea focuses on the intrinsic value of a strong human resource department and how this affects different aspects of the company. Training methods, employee motivational programs, benefits selection, and recruitment processes all affect how employees view their workplace. Further, the student can describe how these also determine the opinions of other companies, potential applicants, and the general public.

5. How do Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives Impact Organizational Performance and Innovation? 

Increasing diversity at all levels of employment is becoming more important. According to Forbes , the field of human resources is changing, and one main aspect of this involves companies being open about the diversity of their staff or lack thereof. For this capstone HR  project, students demonstrate all the benefits of diversity in the workplace including the financial and cultural effects.

6. What Are the Key Factors that Contribute to Employee Turnover Within the Organization?

This capstone could be a research project looking at the top reasons for turnover within an organization.  While specific factors can vary based on the industry, several factors could be explored including:

• Job dissatisfaction
• Lack of career development
• Poor leadership and management
• Lack of recognition and reward
• Work environment and relationships

If turnover is your area of interest, HRMBA students could partner with an organization to do an assessment and make recommendations.  Interviews or surveys could be conducted with management and former staff to learn more about their reason for leaving.  Recommendations could be made to the organization with ways they could reduce their turnover rate.

7.  What is the Relationship Between Employee Recognition Programs and Employee Morale and Retention?

Recognizing and appreciating employees’ efforts and achievements boosts their motivation and morale.  When employees feel valued and appreciated, they are more like to be engaged and productive.  But how do you know if your organization’s recognition program is effective?  A capstone studying an organization’s recognition program that includes interviews or surveys with staff would be of great value to an organization.  Some other HR project ideas in this area could consist of:

• What are the key factors that influence employee retention within an organization?
• What is the relationship between employee recognition and retention within the organization?
• How effective are current employee retention efforts in reducing turnover rates?
• What role does work-life balance play in employee retention?

8. How Does the Implementation of Flexible Work Arrangements Affect Employee Engagement and Work-Life Balance?

While flexible work arrangements existed before the COVID pandemic, there has been a 20% increase in companies who prioritize flexible scheduling since 2019.  After years of remote work, there is finally enough data to show that it works.  According to McKinsey’s American Opportunity Survey, 58% of Americans reported having the opportunity to work from home at least one day a week.  The survey also showed that 87% of workers accept a flexible work arrangement when it is offered.  Flexible work arrangements are a desirable feature for American workers.

Not every industry is structured to support work from home, so fortunately company leadership can choose from a variety of flexible work arrangements.  Here are some research questions that could provide some capstone project ideas .

• What are the perceived advantages and disadvantages of flexible work arrangements from the perspective of both employees and employers?
• What is the impact of flexible work arrangements on team collaboration, team building, and coordination?
• How do different types of flexible work arrangements affect employee outcomes and organizational outcomes?

9.  How Does Leadership Style Impact Employee Motivation and Job Satisfaction in Organizations? 

Human resources is a popular concentration within an MBA program.  MBA graduates are prepared for leadership roles within an organization, so their capstone experience must provide them with the opportunity to develop these leadership skills.  HR MBA capstone project ideas related to leadership style can be a journey of self-discovery.  Completing a capstone experience in an organization can help you identify leadership behaviors that drive employees to succeed.  By comparing the leadership styles within several different organizations, MBA HR students can begin to see which styles have a positive impact on an organization and which may be toxic.

At the end of most graduate programs, students need to display their mastery of the core competencies in their field. Completing a capstone project during an HRMBA program showcases a student’s knowledge and also allows students to focus on an area of human resources that is of particular interest to them.  We hope these capstone human resources /MBA ideas have been a helpful resource.

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7. Mapping Out your Capstone Project

Learning Objectives

By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:

• Explain how visual mapping can be used to organize knowledge and structure for your capstone project.
• Compare and contrast Logic Models and Concept Maps
• Explain how Problem Tree and Root Cause analyses can help you better understand identified problems, issues, or needs and develop methods for addressing them.
• Utilize a SWOT analysis for strategic planning of the capstone process.

This chapter focuses on visual mapping tools that can help you plan and implement your capstone project.  The purpose of Logic Models and Concept Mapping in relation to capstone projects are explained.  Problem Tree and Root Cause analyses are described in the context of identifying and planning for capstone project development.  Strength, Weakness, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) Analysis, as a strategic planning model for capstone development, is also discussed.

Introduction

Visual mapping, as a capstone planning tool,  is an excellent way to organize knowledge that can help you to structure, address,  and systematically approach your capstone topic.  A Logic Model is a graphic depiction, or road map, that presents the shared relationships among resources, activities, outputs, and outcomes/impacts of your capstone project’s activities.  The intended effect of a Logic Model is the “if-then” relationship among the project’s elements (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2018).  Concept mapping is a useful tool that can be used to define your theoretical framework and to visually display how it is applied to your literature review (Grant & Osanloo, 2016).  Problem Tree analysis, also referred to as Situational analysis, can be used for project planning.  Problem Tree analysis can help you find solutions to an identified problem, issue, or need by mapping out the anatomy of the cause and effect (Luma Institute, 2021).  Root Cause analysis can be used to discover the root causes of a problem, issue, or need to identify appropriate solutions (Guavera, 2018).  Finally, a SWOT  Analysis is a dynamic planning model that can be used to plot out a future course for your capstone project by acting on strengths, while minimizing associated risks.  It is important for students to develop knowledge and skills with visual mapping models and techniques in order to enhance their capstone project planning and development.

Logic Models

Logic Models provide a visual representation of an entire program in a flow chart format. Logic Models are a systematic and visual way to present and share your understanding of the relationships among the resources you have compiled to conduct your capstone project, the activities planned for implementation, and the anticipated changes or results from project/program implementation.

Components of a Logic Model

Logic models can focus on any level of a program:  the entire organization, one of its component departments or programs, or just specific parts of a department or a program.  Although logic models differ widely in format and level of detail, the following key terms should be considered in its development (Refer to Table 7.1:  Key Terms Used in Logic Models)

Table 7.1:  Key Terms Used in Logic Models

Sources:  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC]. (2018, December 12). Framework step 2 checklist . Centers for

Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved September 18, 2022, from https://www.cdc.gov/evaluation/steps/step2/index.htm; Doll, J. D. (2010). Program development and grant writing in Occupational therapy: Making the connection . Jones and Bartlett Publishers. (Refer to Appendix 7.A:  Sample Logic Model:  Community-Based Diabetes Prevention Program).

Concept Mapping

Concept mapping is a useful tool that can be used to define your theoretical framework and to visually display how it is applied to your capstone project’s literature review.  Basically, concept mapping is a process for representing and organizing ideas using pictures. The goal of a concept map is to simplify complex concepts using circles, boxes, and/or other shapes that are linked with arrows carrying explanatory legends that depict pictorial connections between ideas (Grant & Osonloo, 2016).

A concept map offers you an instrument to draw a plan for how you will approach your capstone project within a specific theoretical framework.  First, you should review literature and organize key issues of interest related to your topic.  These are the foundational concepts that support your chosen theory.  Next, arrange your ideas in a hierarchical, logical structure.  You can start with general ideas and funnel your thinking down to more specific, related topics and ideas.  Each idea should have a clear purpose and significance in relation to the aggregate topic.  Readers of your capstone project should begin to see a clear picture of your ideas by previewing the organization and identification of your key topics.  Visual arrows and connectors should provide insight into how concepts are aligned and connected and illustrate the flow of ideas.  Lastly, frame out your entire map with your theoretical framework and your PIO/PICO question (Grant & Osonloo, 2016).  Concept maps will help you write a clear literature review in an organized manner that is aligned with your chosen theoretical framework (Refer to Table 7.2:  Items to be Included in a Literature Review Rooted in Theory).

Table 7.2:  Items to be Included in a Literature Review Rooted in Theory

Source:  Grant, C. & Osanloo, A. (2016). Understanding, selecting, and integrating a theoretical framework in dissertation research: Creating the blueprint for your “house”. Administrative issues journal: connecting education, practice, and research ,  4 (2),7.

The ability to construct a concept map illustrates two essential properties of understanding:  the representation and the organization of ideas.  A holistic view of your developing concept map will allow you to view concepts that may or may not fit with your theoretical framework.  Your capstone instructors, and mentor can help you evaluate the feasibility of the theory, plan, and approach to your capstone project (Grant & Osonloo, 2016). (Refer to Appendix 7.B:  Sample Concept Map:  Person-Environment-Occupation Model).

Problem-Tree Analysis

Problem Tree Analysis provides a template for mapping causes and effects to better understand the chain of connected circumstances that led to a current issue, problem, or need.  Using the tree as a metaphor, you separate the causes (roots) from the effects (branches) of a central issue (trunk).  Problem Tree Analysis provides a structured way for you to identify concerns, discern causes from symptoms, and potentially frame problem statements in a clear manner.  Problem Tree Analysis can help you:

• untangle complex problems
• reveal various causes and effects
• build a shared understanding
• provide a direction for problem-solving

Problem Tree Analysis, which is also known as a Situational analysis or Problem analysis is central in many forms of project and program planning (Luma Institute, 2021).   (Refer to Table 7.3:  Advantages of Problem Tree Analysis).

Table 7.3:  Advantages of Problem Tree Analysis

Source:  Planning tools: Problem tree analysis . ODI. (2014, June 27). Retrieved September 18, 2022, from https://odi.org/en/publications/planning-tools-problem-tree-analysis/  (Refer to Appendix 7.C:  Sample Problem Tree Analysis:  Pediatric HIV)

Root Cause Analysis

Root cause analysis (RCA) is the process of discovering the root causes of problems to identify appropriate solutions.  RCA assumes that it is much more effective to systematically prevent and solve for underlying issues rather than just treating unplanned symptoms and putting out fires.  RCA can be performed with a collection of principles, techniques, and methodologies that can all be leveraged to identify the root cause of an event or trend.  Looking beyond superficial cause and effect, RCA can show where processes or systems failed or caused an issue, problem, or need in the first place. Identifying the root causes of a problem, issue, or need helps in developing more effective strategies to overcome it (Guavera, 2022).  There are three basic types of root causes that can have a potential impact on a problem, need, issue, or event:

• Physical causes
• Human causes
• Organizational causes

The first goal of RCA is to discover the root cause of a problem, issue, need, or event.  The second goal is to fully understand how to fix, compensate, or to learn from any underlying issues within the root cause. The third goal is to apply what we learn from this analysis to systematically prevent future issues or to repeat successes ( Root cause analysis explained: Definition, examples, and methods . Tableau, n.d.).

There are several core principles that guide effective root cause analysis, some of which may be readily apparent while others may not (Refer to Table 7.4:  Core Principles of Root Causes Analysis).

Table 7.4:  Core Principles of Root Cause Analysis

Source:  Root cause analysis explained: Definition, examples, and methods . Tableau. (n.d.). Retrieved September 18, 2022, from https://www.tableau.com/learn/articles/root-cause-analysis

It should be noted that RCA is not a one-size fits all methodology.  Rather, there are many tools, processes, and techniques that can be used in conducting in  RCAs.  Regardless of the technique chosen, the process for Root Cause Analysis remains the same (Refer to Table 7.5:  Root Cause Analysis Process).

It should be noted that RCA is not a one-size fits all methodology.  Rather, there are many tools, processes, and techniques that can be used in conducting in  RCAs.  Regardless of the technique chosen, the process for Root Cause Analysis remains the same (Refer to Table 7.5:  Root Cause Analysis Process)

Table 7.5:  Root Cause Analysis Process

Source:  Guevara, P. (2022, August 12). Root cause analysis: Definition and examples . SafetyCulture. Retrieved September 18, 2022, from https://safetyculture.com/topics/root-cause-analysis/(Refer to Appendix 7.D:  Sample Root Cause Analysis:  Fall-Related Injuries on Behavioral Health Unit)

Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) Analysis

A SWOT analysis is a high-level strategic planning model that helps organizations, programs, and/or other entities identify where they are doing well and where they can improve from both an internal and external perspective. A SWOT analysis can help you evaluate your business, program, or other entity by considering multiple factors:

• Strengths and weaknesses (represented as internal factors). Internal factors are considered things that can be controlled.  Examples include team members, program content, and geographical location.
• Opportunities and threats (represented as external factors). External factors are considered things that cannot be controlled.  Examples include policies and regulations, economic trends, and competitors.

Students can use a SWOT analysis to plot out a future course for their capstone project that will focus on project strengths while minimizing risks.  Insights you glean resulting from your SWOT analysis should be used constructively as part of the capstone planning process (Jackson, 2022).

How to Do a SWOT Analysis

Undertaking a SWOT analysis requires planning and organization.  The following steps will take you through the process:

• Step 1: Create a SWOT Matrix (Refer to Figure 7.1:  Sample SWOT Matrix)

Figure 7.1:  Sample SWOT Matrix

• Step 2: Consider including community, program, and capstone project stakeholders.  Including stakeholders input in a SWOT analysis can provide more insight as different perspectives can be considered (Jackson, 2022).
• Step 3: Lists your strengths
• Step 4: List your weaknesses
• Step 5: Identify your opportunities
• Step 6: Identify your potential threats
• Step 7: Examine your Matrix for connections

A SWOT analysis can help you with strategic planning for your capstone project and program development.  This tool can help you define objectives, create priority initiatives to help make them a reality.  Subsequently, a SWOT analysis can help you to identify measures that help to ensure that your capstone project is unfolding optimally (Refer to Appendix 7.E:  Sample SWOT Analysis for a Hospital).

Logic models can be a valuable method for establishing capstone program planning, an implementation plan, and the outcomes or changes you hope to achieve (Doll, 2010).  A concept map is an attempt to make explicit your program’s connection with theory so that it can be reviewed by others. While concepts maps provide a visual representation of how you will approach your capstone project in the context of a specified theoretical framework, logic models provide a graphic depiction that presents the shared relationships among the resources, activities, outcomes, and outcomes/impacts of your capstone project’s identified need, problem, or issue.  Problem Tree and Root Cause Analyses can help you with your capstone project by identifying how to approach a recognized problem, need, or issue.  Finally, a SWOT analysis can be used to evaluate your capstone project by considering multiple internal and external factors that can facilitate effective program development while minimizing risks.

Glynn has continued to meet with their mentor, capstone instructor(s), the institution’s statistician, and librarians.

The guiding theory for Glynn’s research-based capstone project is the Diffusion of Innovations.  After performing a literature search to specifically gain more information about this theory, Glynn created the following:

Appendix 7.E:   Sample SWOT Analysis for a Hospital

Optimizing Your Capstone Experience: A Guidebook for Allied Health Professionals Copyright © 2023 by Virginia E. Koenig is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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Featured Capstone Project: Visioning & Strategic Planning for Nonprofits

Posted in News Story

As part of the Nonprofit Management Executive Certificate Program, participants complete a capstone management project that addresses a major organizational issue or need in their work. Projects focus on a range of important topics including: creating new onboarding processes for board or staff, diversifying fundraising plans, improving long-term impact evaluation, and leading organizational change, among many others . The Center for Public and Nonprofit Leadership sat down with Chris Biggs, a participant from the Summer 2023 cohort and current Director of Global Partnerships at Salesforce, to discuss his capstone project that focused on creating a template to help nonprofits develop their organizational vision and strategic plan.

Why did you decide to focus on vision and strategic planning as your capstone project topic?

I spent 11 years working as a management consultant at two large firms (Deloitte and Slalom, respectively), and I was lucky enough to deliver over a dozen strategic planning and visioning projects with customers across multiple industries. So for my capstone, I wanted to distill my knowledge into a short, easy-to-use primer on the subject. I’m also of the mind that defining your organization’s future aims—and making strategic tradeoffs as part of the strategic planning process—are among the most challenging, interesting things you can do at work. A leader may only have a handful of attempts to move their organization forward through a process like this, so when it’s time, there’s value in being prepared.

What were the most surprising or important lessons you learned as you worked on the project?

Everyone – literally everyone – approaches visioning and strategic planning differently from the next person. There are various methodologies used by futurists to prompt thinking. Strategic plans vary widely in their language, structure, and business objectives. And these products can be the result of a one-day workshop, a year-long team effort, or something in between. Given that variability, my greatest learning here was the importance of keeping things simple. If you can’t explain your process for visioning and strategic planning in the course of an elevator ride, you probably don’t have a clearly-defined process yet.

How might your capstone project be used by other nonprofit leaders?

My hope is that this document is accessible to all of the amazing nonprofit leaders out there who are thinking about embarking on a journey of visioning and strategic planning in the near future. The document is in slide format, provides examples and instructions, and takes about 5-10 minutes in total to read (by design). If you get value out of it, please share it with a friend who might be able to do the same.

To access Chris Biggs’s full Capstone Management Project click here .

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Strategic Management - Capstone Project

Copenhagen Business School via Coursera Help

• Introduction to the Capstone Project
• If you're taking this course, you've most likely completed the three earlier courses in this specialisation, Strategic Management, Strategy Formulation, and Strategy Implementation. In this module you'll find out what happened at e-Types, the case we've used throughout the specialization to illustrate strategy concepts, and also apply the concepts to an entirely new context. You'll get to choose among several cases for your final project and this specialization, as we describe in greater detail in what follows.
• Capstone Project Description
• For your final project in this course, we provide you with options: Four cases, which you can read about and choose among. These cases range from large to small companies, across geographies, and span manufacturing and service businesses. Consistent with our overall theme in this specialization, all these cases about companies that compete based on innovation. For one of these -- only one -- you will create a concise recommendation of a strategy and implementation plan. To do this well, you will need to summon ideas appropriately from the earlier three courses in the specialization.
• Milestone I - Formulating Strategy
• Here's a chance to share your work and ideas regarding the strategic formulation part of your chosen project assignment. This is an optional peer reviewed assignment and it will not count towards the final grade, but however serves as a great opportunity to better your project before handing in the final piece.
• Milestone II - Implementation Strategy
• In this module, as in the previous (3), you may share your work and ideas on part of the capstone project. Share work and ideas from you project related to areas within strategy implementation and get feedback from peers before handing in the final version of you project. Remember, this assignment is optional and wont count points towards the certificate, however its serves as great opportunity to recieve feedback that can help to improve your final project.
• Use this week module to finish up your assignment prepare to hand it in. Look into the courses on Strategic Management, Strategy Formulation and Strategy Implementation again to assure that you understand and apply concepts and theories correctly.
• Capstone Project Final Submission
• In this final module you are to hand in your final capstone assignment for peer-reveiw. Good luck!
• OPTIONAL - Hand in a second project
• Want gain more experience? Then feel free to hand in a second project for peer review. In this optional module you have the opportunity of putting your new earned skills to another test. Same procedure as the the project submission.

Robert Austin, Marcus Møller Larsen and Nicolai Pogrebnyakov

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Business Capstone Projects: Format & Examples

• November 14, 2023 February 10, 2024
• What You Should Know
• Capstone Projects Ideas
• Writing a Capstone Project Proposal
• Defending a Capstone Project
• High School Seniors Capstones
• Business Capstone Projects
• Nursing Capstone Projects
• Capstone Project Internship Option
• Senior Design Capstone Projects
• MBA Capstone Project Proposal
• Sports Management Capstone Project

Key Characteristics

• Integration of Business Concepts: The project typically requires students to synthesize knowledge gained from various business disciplines such as finance, marketing, management, operations, and strategy.
• Real-World Application: Business capstone projects often involve addressing real-world business challenges or opportunities. Students may work with actual companies, analyze case studies, or propose solutions to current business issues.
• Interdisciplinary Approach: Capstone projects may encourage an interdisciplinary approach, allowing students to draw upon insights from multiple business areas to propose holistic solutions.
• Research and Analysis: Students are expected to conduct thorough research, gather relevant data, and analyze information to support their recommendations or findings.
• Strategic Decision-Making: Many business capstone projects focus on strategic decision-making. This involves proposing strategic initiatives, business plans, or operational improvements.
• Presentation and Communication Skills: Students are often required to present their findings and recommendations to a panel of faculty members, industry professionals, or both. This enhances their ability to communicate complex business ideas effectively.
• Team Collaboration: Some capstone projects are collaborative, requiring students to work in teams. This mirrors the teamwork often required in professional business settings.
• Professional Development: Capstone projects may contribute to students’ professional development by exposing them to the complexities of the business world and requiring them to think critically about business challenges.

The specific nature and requirements of a business capstone project can vary between educational institutions and degree programs. However, the overarching goal is to provide students with a practical and meaningful experience that prepares them for the challenges and complexities of the business world.

Business Capstone Project Format

• Title Page:  Includes the title of the capstone project, student’s name, academic institution, department, date of submission, and any other required details.
• Executive Summary:  Provides a concise overview of the entire capstone project, summarizing key objectives, methods, findings, and recommendations.
• Table of Contents:  Lists the main sections, subsections, and corresponding page numbers to facilitate easy navigation.
• Introduces the business problem or opportunity addressed by the project.
• States the purpose, significance, and objectives of the capstone project.
• Summarizes relevant literature related to the business problem or opportunity, incorporating academic and industry sources.
• Highlights existing theories, research findings, and industry best practices.
• Highlights gaps in current knowledge and sets the theoretical foundation for the project.
• Describes the research design, data collection methods, and any analytical tools or techniques used i.e. SWOT , PESTLE , porter’s five forces .
• Discusses the sample population, sampling methods, and ethical considerations.
• Presents the findings of the data analysis or the outcomes of project implementation.
• Includes tables, charts, graphs, or other visual aids
• Interprets the significance of the findings in the context of the literature review and theoretical framework.
• Discusses implications, limitations, and potential areas for future research.
• Addresses any limitations of the study and suggests areas for future research or business strategy.
• Summarizes the key findings and their implications.
• Restates the project’s objectives and how they were achieved.
• Offers final thoughts on the business problem or opportunity.
• Provides actionable recommendations based on the research findings.
• Offers strategic suggestions for addressing the business challenge or maximizing the identified opportunity.
• May include opportunities for further research.
• If applicable, outlines a detailed plan for implementing the proposed recommendations.
• Considers timelines, resource requirements, and potential challenges.
• References:  Lists all sources cited in the capstone project following a specific citation style (e.g., APA, MLA).
• Appendices: Includes additional materials, such as surveys, interview transcripts, financial statements, or any supplementary information that supports the project.

It’s essential to adhere to any specific formatting guidelines provided by the educational institution or program. Additionally, the content and structure of a business capstone project may be influenced by the nature of the project (e.g., case analysis , strategic plan, research study) and the academic level (undergraduate or graduate).

Business Capstone Projects Examples

• Supply Chain Optimization: Analyzing and optimizing the supply chain processes of a company to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and improve overall logistics.
• E-commerce Strategy Development: Creating a strategic plan for a traditional brick-and-mortar business to transition into e-commerce, considering online marketing, website development, and digital customer experience.
• Employee Engagement Program: Designing and implementing an employee engagement program to improve workplace satisfaction, productivity, and retention.
• Sustainable Business Practices: Developing a sustainability strategy for a business, incorporating environmentally friendly practices, ethical sourcing, and social responsibility.
• Data Analytics Implementation: Proposing and implementing a data analytics strategy to extract meaningful insights from business data, aiding in decision-making and performance improvement.
• Brand Revitalization Campaign: Creating a comprehensive plan to revitalize a struggling brand, including rebranding, marketing strategies, and customer engagement initiatives.
• Risk Management Framework: Developing a risk management framework for a business, identifying potential risks, and providing strategies to mitigate and manage these risks effectively.
• Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Implementation: Implementing a CRM system for a company to enhance customer relationships, streamline communication, and improve customer satisfaction.
• International Marketing Plan: Creating an international marketing plan for a product or service, considering cultural nuances, market trends, and global competition.
• Corporate Diversity and Inclusion Program: Designing and implementing a diversity and inclusion program to foster an inclusive workplace culture, attract diverse talent, and promote equity within the organization.
• Strategic Business Plan: Developing a comprehensive business plan for a startup or an existing business, addressing aspects such as market analysis, financial projections, and operational strategies.
• Market Entry Strategy: Analyzing and proposing a market entry strategy for a company looking to expand into a new geographic area or target demographic.
• Operational Efficiency Improvement: Identifying inefficiencies in a company’s operations and proposing strategies for improvement in areas such as supply chain management, production processes, or customer service.
• Financial Analysis and Investment Recommendation: Conducting a thorough financial analysis of a company and providing investment recommendations based on factors such as financial performance, industry trends, and risk assessment.
• Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Initiative: Designing and proposing a CSR initiative for a company, taking into consideration ethical considerations and social impact.
• Product Launch Strategy: Developing a strategic plan for the launch of a new product, including market positioning, pricing strategy, and promotional activities.
• Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) Analysis: Analyzing the potential benefits and risks of a merger or acquisition and providing recommendations on whether to proceed.
• Digital Transformation Plan: Proposing a digital transformation plan for a traditional business to enhance its technological capabilities and competitiveness in the digital era.
• International Business Expansion: Developing a plan for expanding a business internationally, considering factors such as cultural differences, regulatory requirements, and market potential.
• Entrepreneurial Venture Proposal: Creating a comprehensive proposal for a new entrepreneurial venture, including a detailed business model, financial projections, and growth strategies.
• Franchise Expansion Strategy: Developing a strategic plan for a successful business to expand through franchising, including market analysis, franchisee selection criteria, and operational guidelines.
• Economic Impact Assessment: Conducting an economic impact assessment for a proposed business development project, considering factors such as job creation, community benefits, and potential challenges.
• Blockchain Integration for Business: Proposing and implementing a strategy for integrating blockchain technology into business processes, enhancing security, transparency, and efficiency.
• Strategic Human Resources Management: Designing and implementing a strategic human resources plan to attract, develop, and retain talent in alignment with the company’s overall objectives.
• Customer Loyalty Program Design: Creating a customer loyalty program to increase customer retention, improve brand loyalty, and drive repeat business.
• Digital Marketing Campaign Analysis: Conducting a comprehensive analysis of a company’s past digital marketing campaigns, identifying strengths and weaknesses, and proposing strategies for improvement.
• Global Risk Assessment: Evaluating the global business environment to assess potential geopolitical, economic, and regulatory risks, and proposing risk mitigation strategies for international operations.
• Smart Technology Integration: Developing a plan for integrating smart technologies (IoT, AI, etc.) into business operations to improve efficiency, innovation, and competitiveness.
• Strategic Partnership Development: Identifying and evaluating potential strategic partnerships for a business, including collaborations, joint ventures, or alliances to drive growth and mutual benefits.
• Corporate Crisis Management Plan: Creating a crisis management plan for a business, outlining communication strategies, risk mitigation protocols, and recovery plans in response to unforeseen events.

In conclusion, the key to success in a business capstone project is a combination of strategic thinking, thorough research, effective collaboration, and clear communication. Success is achieved by addressing real-world business challenges, proposing innovative solutions, and demonstrating a deep understanding of business concepts.