Thesis Proposal
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Material-AppliedProjectCourseOverviewv5.1SP19_SU19.pdf
Applied Project/ MASY1-GC4100
A Capstone Option
Applied Project Course Overview Ver. 5.1
Spring 2019
Summer 2019
Applied Project Course Overview Ver. 5.12
Thank you for your interest in the Applied Project Capstone Course.
This document describes the course and the process for applying for entry into
the course. It also includes the titles of several past projects that students have
conducted. This will give you an idea of the range of projects that students have
conducted and will help you as you frame the idea for your project.
A companion document describes the Project Proposal outline that you will
need to submit to me in order to qualify for the course. I invite you to discuss
your project idea with me prior to investing the time to write your proposal.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Regards,
Professor Israel Moskowitz
Applied Project
Applied Project Course Overview Ver. 5.13
Applied Project
Important Information About Course Grades
As of the Spring 2019 Semester, this course has
now been designated a “graded course.”
This means that upon completion of all course
deliverables (assignments), and completion of
the project and the final report, students will
receive a letter grade.
(In the past this course utilized a “Pass/Fail” grading format.)
Applied Project Course Overview Ver. 5.14
Applied Project
Important Information About Completion Dates
As of the Spring 2019 Semester, this course is
now a “single semester course.”
Students are required to complete their project
within the current semester in which they
started.
(In the past, students were allowed to take an additional
semester to complete, if needed)
Applied Project Course Overview Ver. 5.15
Deadline to submit Project Proposal Outline to Course Professor
November 30, 2018
Course Begins January 29, 2019
Spring, 2019 Project Completion Deadline April 1, 2019
Applied Project
Key Dates for Spring, 2019 Semester
Applied Project Course Overview Ver. 5.16
Deadline to submit Project Proposal Outline to Course Professor
April 1, 2019
Course Begins May 28, 2019
Summer, 2019 Project Completion Deadline August 12, 2019
Applied Project
Key Dates for Summer, 2019 Semester
Applied Project Course Overview Ver. 5.17
Applied Project – A Capstone Option
A real-world project for a real-world organization yielding real-world business benefit
Opportunity to plan and implement an important project that will positively impact an organization
Practice-oriented rather than theoretical project
Applying knowledge gained in the MS program and your career
Add to your real-world experience
Learn something new
Make a difference for a small business start-up or a not-for- profit organization.
Excellent resume builder
Experience a meaningful alternative to writing a thesis and the thesis course
Applied Project Course Overview Ver. 5.18
Develop a and Propose a Project
In order to qualify for entry into this course, students must have a project proposal outline that has been approved by the course professor prior to the start of the course.
Student independently develops a project proposal in cooperation with an organization of her/his choice
You must apply for acceptance to the Applied Project course
Both the organization and the project must be accepted by the Applied Project professor
First step:
Submit a completed Applied Project Outline (refer to template)
Students are encouraged to discuss their project ideas with Prof. Moskowitz prior to creating a formal Project Outline in order to establish the suitability of their idea as an Applied Project.
Applied Project Course Overview Ver. 5.19
Applied Project – How to pass the course
1. Successfully complete all course planning deliverables and
assignments
On-time submission
Includes baseline WBS and all other deliverables
2. Successfully complete your project
Monthly status reports and updated WBS (signed)
Meet project goal, objectives, and metrics that you developed
Obtain sponsor acceptance sign-off
3. Successfully complete your Final Report
Exhibit learning something new as a result of the project
completion
Meet the published deadline for submission
Receive professor’s approval of your report
Applied Project Course Overview Ver. 5.110
Applied Project – Pre-Requisites
Applied Project Course Overview Ver. 5.111
Applied Project Course Requirements
To Qualify for Acceptance (among other criteria):
You must have successfully completed the following
courses:
MASY1-GC1260/ Research Process and Methodology
MASY1-GC1250/Project Management in the
Information Age
You must submit a completed Applied Project Outline
prior to admission to the course (template available from
Prof. Moskowitz [email protected])
Students are encouraged to discuss their project ideas with
Prof. Moskowitz prior to creating a formal Project Outline in
order to establish the suitability of their idea as an Applied
Project.
Applied Project Course Overview Ver. 5.1 13
Project Requirements What is an acceptable project? (among other criteria)
Must be approved by the Applied Project course professor
Conducted for an existing organization: can be a for-profit, not-for-profit,
charity, religious organization, etc.)
A real-world project that makes a meaningful contribution to a real-
world client organization
Provides business benefit to the client
Provides new capabilities for the client organization
Is sponsored by a management-level individual at the organization (“the
sponsor”) who will approve the project plan and status reports and
authorize necessary resources.
Sponsor must be fluent in spoken and written English. US-based
sponsors are preferred.
Includes metrics for measuring project success
Project can be based on any of the subjects studied in the program.
Minimum of 250 hours of project activity (not including meetings, travel,
etc.)
Applied Project Course Overview Ver. 5.1 14
How to Find a Suitable Project
Here are a few strategies other students have used:
Look for projects within your organization (but not in your
direct reporting line).
Often there is a backlog of projects that do not have ample
resources in order to begin.
Explain that you will be conducting a project, regardless, and “our
organization” ought to be the beneficiary of your expertise.
Contact non-profits or your affiliated religious organization
Such organizations are typically under-funded and are eager to
receive the help of an NYU grad student.
Activate your network of friends, relatives, and former
colleagues
This is an excellent and proven strategy for finding a project
Applied Project Course Overview Ver. 5.1 15
Applied Project Overview
During the course, students will:
Conduct Project Planning Activities
Develop Project Goal, Objectives, and Metrics
Create a Situational Analysis
Conduct a Literature Survey
Create a Project Charter
Develop a Baseline Work Breakdown Structure
Obtain Formal Sponsor Agreement
Once completed, the project can commence:
Conduct Project with Monthly Project Status Reports
Applied Project Final Report
Includes Sponsor Acceptance Sign-off
Receive Professor’s Approval
Applied Project Course Overview Ver. 5.116
Student Applicants
Must apply to Applied Project program
Formal application process
May include interview with course professor. Students may discuss their
project idea with the professor prior to writing the proposal.
See “How to Apply” details at the end of this presentation (page 22)
Professor reviews applications and accepts students who
(among other criteria)
Exhibit strong interest in the program’s goals
A desire to exhibit their learning in the MS program by completing a meaningful
project
A desire to help an organization where the completed project is expected to have a
strong positive impact
Students must be committed to successfully completing the project
Student represents NYU-SCPS to an external organization
Lack of commitment reflects badly on the student and NYU
Applied Project Course Overview Ver. 5.1 17
Frequently Asked Questions 1. Can I select a project with my family’s business?
No. Your project sponsor must be unbiased and a family situation cannot be.
2. Can I select a project for my current employer?
It depends. Applications will be evaluated individually. The project must be
net-new and not an existing project. It cannot be for the same business area where you work.
3. Can I select a project for my professor’s business?
No. Projects for NYU professors’ businesses cannot be approved
4. Can I select an in-progress project and just write the final paper?
No. This defeats the purpose of the capstone course. Projects should be specifically for this course.
5. I am developing a start-up business; can I select a project for the start-up business plan?
Such projects ar not accepted for the Applied Project course. Instead, consider the Entrepreneurship course.
6. I do not have any project ideas, can you assign a project to me?
This option is not offered. But we are happy to discuss with you how you can develop a project idea.
7. How do I find a suitable project idea?
See page 12 in this presentation
8. Can I begin the project prior to the start of the course?
Some aspects can be started e.g. the literature review. The remainder must meet the course requirements.
Planning should be conducted during the course and prior to project execution.
9. Why must my project be pre-approved prior to entering this course?
To ensure that projects meet the course standards and that students have a high probability
of success in completing a project and the course.
Applied Project Course Overview Ver. 5.1 18
Examples of Past Projects
Create a Technology Planning Roadmap for a Non-profit
Create a Marketing Plan for Pharma Industry Start-up
Loss Prevention-Risk Management Audit and Plan for high-end
Retailer
Create a Modern Storefront for an Antique Telephone Center
Design Intranets to address back-end operations
Develop an Online Communication and Marketing Strategy for
an Architecture Design Firm
Church Website Enhancement
Applied Project Course Overview Ver. 5.1 19
Develop a Customer Service component for an online retailer
Implement a Project Management Program Office
Designed and implement a management dashboard for a real-
estate builder
Built a database solution for a complex web-based service
Develop and implement medical records digitization and
retrieval system
Examples of Past Projects – cont’d 2
Applied Project Course Overview Ver. 5.120
Examples of Past Projects – cont’d 3
Established Balanced Scorecard Metrics for an Interest
Management Portal
Value-Added Benefits of CRM application for the modern
dental practice
Customer Service department plan for web–based suite of
Marketing Communication tools
Business Center Systems Architecture
Microsoft Office SharePoint Server Implementation
Applied Project Course Overview Ver. 5.1 21
Examples of Past Projects – cont’d 4
International Opera Alliance Website
Human Interaction Management System
Enterprise Database and Marketing Research
Company Debt Structure Website rewrite
Direct Selling Expansion
Website for Fashion Designer
Website for Learning and Research Enterprise
Special Needs Lifeline Interactive Map
Implement Agile Software Development
Applied Project Course Overview Ver. 5.1 22
Examples of Past Projects – cont’d 5
Website Redesign and Reporting Tool
Customer Service Department Plan for Web-based Suite of
Marketing Communication Tools
A Knowledge Management System for a Customer Care and
Service Organization
Database Migration and Maintenance for a Nonprofit
Organization
Enterprise Data Management for a Multimedia Conglomerate
Applied Project Course Overview Ver. 5.1 23
Examples of Past Projects – cont’d 6
Applying Traditional Business Practices to Small Nonprofits
Automating the Fieldwork Placement Process for Department
of Occupational Therapy at NYU
Automation of Processes and Systems for Business Continuity
and Growth
Applicant Tracking System for the Putnam County Personnel
Department
Search Engine Optimization for Website
...and numerous others
Applied Project Course Overview Ver. 5.1
How to Apply
Develop a project proposal with an organization of your choice Submit a completed Applied Project Outline describing the proposed
project and identify the potential sponsor.
Refer to companion document describing what to include in your proposal outline
Send all applications to Prof. Moskowitz: [email protected]
If you have any questions, contact Prof. Moskowitz by email
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