This project seminar is conducted in cooperation with Siemens AG Österreich. Siemens is a multinational company, active in the fields of energy, infrastructure, industry and healthcare, in more than 190 countries. Siemens in Austria is the regional headquarter for 18 countries in Central Eastern Europe.  

As an assignment, Siemens gives a current, real-life business topic to the students for further research. The markets in Austria and selected CEE countries will be investigated with regards to market environment, trends and potentials.  

The result shall be an evaluation of the market with regards to attractiveness for the given topic. Exemplary customers for Siemens shall be identified and strategic recommendations given for the company on how to further develop business activities.

Throughout the course, students will learn how to apply their theoretical knowledge by conducting several analyses for the company. Typically these are market analysis, industry analysis and competitor analysis of the given industry. 

After refreshing essential theoretical knowledge, students will be assigned several tasks by Siemens. Overall goals of this project seminar are the completion of the pre-assigned tasks as well as the derivation of strategic recommendations for the company.

The results will have to be presented in a mid-term and a final presentation. Also students will prepare a final report, summarising the results.

Throughout the first two sessions, both essential theoretical knowledge and necessary company-specific information will be presented. Afterwards, the class will be split in groups of 3 to 5 students, whereupon each group is assigned to several tasks. Students within these groups complete the above mentioned tasks and derive strategic recommendations for the company. Moreover, students present their results to Siemens representatives within the framework of the mid-term and final presentations and summarize all results within a final report. Throughout the whole process students meet with and report to the course instructors on a regular basis (coaching sessions).

During the course students can achieve a maximum of 100 points.

The evaluation will be based on:

• a (multiple choice and free questions) test (taking place during the second session; 20 points)
• the interim and final presentations (20 points each)
• the final report (20 points)
• an active participation within the group and during the sessions (20 Points)

Completed Course I (Foundations) and Course II (Applications).