Although typically reserved for doctorates, certain MBAs may require comprehensive research papers related to the MBAs' focuses or present macro-business elements. These projects usually require months of qualitative and quantitative research and detailed analysis. These projects are then considered as published works and valid reference materials. Some examples for a marketing focused MBA include opinionated topics such as "Future Innovations in Web 2.0 Marketing" or industry highlights like "The Launch of Social Media Marketing in the 2000's."
This type of project tests the ability of the student to perform in a controlled, realistic business setting. Given fundamental business situations, students are asked to propose solutions by using interactive presentations or concept models within limited amounts of time. Some professors even opt to make these projects in-class competitions--students are judged on a set of criteria on the overall effectiveness and buy-in rate of their solutions.
Many MBA programs have partnerships with sponsor companies in various industries. Often, these MBA students work with these companies in full or partial capacities during the course of their MBA programs. Final projects are usually designated by these companies with the schools' approvals. Students are expected to work with the companies' employees and use their resources to create final projects. These projects will be actually used in a real time setting for the companies. An example would be to create an overall launch marketing strategy for a company looking to break into an international market.
Business plan projects are common choices for final MBA projects because they require students to create plans around all major fields of business. The business plans are typically based from students' ideas for creating new businesses. The students are free to choose which type of industries or needs to address but must apply all the core business knowledge learned in the programs. For example, a business plan for a new online venture would need a unique marketing strategy, an accurate estimate on required human resource costs and a thoroughly detailed and profitable financial plan, among others.