1. Project Based Research
Process, Policies, Rules, etc.

2. Team Calendars
Each team will fill out a calendar indicating the class schedules for the team members (i.e., an integrated class schedule for the team)
Integrated class schedules will aid in determining the weekly meeting times, and in making appointments for project team purposes
Professor will accompany group to on-site meeting at least for the first meeting and maybe subsequent meetings depending on industry entity needs/wants
Teams are expected to meet with Professor when needed or at an alternative time based on class meetings time and team’s progress
Web tools such as Google, etc. can be used to coordinate schedules

3. Team Member Roles
Team members individually & collectively responsible for success
Team succeeds together or the team fails together
Failure means that the students did not take advantage of the project and the industry entity as a learning experience
Most likely means that the sponsor doesn’t get required deliverables
Success is learning and practicing “real-world” Supply Chain Management skills and the project has met the sponsors’ needs
Scope, defining deliverables, setting expectations are very critical

4. Professor Feedback
Professor is responsibility to read all of your reports and give you meaningful feedback
Submit reports to Professor in time for feedback
Industry entity is responsible for providing an independent review of your reports and providing input on final team grade
Report submission dates are tentative for now but derived from a combination of industry entity needs and Spring course calendar (e.g., initial report before Spring Break, Final Report before graduation)

5. Rules of Thumb for Meetings
Members of the student team will lead the meetings with the Professor
Rotate the responsibility of leading the meetings
Rotation allows Professor to evaluate who is participating
Remember, these are your meeting, your agenda, and your responsibility
It is a given to be on time, be professional, and be prepared
Use your time wisely
Take proper steps and have proper organizational tools to handle the large amounts of documents, files and information that will accumulate during your project
Required Project Dossier at each meeting

6. Project Dossier
For final deliverable for class 3 ring binder containing documents
Digital depository such as Google docs can be used
However, for final grading I need all documents organized in a physical 3 ring binder – I will provide the binder
WHY?
I need documentation in hard copy form of the correspondence you had (major s only), draft reports, diagrams, notes, etc. for grading purposes
It may seem like overkill but it will also make your final report preparation soooooo much easier (e.g., think Engineers carry black and white lab notebook but we are not Engineers….)

7. On-Site Trips to Industry Entity
Several trips to your company throughout the semester will be taken
You are an ambassador of the Department of Marketing & Supply Chain Management, the COB program, & the University – always remember this
Each visit is a new opportunity to make a (first and) lasting impression
Each plant trip requires valuable time and resources for all involved
Get the most out of your trips in terms of information, understanding, documentation, etc.
Sometimes you must listen more than talk
At times you must seek input from people that may not seem like someone you need to speak to (e.g., line workers or stockers or registration desk employee)

8. On-Site Trips to Industry Entity
Attire is business casual
Shoes: comfortable, closed toes, NO HIGH HEELS!! NO TENNIS SHOES!!
Prep by doing research on the sponsor – e.g., Background Report
Prep a set of questions for the first meeting
Prep maps/directions to your location
Leave early and BE ON TIME
Punctuality is an expected in any business environment especially for us
On any tour, stay very close to the person giving the tour.
Make sure you can hear and understand

9. On-Site Trips to Industry Entity
Take a lot of photos, video, etc., if permitted, ask for permission
Think of your needs for your presentations and reports
Investigate how your project affects the profitability/objective of the entity
Think about questions/contacts for cost accounting to support your economic analysis
Establish how you will communicate with the entity and vise versa
Make sure your s, phone calls, etc. are acknowledged and that you do the same – hence the communications lead for your group

10. On-Site Trips to Industry Entity
Determine a time slot for a conference call with your entity for a status report
Conference should be scheduled whenever needed but most likely once a week
Write everything down - take the project seriously
Do not rely on your “excellent” memory
Be courteous/respectful to everyone you meet, from CEO to line workers
After meeting/call, compile a listing of all pertinent information recorded, DO IT IMMEDIATELY – hence the secretary’s job