Students work in teams of five on project questions in the area of strategy and organization. Industry partners such as multinational corporations or hidden champions as well as research institutions provide the project questions.The industry partners are often in the process of currently working on the topic they suggest. Hence, they are interested in the students’ research results and potential solutions. They provide relevant information regarding the project and give feedback on the students´ work. 

The project starts with a kick-off day. Our industry partners present their question and their company. Based on the available information the students plan their approach and create a project plan. Every team has to work empirically. Typical methods are:

• Interviews with employees or experts
• Survey based on a questionnaire
• Secondary data analysis
• Benchmark analysis
• Structured literature review

First results are presented during the interim presentation. The industry partners’ feedback allows the student teams to further improve or adapt their approach. The end-results are presented during the final presentation. The direct contact to industry partners allows for deep insights into the applied work field of strategy and organization as well as to build a network for future job opportunities.

The course has a pronounced focus on applied knowledge. The students have to build on the theories and concepts provided by the first four courses of the SBWL “Strategy and Organization” and apply them to the specific questions and problems of their industry “clients”.

After completing this course students will have the ability to: 

• Plan, execute, and present projects on strategic or organizational topics to industry partners
• Apply different research methods to gather information
• Analyze collected data and develop solutions to practical questions
• Manage their time, responsibility and manpower in a team of five students

Apart from that, completing this course will contribute to students' ability to:

• Efficiently work and communicate in a team
• Translate their knowledge to practical problems
• Structure and work collaboratively on a longer project
• Improve their oral and written communication and presentation skills

The focus of the evaluation is the value added for the students’ industry partner.

• 5% meeting with the project partners at the Kick-Off event and signing the non-disclosure agreement (NDA)
• 15% project plan (presentation slides)
• 40% interim presentation
• 40% final presentation