MBA

(Materials Management)
PROJECT WORK

GUIDELINES FOR
STUDENTS

INDIAN INSTITUTE OF MATERIALS MANAGEMENT

N H Q EDUCATION WING
Plot No 102 & 104, Sector 15, Institutional Area,
CBD, Belapur, Navi Mumbai - 400 614
Phone : 022-27565741 Fax : 022-27565592
E-mail : [email protected]
In Association with

MADHYA PRADESH BHOJ (OPEN) UNIVERSITY

Redcros Bhawan, Shivaji Nagar, Bhopal-462016
Phone: 91-0755-2576555, 25272018,
Fax: 91-0755-2550606
e-mail: [email protected]
MBA in Materials Management

PROJECT WORK
GUIDELINES FOR STUDENTS
Students are required to take up project work for the successful completion of the MBA in
Materials Management course, during the third year of the course.

Students are required to take up project work for the successful completion of the MBA in
Materials Management course, during the third year of the course.

1.1 WHAT IS A RESEARCH PROJECT ?

It is an intensive study on a topic. It explores the subject in depth and elucidates information
about the problem in-vestigated, the methods used to solve the problem, the results of the
investigation and the conclusions inferred and a set of recommendations that can be
implemented. Research can be descriptive or explanatory. In a descriptive study we study the
existing systems/ prevailing conditions of the topic under Research. In exploratory study we
explore the area of study, by introducing new augments to the existing system and draw
inferences and projections.

1.2 WHAT CAN BE STUDIED IN A PROJECT ?

The project taken for study can be related to a particular organisation, it can be comparison
study of many organisations, or related to many organisations. All projects must be related to
the Area of Materials management either directly or indirectly. A project should preferably be
conducted in the organisation where the student is employed.

1.3 SUGGESTED AREAS OF STUDY :

The list in Appendix I is illustrative.

1.4 Before embarking on the Project study., the student should identify the problem he intends
to study and know the subject under study. He can facilitate this by reading material on the
intended study.

1.5 Do you have access to the materials, data, references for the study ? A review of the
Literature i.e., the studies done so far, the topics studied, will give a comprehensive view to the
student as to which area of study is found wanting or there is a lacuna. This enables a student to
select the area of study that is most recent, and has most application value. This information can
be acquired by reading periodicals and recent publications in materials management.

1.6 Is a guide available to you ? Is the guide adept and well versed with the area of research you
want to undertake? The student has to take the necessary permission from the current employer
if he intends to conduct the study in the organisation he is working.

2.0 SCOPE OF THE STUDY

How valuable is the study to be done by you? Does it have applicational value ? Can it be used
for improvement by the organisation in the field of materials management ? The study should
highlight in application in day to day functioning or in a specific area of materials management.
2.1 The data collected could be primary i.e., gathered by your own observation, or it may be
secondary i.e taken from the records of the organisation where the research is being undertaken
like balance’sheets, control figures, performance reports, sales reports.

2.2 Students must ensure that the project undertaken must be an original study.

3.0 SELECTION OF GUIDE

A project report must be conducted with the guidance of the Project Guide. A guide has to be
competent person possessing vast experience and knowledge in …………
………………………………
…………………………………………………………… ?

Diagram

the field of research the student intends to study. The guide can even suggest to a student any
relevant area for research. He/She should preferably be a senior member of the organisation,
where the student is employed.

3.1 This set of guidelines for the project work is also given to the guide to ensure that the student
abides by the format or project structure laid down by the Institution.

3.2 A Certificate from the guide should be submitted along with the Project Work. (See
Appendix II)

SYNOPSIS
Before embarking on the actual study, it is necessary to submit a synopsis of the intended work,
for the approval of branch chairman and chief coordinator MBA (MM). The synopsis will be
returned to the student after approval. The synopsis should mention the name and address of
the guide. The synopsis should be brief- Not more than 2 to 3 pages. Synopsis must be submitted
in a structured format indicated below:
APPENDIX II
CERTIFICATE FROM THE GUIDE

This is to certify that the Project work

titled .................................. ...................................................................................................... is a

bonafide work carried out

by ....................................................... .......................................................................................................

............................................... Roll No .......................................... A candidate for MBA in Materials

management course of the IIMM and Madhya Pradesh (Bhoj) Open University under my

guidance and direction.

SIGNATURE OF GUIDE

NAME :

DESIGNATION :

ADDRESS :

DATE :

PLACE :
APPENDIX I ILLUSTRATIVE LIST OF TOPICS FOR PROJECT WORK
1) Scrap Management
2) Lead time analysis
3) Stores Layout and planning/management.
4) ISO 9000 in MM
5) Quality Control/TQM
6) Inventory control systems
7) Purchase procedures & systems/policies
8) Vendor rating
9) Spare parts mgmt.
10) Cost control/reduction
11) Planning and procurement of raw materials
12) Wastage control
13) Material handling equipment
14) Despatch of finished goods.
15) Transportation systems
16) Systems integration and Logistics
17) Codification and computerisation in MRP Inventory.
18) Material requirement planning
19) Vendor development
20) Waste disposal
21) Ancillary development
22) Safety evaluation for material loss
23) Sub - contracting systems
24) Computer applications systems
25) Value Analysis
26) Value Engg.
27) Preservation procedures
28) Import/Export systems
29) MRP-II
30) Claims Mgmt
31) Warehouse planning
32) Inspection Techniques and MM
33) Indenting systems
34) Accounting systems in stock control
35) Budgetary impact on MM
36) Storage and preservation procedure
37) Make or buy decision
38) Clearance of Imported cargo
39) Project buying
40) Stock control
41) Store keeping
42) Source development
43) Strategic alliances in purchasing
44) Buyer-Seller relations
45) Green buying practices in MM
46) Ethical practices in MM
47) Recycling of materials
48) Conservation of materials
49) Management of hazardous materials.
50) Environmental management in stores
51) Selection of right packaging material
52) Bio-degradable Packaging
53) Storage and handling of perishable materi
54) Packaging for export.
SYNOPSIS
Before embarking on the actual study, it is necessary to submit a synopsis of the intended work,
for the approval of branch chairman and chief coordinator MBA (MM). The synopsis will be
returned to the student after approval. The synopsis should mention the name and address of
the guide. The synopsis should be brief- Not more than 2 to 3 pages. Synopsis must be submitted
in a structured format indicated below:

ITEM PARTICULARS Remarks

Name of Student

Roll no of student

Address for
correspondence
Telephone
E-mail

Name of Guide
Designation
Address

Proposed title of project

Problem under study

Scope

Brief background

Methodology

Conclusion /
recommendations

Approved/Not approved

Comments/Suggestions
9. COPIES TO BE SUBMITTED
The candidate is required to submit (2) copies of the report to the branch/study centre, these
copies will be retained by the institute.

10. VALUATION OF PROJECT & VIVA VOCE :

The submitted project report will be sent for evaluation. The project report will be evaluated on
the following criteria.

CRITERIA MAX. MARKS

1. Clarity of objectives scope and coverage 15

2. Study methodology for data collection 30

3. Analysis of data, tools and techniques 45

4. Understanding of the subject and

conceptualisation of the Key areas. 30

5. Innovative techniques/approach to
problem scheme 30

6. Conclusions drawn 45

7. Recommendations, usefulness
implementation scheme 30

8. Linking of recommendations to the objectives 30

9. Report writing and presentation 45

300
If the project report is approved by the evaluator, the candidate will be eligible to appear for the
viva voce exam, to the support the project work conducted by him, at the branch the student is
attached. In case of a student’s project being not approved, he is not eligible to take up the viva-
voce. The student then has to rewrite the project based on the remarks of the evaluator. The
project can be disapproved on the basis of it not being a original study i.e. if it
3) Abstract of the study. It should not exceed 500 words.

4) Table of contents, chapter wise with the appropriate page numbers.

5) Actual project content following the given format.

6) Bibliography - It is important for students to list the Booksof reference. It should follow
the order - Author’s name, Title of the Book or Journal, Pg. Nos. and Year of
publishing.

8. PHYSICAL FORMAT
a) The front cover should contain the following details.
TOP: The Title of the report in block capitals, properly centered. CENTRE: Full name of
the candidate in Block with Roll No. BOTTOM: Name of the Institute, Year of
Submission.

b) BLANK SHEETS - At the beginning and the end of the report two blank sheets of paper
shall be provided one for the purpose of binding and another to be left blank.

c) TITLE SHEET - The title shall be the first typed sheet and shall follow immediately after
the blank sheet.

d) PAPER - The report shall be typed on white quarto bond paper.

e) TYPING - The typing shall be in standard letter size, one and a half or double spaced on
one side of the paper only, using black ribbon and black carbons.

f) MARGIN - The typed sheet shall have the following margins:left 35mm, Top 35mm,
Right 20mm, Bottom 20mm:

g) PAGE NUMBER - Shall be in Roman Numbers at 15 mm from the bottom of the page
centrally located. h) BINDING - The report shall be rexine bound in black.
4.2 WHAT IS A SYNOPSIS ?
A synopsis is an outline of what the intending research is all about and the general plan of
action. It serves as a guidelines for the ensuing research. It should contain the following
elements.

a) The Problem under study : It is important to identify the problem you intend to study and
where the study will be conducted.

How precise is the problem ? eg. If X then Y. It should not be vague and ambiguous or too
narrow so as to reduce the scope of the study. eg. If a student wants to conduct a study on the
purchase of envelopes in his company, this topic is a very narrow subject and hence cannot be
studied for project work. The problem should be broad enough to elicit useful information.

b) Scope of the Study: Is it an original research? What application value does the study forecast ?
Why Is the study being done? It should not be a repetitive study. Can another investigator
replicate the research by following the project report ?

C) Scope should indicate the broad area taken up for study or investigation and indicate limits
within which the study is being conducted.

d) Methodology: How and where will the study be conducted? Where will the data for the study
be collected? Is it primary or secondary? What type of analysis is being done on the data
gathered? Is it qualitative or quantitative? Qualitative analysis is done on data collected from
marketing research, product development etc. It mainly consists of subjective inputs and rarely
uses precise numerical description. In Quantitative analysis the data gathered is quantified in
terms of numericals or figures and suitable statistical analysis is done. Quantified data is more
reliable and precise than qualified data.

e) Conclusions and Recommendations : What conclusions can be expected from the study? What
recommendations can be made to improve the working in the area of the project study?
5.0 CONDUCTING THE STUDY
After the necessary approval of the synopsis the student has to embark on the actual study. If
the data is of primary nature, then the data collection should be the prime concern. Students
should ensure that data collection be done at the earliest and the necessary statistical analysis
done if the student intends to quantify the gathered data.

It is important that the student keep the guide informed about the progress at each stage of the
project. Each chapter completed by

the student should be given to the guide for approval before a final draft is made. Likewise all
the chapters of the project need to be scrutinised by the guide. Student may have to write and
rewrite the specific chapters before a final draft is generated.

5.1 STRUCTURE OF THE PROJECT REPORT

A) INTRODUCTION - to the topic under study, eg if it is a study on Inventory Control practices,
an introduction as to what is Inventory Control and its practices, and other in-formation should
be given.

B) BACKGROUND - A brief background about the company/ organisation under study, like
Name, Location etc. and also relevant details like organisation structure, existing systems
related to the particular subject under study. And a brief write up of the problem you want to
study in that organisation.

C) METHODOLOGY - forms the crux of the report. It should include the following
information :

1) Problem - the main objectives of the study, the scope which indicates the usefulness of
the project, how applicable it is, and how it can be used by the organisation for
improved performance.

2) Review of Literature indicating the research done so far with regard to the particular
subject.

3) The relevant data gathered should be presented in the form of tables, graphs, flow
charts etc.
4) Detailed discussion about the present practices related to the subject. If new
practices/augments have been in-troduced, a discussion of the same may be done.

5) Analysis of the data collected or the effect of the new practices on the existing one.

D) CONCLUSIONS & RECOMMENDATIONS - based on the study done, what

conclusions/inferences can be drawn. Recommendations are based on the conclusions of the
study. It is important to indicate that a set of recommendations should follow from the
conclusions inferred. The recommendations should have value to the organisation. If possible
quantify the benefits that can be gained from following the recom-mendations. Indications as to
what other techniques can be applied to improve the systems viz. Cost saving techniques,
precautions.

E) LIMITATIONS of the study if any, should be highlighted.

6. IMPORTANT GUIDELINES FOR WRITING THE PROJECT

1) Students should use simple and good English while writing the report. Avoid
grammatical errors.

2) The problem and objectives should be specific and clearly stated. Avoid ambiguity.

3) No aspects of the structure of the report should be omitted.

4) Important to include Bibliography, List of tables, Certificate from guide and

acknowledgments.

5) The report should be, in about 60-70 pages.

7. OTHER DETAILS TO BE CONTAINED IN THE REPORT

1) Acknowledgment - to all those who have helped the student complete the project.

2) Certificate from the guide. (See appendix II)