PROJECT GUIDELINES FOR ( PGDRM, PGDCRM, PGDIM & PGDSCM )

1. Understanding the significance of a Project Report Many learners underestimate

The significance of a project report and make a mistake of thinking that excellent
marks can be scored by simply producing a good lay-out. This is fundamentally not
the case as many projects are graded well below their Potential because of an
indifferent or poor write-up. In order to acquire the right Balance, a learner should
consider the aim behind making a good project.

It provides the opportunity for a learner to demonstrate independence and originality, to plan
and organize the project work, and to put into practice some of the techniques a learner has
been taught throughout the program.

2. Meaning of a Project

The word project actually means something that comes before anything else is done.
A project can be defined as a temporary Endeavour undertaken to achieve a particular aim or it
is a study of factual information for comprehending and applying the various concepts of the
course into practice. In simple words, a project can be understood as mentioned under :

i) It is a practice of verification or demonstration of concepts or hypotheses or processes

learnt.
ii) It is also a technique of self-learning, learning by doing. It has a practical value.
iii) The purpose of project is not to generalize but to study the situation with a practical
orientation.

3. Application of Research Methodology to Project Work

SCDL allows learners to take up any topic of their interest and choice for project work. For
example, the learners one year program (PGDRM/PGDSCM) should carry out their project
work only in the functional areas .Learners should select topics from their area of choice.
Although an illustrative list of the topics is being given at the end in order to give an idea about
project topics or titles of the project, learners are nevertheless advised not to restrict themselves
only to the topics specified. SCDL gives liberty to choose any topic relevant to a learner’s
specialization.

¾ Steps in Research Process

¾ Defining the problem and Project Objectives
¾ Designing Project Plan
¾ Collecting Data
¾ Analysis of Data
¾ Interpretation and reporting the findings

4. Project Supervisor (Guide)

Projects can be guided by any Post Graduate degree holder with/without a Doctorate
Degree working in an academic institution (preferably teaching MBA/Management
Course) or a person working in the managerial cadre in any industrial/business/IT
organisation. Learners must take advice and suggestions from their guides from time to time.

5. Project Selection
The project can be selected in various ways like

¾ Select a company/organization/institute concerned.

¾ Discuss with concerned persons, your specific requirements and select the
Subject/topic in their consultation.
¾ Discuss with your faculty concerned, before making a choice of your subject/topic.
¾ Consult experts in the field to make a right choice of the subject.
¾ Study various articles/news items etc. appearing in dailies, weekly, monthly
magazines to look for a desired topic.
¾ Discussions with the relevant firm may help select a proper topic.
¾ A critical eye can help you spot the right topic for your project.

6. Project Proposal

Once the learner decides the Project topic, he/she should prepare a proposal as per the format
given in the next page. This format should be considered as ANNEXURE 1 of the Project report
by the learners. The Proposal should not be more than 5 to 6 pages
In other words, the project proposal need not be sent separately.

7. Format of Proposal

Name of the Learner ______________________________________________

Registration Number _______________________________________________
Program Name ____________________________________________________
Address __________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

Proposal must carry the following information

1) Title of the Project
2) Objectives_ Need & importance for the topic
3) Methodology and Procedure of Work
4) Statistical Techniques to be used (If any)
5) Chapterization
6) Detailed Information of Guide: Name, Address, Qualification, Designation,
Special Field of Work, Experience, Any Other Important Information
8. Technical specifications of the project report

¾ Paper : A4 size Bond Paper only (11"x 8.5")

¾ Fonts : Times New Roman, 12 font size, ‘1.5’ spacing
¾ Margin : Left 35 mm, Right 20mm, Top 35mm, Bottom 20mm
¾ Binding : Rexin Black Bound or Plastic & spiral bound
¾ First (Preliminary) page should have the following information:
i) Top : The Title in BLOCK CAPITALS
ii) Centre : Full name of the student in Capital letters & Registration Number
iii) Bottom : Name of the Institute (i.e. SCDL), in Block Capitals, and the Academic year

9. Instructions for the preparation of hard copy of the Project Report

Learners should note the following important points regarding project work :
1) The title of the project report should not be the same as the objectives, as there can be
more than one objective for a particular study.
2) Each objective will have at least one or more findings and suggestions.
3) Each objective must have relevant questions in the questionnaire and/or interview
schedule.
4) Learner must ensure adequate coverage of the topic in general and objectives in
particular.
5) Colored figures/diagrams/graphs/tables will add value to the presentation of the
report. Every table and diagrammatic representation should have a serial number
and a caption.
6) All project reports are to be sent by post or delivered personally at the address of
SCDL main campus. Learners should submit the draft of the project report to the
Project Guide before the final submission and make the necessary changes,
corrections as suggested by the guide.
7) Project report should be of minimum 30pages hard copy for all one year programs.
(Not applicable for PGDID programs.)
8) Learners have to strictly follow the deadline for submission of the project report.
Project reports received after the deadline will not be evaluated.

Important Note

(a) For one year programs, project report must be submitted within three months after
completion of the second semester.
(b) While sending the project report to Symbiosis Centre for Distance Learning (SCDL),
please mention (on the top of the envelope) “PROJECT REPORT for
program………..”.

10. No Objection Certificate

If the project is carried out in an organization, a certificate of the CEO or any other authorized
person of the organization is necessary, mentioning that the organization has no objection in
publishing the findings of the project study.
The certificate should bear the name of the authority with signature and company stamp.
Alternatively, the certificate should be given on the company’s letterhead and signed by the
company’s authorized person.

11 (a) FOR EMPLOYED LEARNERS

SPECIMEN NO OBJECTION CERTIFICATE

This is to certify that ………................................ (learner’s name) is an employee of this
institute/organisation for the past ………….....
We have no objection for him/her to carry out a project work titled “…………………”
in our organisation and for submitting the same to the Director, SCDL as a part of fulfillment of
the …………….. Program.
We wish him/her all the success.
Seal of the company Signature of the competent authority of the Institute/Organization
Place:
Date:

11(b) FOR NON EMPLOYED LEARNERS SPECIMEN

NO OBJECTION CERTIFICATE
This is to certify that ……….. (Learner’s name) is permitted to use relevant data/information
of this organisation for his/her project in fulfillment of the …………….. Program.
We wish him/her all the success.
Seal of the company Signature of the competent authority
of the Institute/Organization
Place :
Date :

CERTIFICATE/DECLARATION REGARDING ORIGINALITY

This is to be given by the learner and the supervisor (guide) indicating that this project
work is original and submitted for the first time.

SPECIMEN
11(c) DECLARATION BY THE LEARNER
This is to declare that I have carried out this project work myself in part fulfillment of the
…………............. Program of SCDL
The work is original, has not been copied from anywhere else and has not been submitted to
any other University/Institute for an award of any degree/diploma.
Date : Signature :
Place : Name :

SPECIMEN
11(d) CERTIFICATE OF SUPERVISOR (GUIDE)
Certified that the work incorporated in this Project Report…………….. (Title) submitted by
…………….. (Learner’s name) is his/her original work and completed under my supervision.
Material obtained from other sources has been duly acknowledged in the Project Report.
Date : Signature of Guide
Place :
12. Chapterization (For Programs other than PGDIT/PGDID)
i) No Objection Certificate
ii) Declaration by the Learner
iii) Certificate by the Supervisor

Chapters Page Nos.

1. Introduction…………………………………………………......................
2. Objectives and Scope……………………………………….......................
3. Limitations ……………………………………….......................................
4. Theoretical Perspective ………………………………………......................
5. Methodology and Procedure of Work ……………………………………….
6. Analysis of Data ………………………………………...............................
7. Findings, Inferences and Recommendations……………………………….....
8. Conclusion……………………………………………………....................
9. Summary of the Project Report

ANNEXURES
I) Proposal
II) References
III) List of Figures, Charts, Diagrams……………………………
IV) List of Tables ………………………………………………
(Note: The “No Objection” Certificate and the Declaration Certificate of the learner
And the supervisor will be a part of the hard bound Project Report.)

12. Scheme of Assessment and Evaluation of Project

Sr. No. Item of Assessment
1. Area and topic selected for the project work
2. Need of the project topic and statement of objectives of the project work
3. Methodology and procedure of the project work
4. Tools of data collection
5. Presentation of collected data tabulation, diagrams, graphs etc. in a concise form
6. Analysis of data
7. Use of statistical techniques for analyzing of data
8. Findings, inferences, their educational implications and recommendations.
9. Preliminary pages of the project report, typing, binding and get-up of the report
10. Overall impression about the project work and its presentation in the report form
Project Topics for Customer Relationship Management (CRM)

1. Developing an Analytical CRM for a Wholesale dealer.

2. CRM plan at an electronic shop – a study.
3. Identifying weaknesses in a CRM system in a super market.
4 Scope of strengthening a CRM programme a computer training institute.
5 Studying the effectiveness of a CRM system of an IT company.
6 A study of CRM system in International bank.
7 Factors that will strengthen CRM in a public sector insurance company.
8 CRM system in a company – a detailed analysis.
9 How to make awareness about requirement of a useful CRM system in
service sector.

10 Study of CRM being implemented by an organization.

11 Conducting SWOT of a CRM system being implemented.

12 Study of Customer loyalty programme of a company.

13 Critical analysis of a CRM programme.

14 Study of CRM as a competitive advantage.

15 Study of Implementation of CRM in a company.

16 Actual implementation and taking part in it.

17 Preparation of an organization for CRM.

18 To study role of a call centre in CRM development.

19 Study of ‘touch points’ i.e. Customer contact points with an organization

and to comment on effectiveness and handling of the same.

20 Study of Sales force automation in an organization.

21 Study Data management – Data warehousing tools being used by an

organization.

22 Comparison of CRM implemented by two companies in same or different fields.

 23 Study of CRM by a fortune 500 company.

24 Study of CRM failure at an organization.

Project Topics for PGDIM

1 Revised mediclaim Insurance plan 2007

2 Scenario of Health Insurance in India
3 Marketing v/s selling in Indian Insurance Environment
4 Overseas Mediclaim Insurance
5 Term plan of Kotak Mahendra
6 Life insurance for accidents
7 Retirement solution of ICICI and planning
8 Cargo insurance in India
9 Motor vehicle insurance and its impact on people
10 Benefits of "Home and family protector insurance policy
11 Personal Accident Claim
12 Gramin Personal Accident Insurance
13 Passenger Flight Insurance
14 Rajrajeshwari Mahila Kalyan Bima Yojana
15 Bhagyashree Vima Yojana
16 Rasta Appatti Kavach yojna
17 Fire insurance of Properties &Scope of Fire Insurance

Project Topics for Retail Management

1. To evaluate the Impact of POP display on the customer buying behavior

2. To compare the CRM strategy of different retail formats
3. To understand the category management in a supermarket
4. To identify significance of CRM in retail sector
5. A study of automotive retail management structure in an organization.
6. To find out the role of SCM in an organization.
7. To understand retail store operations in ABC.
8. To evaluate retail strategies of a mall.
 9. To understand role of applied retail research in an organization.
10. To analyse visual merchandising and space is planning in a mall.

11. To analyse promotional tactics in retail sector.

12. A detailed study of relation between location and retailing.

Project Topics for Supply Chain Management

1. Dealership Management

2. Consumer Preference Analysis

3. Customer satisfaction level

4. Supply Chain Cycle time reduction

5. Warehouse management process improvement

6. Inventory reduction

7. Inventory management process design

8. Supplier selection

9. Supplier evaluation

10. Gap analysis

11. Channel management

12. Bullwhip Effect reduction

13. Transportation Optimization

14. Production Cycle time optimization

15. Supply Chain Documentation

Project Submission :- Apart from the soft copy, after completion of the project report, every
learner has to submit a hard copy of the complete project report in a combined form to SCDL at
the address given on the cover page.

1) Please note that name of the file should be learner’s registration number e.g.
200500002.doc
2) Learners are required to retain one copy of the Project with them.
Any queries related to Project Report can be forwarded to projectreport@scdl.net