Becoming a Client is easy...

Really, it is easy.

 First, draft a brief description for each project you would like to propose (see the Sample Project Description on the next page).  Then, e-mail the description to Steven Burton by Friday, April 18, 2008, at steven.burton@mccombs.utexas.edu  There is a possibility that more project opportunities will be submitted than there are student teams, so we encourage early submissions to maximize the likelihood of being matched with a team.  You will be notified by Friday, May 16, regarding the status of your project(s).

The sample project description on the next page includes all the required information to submit a project.  To maximize the benefit from the project, please observe the following guidelines.

1. Project should be part of a very specific, tangible, immediate, and relevant business issue your
   organization is facing
2. Project scope should be feasible for a team of 4-7 MBAs to complete within 80-90 hours (equivalent to two work weeks worth of effort) across eight weeks during the summer session
3. Final deliverables, and the audience for the final presentation, should be identified in the project description
4. Commitment is needed from a contact within your organization who is closest to the business issue to:  

5. a. Refine the scope of the project with the team prior to the eight-week project period
   b. Provide access to information and resources as necessary
   c. Spend 3-6 hours working with the team during the eight-week period d. Schedule the final presentation for Friday, August 22 (or earlier), and invite key members of your organization to attend
   e. Respond to a post-project feedback survey shortly after the project’s conclusion

What type of projects are MBA teams more likely to select?

Because your project will compete for the MBAs’ attention with other projects, prepare your project proposal

with the MBAs’ interests in mind.  Contact Steven if you would like some help with this.

An MBA team is more likely to select a project that:

Has a clearly-defined scope which is manageable within 80-90 hours across eight weeks

Has clear needs, expectations, and goals related to a current business issue

Allows MBAs to apply advanced business skills to a real-world problem

Provides a sense of legitimate business value the effort may have on the client’s organization

Clearly indicates the availability of your project contact to support the MBA team

Creates networking opportunities within your organization and/or with your clients

What commitments (time, resources, and expenses) are involved with an ENHANCE Project?

• Time:  Prior to the project, you will need to spend 2-4 hours with the team, clarifying and planning the project.  During the eight-week project period, plan on at least 3-6 hours for briefings and discussions.  For example, you could have a kickoff meeting, mid-project Q&A, and a presentation for the final project results

• Resources:  Each client will assign at least one main contact to work directly with the MBA team. This contact should be able to: ¾ Review and negotiate the scope of the project with the team in advance of the ENHANCE Project ¾ Facilitate access to the necessary resources, materials, and data, both before and during the project ¾ Interact with the team during the eight-week project period for 3-6 hours

• Expenses: There is no fee for an MBA ENHANCE project team to work with your organization.  Likewise, projects should be designed to minimize costs to your organization.  If a project requires expenditures, your organization should arrange to cover those expenses with the team.

Next Steps

 Proposal form

You will be notified and introduced if an MBA team selects your project.  They will arrange for a mutually convenient project launch meeting.

We hope you will join us to connect UT’s Working Professional MBAs with opportunities at your company.  If you have any questions, comments, or ideas, contact Steven Burton at steven.burton@mccombs.utexas.edu, or 512-232-3788.

See Sample Product Description