Capstone Proposal

• Details
• Attempt 1Available
• Attempt 2NotAvailable
• Attempt 3NotAvailable

Overview

Develop a 2–3-page proposal for your capstone project, including a description of outcome demonstration, identification of data sources, an outline, and a timeline.Note: Developing a capstone project requires specific steps that need to be executed in a sequence. The assessments in this course are presented in sequence and must be completed in order.SHOW LESSThe second step in completing the capstone project is the development of a capstone proposal. Now that you have identified a viable topic, it is time to flesh your ideas out further by completing a detailed proposal that will facilitate the completion of your capstone course and help you make timely progress toward your degree completion.By successfully completing this assessment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the following course competencies and assessment criteria:

• Competency 1: Apply foundational knowledge and an understanding of business systems, processes, and technology within and across core disciplines.
  • Develop a capstone project proposal based on innovative, strategic, and sustainable business approaches that summarizes how the achievement of program outcomes will be demonstrated.
• Competency 2: Integrate information across disciplines and from differing perspectives.
  • Develop a detailed capstone proposal including a target organization, nature, and rationale for the project.
• Competency 4: Apply innovative, strategic, and sustainable approaches to business practice and planning.
  • Develop a timeline for a capstone project plan; consider any tasks that form a significant part of the work.
• Competency 5: Lead and collaborate in virtual, global, and culturally diverse environments.
  • Consider how technology, diversity, and a global environment may affect business approaches.
• Competency 6: Integrate principles of ethics and integrity into business decisions.
  • Consider the impact ethical principles may have on decision-making throughout the project.
• Competency 7: Communicate clearly and effectively in a business environment.
  • Communicate in a manner that is professional and consistent with expectations for members of the business profession.

Competency Map

CHECK YOUR PROGRESSUse this online tool to track your performance and progress through your course.

Context

Often, we think of a proposal as being a way to seek approval. Certainly this is the most common use of a proposal; however, a proposal such as the one in this course is also helpful in allowing you to think through your project in more detail, to organize your thoughts, and to make a detailed plan for the rest of your project.The proposal should be written as an official business document. It will allow you to demonstrate your ability to communicate effectively, while also laying a detailed foundation for the completion of your capstone project.SHOW LESS

Capstone Project Planning

Following is what you can expect as you move through the rest of the course:

1. You will prepare a proposal for the capstone project that demonstrates your achievement of program outcomes.
2. You will identify and plan the project, giving yourself enough time to execute the project and enhance the likelihood of success in the capstone course (approximately 6–8 weeks).
3. You will receive feedback on your prospectus that will reflect on the appropriateness of your project in demonstrating your program outcomes and the feasibility of the project.
4. You must allot ample time. To successfully complete your proposal be sure to devote the required time needed to complete activities such as exploring potential organizations, reviewing the literature, and drafting your proposal and presentation.

Questions to Consider

To deepen your understanding, you are encouraged to consider the questions below and discuss them with a fellow learner, a work associate, an interested friend, or a member of the business community.

• Does my chosen business lend itself to showcasing all seven MBA program outcomes?
  • Consider each outcome and how you will demonstrate it in some way. For example, if you chose a business that is not global, consider how you might be able to demonstrate some aspect of that competency.
• What types of academic and business resources, outside of internal company documents, can I use to support my work?
  • Be prepared to support your work with citations from business and scholarly literature.

Resources

Suggested Resources

The following optional resources are provided to support you in completing the assessment or to provide a helpful context. For additional resources, refer to the Research Resources and Supplemental Resources in the left navigation menu of your courseroom.

Capella Resources

Click the links provided to view the following resources:

• Outlines.

Course Library Guide

A Capella University library guide has been created specifically for your use in this course. You are encouraged to refer to the resources in the MBA-FP6900 – Capstone Library Guide to help direct your research.

Assessment Instructions

After approval of your prospectus, the next step is to develop a more detailed capstone proposal. Below is an outline that you may adapt to prepare your proposal. It shows the required sections for your project.I. Introduction – In this section, identify the organization and whether you have access to it directly. Describe the exact nature of the project you propose to do and why you want to do this particular project. This should go beyond the brief information that you provided in your prospectus and provide the following:

1. Target organization.
2. Nature of the project.
3. Rationale for the project.

II. Outcome Demonstration – Describe how this project will allow you to demonstrate each MBA program outcome. The four section titles below refer to the outcomes that are listed in the Capstone Prospectus Template. This section should incorporate any feedback that you received on outcome demonstration in your prospectus.

• Competency 1: Apply foundational knowledge and an understanding of business systems, processes, and technology within and across core disciplines.
• Competency 2: Integrate information across disciplines and from differing perspectives.
• Competency 5: Lead and collaborate in virtual, global, and culturally diverse environments.
• Competency 6: Integrate principles of ethics and integrity into business decisions.

III. Data Sources – Identify where you will get the data needed to complete the project, whether via direct access to the organization or via published sources. Be as detailed as possible, since whether you have access to enough data to make the project feasible will be evaluated. At this stage, identify at least three specific resources and provide a written strategy for finding other sources.IV. Outline – Provide a brief, working outline of your actual project. This outline can change and grow as you work, but you need an outline to properly begin. Your outline should include an introduction and conclusion, as well as at least four subheadings in between. Refer to the Outlines document linked in the Resources to review basic outline structure.V. Projected Timeline – Provide a timeline for the project, to be completed no later than the end of MBA-FP6900. Tasks should include any preliminary activity needed for getting permissions (if needed), data gathering, data analysis, report writing, presentation preparation, and anything else that would form a significant part of the work needed to complete the project.Note that successful completion of an acceptable proposal will facilitate the completion of your capstone course and help you make timely progress toward your degree completion. Refer to the Assessment 1 and 2 Context, as well as the Course Summary, for detailed information about the capstone project as a whole.

Additional Requirements

• Written communication: Written communication is free of errors that detract from the overall message.
• APA formatting: Resources and citations are formatted according to APA (6th edition) style and formatting.
• Number of resources: Minimum of 3 resources.
• Length of paper: 2–3 typed, double-spaced pages.
• Font and font size: Times New Roman, 12 point.