Management Consulting Project – Business Report

MCD2040 Marking Guide for Management Consulting Project (MCP): Report

Section/Criteria % Fail < 50% Pass 50‐59% Credit 60‐69% Distinction 70‐79% High distinction >80%

Executive Summary: Brief background of company and current situation, purpose of report, outline of key problems, theory used to analyse them and why must be solved. Maximum one page, presented on a separate page.

10 Inadequate coverage of most areas such as background, situation, purpose and problems. *

Some of the following adequately covered: background, situation, purpose and problems.

Most issues such as background, situation, purpose and problems o u t l i n e d well.

Background, situation, purpose and problems clearly identified and summarised well.

Outstanding executive summary providing clear direction for the reader presenting an overview of all key report details.

Problem Identification: PROBLEM 1 Identification and description of ONE management problem from the case with a clear problem statement supported by integrated case evidence that is accurate, specific and appropriate. Prob 1 must be different to Prob 2.

15 Not identified or described correctly/weakly. Very weak integration of case evidence.*

Identified through some use of evidence and basic description of the problem. Evidence integration sometimes weak and/or repetitive.

Clearly identified and supported by some good integration of evidence with good description of problem.

Very good identification and description of problem, supported by accurate, specific and appropriate evidence that is integrated well.

Excellent identification and description of problem, well supported by integration of strong, accurate, specific and appropriate evidence.

Problem Analysis: PROBLEM 1 Use of relevant management theory/concepts covered in MCD2040 to analyse and explain why and how the problem has developed. Prob 1 & 2 must use different theory areas.

15 Wrong, none or little theory/concepts used and/or theory mentioned is not discussed or applied sufficiently leading to very weak analysis. *

Some relevant theory/concepts correctly used, discussed or applied enabling some analysis of problem.

Relevant theory/concepts discussed & used to clearly analyse the problem with some good application of theory.

Very good use of relevant theory/concepts in identification and analysis of the problem. A good discussion of how and why problem developed.

Excellent use of theory/concepts through using different theoretical aspects to show a deep understanding of why & how problem is occurring.

Problem Identification: PROBLEM 2 Identification and description of ONE management problem from the case with a clear problem statement supported by integrated case evidence that is accurate, specific and appropriate. Prob 1 must be different to Prob 2.

15 Not identified or described correctly/weakly. Very weak integration of case evidence. Both problems are the same or highly similar therefore invalid. *

Identified through some use of evidence and basic description of the problem. Evidence integration sometimes weak and/or repetitive.

Clearly identified and supported by some good integration of evidence with good description of problem.

Very good identification and description of problem, supported by accurate, specific and appropriate evidence that is integrated well.

Excellent identification and description of problem, well supported by integration of strong, accurate, specific and appropriate evidence.

Problem Analysis: PROBLEM 2 Use of relevant management theory/concepts covered in MCD2040 to analyse and explain why and how the problem has developed. Prob 1 & 2 must use different theory areas.

15 Wrong, none or little theory/concepts used and/or theory mentioned is not discussed or applied sufficiently leading to very weak analysis. Both problems use same theory/topic therefore invalid. *

Some relevant theory/concepts correctly used, discussed or applied enabling some analysis of problem.

Relevant theory/concepts discussed & used to clearly analyse the problem with some good application of theory.

Very good use of relevant theory/concepts in identification and analysis of the problem. A good discussion of how and why problem developed.

Excellent use of theory/concepts through using different theoretical aspects to show a deep understanding of why & how problem is occurring.

Research: Use of quality research in supporting problem analysis. Minimum (min.) requirement: at least 3 peer- reviewed articles (published after 2008) AND the textbook are used.

10 Insufficient research conducted OR selected research is not relevant. Does not meet min. requirement or unable to identify research details. Sections are plagiarised limiting research ability.

Basic level of research conducted. The research selected, used and discussed is not always relevant. Meets min. requirement.

Good use of sound and reliable research to support analysis. Meets min. requirement.

Very good research to support analysis. Meets min. requirement.

Excellent and thorough research using high quality sources to support analysis. Meets min. requirement.

Referencing: Correct use of APA 6th ed. referencing system including accurate citations and a Reference List on a separate page with only the sources that have actually been used.

10 No or inaccurate referencing and citations according to the APA 6th ed. system. MUST consult the Q Manual to attend to this. Sections are plagiarised.

Report contains several inconsistencies and errors in referencing and citations. MUST consult the Q Manual more.

Accurate citations and referencing with minor errors and/or inconsistencies.

Very good citations and referencing with very few errors and/or inconsistencies.

Excellent and accurate citation and referencing using the APA referencing system with hardly any errors.

Presentation: Quality of expression, grammar, format and layout which is appropriate for a business report. This includes: Title Page, headings/numbering, executive summary, font, spacing and page numbers. Meets word count requirement.

10 Report is poorly presented/ formatted or sections missing. Written expression grammar, spelling is poor. NOT within word count requirement.

Report is neatly formatted & presented. Not always business appropriate. Written expression, grammar, spelling adequate but with errors.

Report is formatted in a business‐like manner and clearly presented. Correct third person tense used with clear expression.

Report is formatted in a c o r r e c t business-like manner with clear presentation. Very good written expression with some minor errors.

Excellent professional presentation and formatting. Excellent written expression with hardly any errors in grammar, spelling etc.

* If sections are invalid as a result of not following Academic Integrity Policy (i.e. plagiarism, collusion or cheating such as not adequately paraphrased), will be marked as FAIL criteria.