Evaluate a project using the Scenario Approach - a proposal example

An example of a dissertation proposal at the Master Degree level written by me:

Project (Dissertation) Title

An evaluation of ABC Project in XYZ Company based on the Scenario Approach: a case study [Note: ABC project is an organizational change initiative, e.g. an IT-enabled change and an introduction of a new logistics system, etc]

Synopsis (250 – 300 words)

The project is a case study to evaluate an organizational change initiative at the project feasibility study phase, e.g. an IT-enabled change or an introduction of a new logistics system, etc, to be introduced in a specific organization. In this case, the research method used is the case study research method; it is mainly a qualitative research. It explicitly applies the Scenario Approach to conduct the evaluation of the change initiative. The main aims of the projects are: a.     To evaluate the desirability as well as the impacts of introducing the change initiative in a specific organization b.    To evaluate the usefulness of Scenario approach as an evaluation methodology on organizational change initiatives at the feasibility stage c.     To enhance evaluation theories as applied in organizational change initiatives To conduct this project, the student needs to have approved access to a specific client system, e.g. as an employee of the client system.  The student also needs to conduct literature review on the type of organizational initiatives involved. For example, if the organizational initiative is a kind of IT-enabled change, the student needs to apply IT-enable change theories in the project as well. For students who are interested in Project Management, it is feasible to incorporate ideas on project evaluation/ project selection from the Project Management literature into the Scenario approach. See references as related to Project Management below. References Fahey, L. and Randell, R.M. (editors) (1998) Learning from the Future, Wiley Ringland, G. and Young (editors) (2006) Scenarios in Marketing: from Vision to Decision, Wiley Piiarainen, K., Kortelainen, S., Elfvengren, K, and Tuominen, M. (2010) “A Scenario approach for assessing new business concepts” Management Research Review Vol. 33(6), pp. 635-665 Buytendijk, F., Hatch, T. Micheli, P. (2010) “Scenario-based strategy maps” Business Horizons 53, pp. 335-347. Stewart, C.C. (2008) “Integral scenarios: Reframing theory, building from practice” Futures 40, pp. 160-172 Schnaars, S. and Ziamou, P. (2001) “The Essentials of Scenario Writing” Business Horizons, July-August, pp. 25-31. Gausemeier, J., Fink, A. and Schlake, O. (1998) “Scenario Management: An Approach to Develop Future Potentials” Technological Forecasting and Social Change 59, pp. 111-130. Jouvenel, H.D. (2000) “A Brief Methodological Guide to Scenario Building” Technological Forecasting and Social Change 65, pp. 37-48. Wilson, I. (2000) “From Scenario Thinking to Strategic Action” Technological Forecasting and Social Change 65, pp. 23-29. Yin, R.K. (1989) Case Study Research: Design and Methods, SAGE Publications References as related to Project Management Agarwal, N. and Rathod, U. (2006) “Defining ‘success’ for software projects: An exploratory revelation” International Journal of Project Management 24, pp. 358-370. Daniel, H.Z., Hempel, D.J. and Srinivasan, N. (2003) “Project selection: a process analysis”, Industrial Marketing Management 32, pp. 39-54. Lopes, M.D.S, Flavell, R. (1998) “Project appraisal: a framework to assess non-financial aspects of project during the project life cycle” International Journal of Project Management 16(4), pp. 223-233. Wateridge, J. (1995) “IT projects: a basis for success” International Journal of Project Management Vol. 13(3) pp. 169-172.