7BU021 The Professional Project Assignment Brief  2025-26 | UoW

7BU021 Assignment Requirements

Production of a professional project/Artefact.

The production of a piece of original work based on independent research is an essential part of study at the Master's level. The Professional Project module is an independent study unit. Students will be able to draw together learning from their previous subjects, focusing on their key strengths, in the production of a business artefact, this could be, but is not limited to, a business plan, a policy review/recommendation, policy evaluation, marketing plan, strategy, work-based issue (such as training plan, health and safety plans, absence and sickness policy, digital presence strategy and media development, impact cases such as impact of crypto currently regulation etc) in the form of an internal/external consultancy project. 

Alongside the artefact, students will develop a report (see structure below) outlining the rationalisation for their chosen artefact, encompassing methodological approaches and a written critical reflection, which is designed to explain their rationale for the choice of artefact and reflect on the process of its production and dissemination.

Structure: The project design reflects the following structure:

Chapter 1: Introduction to the project & dimension to be examined.
Chapter 2 The Discovery Strategy
Chapter 3 Stakeholder Identification
Chapter 4 Methods of Enquiry
Chapter 5: Data analysis and Interpretation of data
Chapter 6 Managerial Implications & Recommendations
Chapter 7 Reflections & Lessons Learned

The Learning objectives of the Professional Project module will focus on several (but not necessarily all) of the following, depending on the nature of the project/artefact:

• Apply consultancy intervention to diagnose and analyse client problems and issues, in a live business setting, using a variety of consultancy approaches and tools.
• Using a consultancy cycle process, engage with a client organisation to formulate and investigate a current workplace problem.
• Address challenges of the client/consultant relationship, such as ethical issues, politics and resistance.
• Define and scope an artefact (such as a business/marketing plan, generation and/or evaluation of practitioner-focused policies, etc).
• Synthesise data from a wide variety of sources and interpret results to resolve client problems/ issues or craft the Artefact.
• Prepare and present the consultancy findings, conclusions and recommendations in formats acceptable to the client.
• Prepare and present the artefact output in formats acceptable to the supervisor.

Whether you are a working professional or intend to establish a professional career, you will need to be capable of basing decision-making on data, information and intelligence derived from research. The skills acquired in the process of producing the Project/Artefact will equip learners’ effectiveness throughout his or her career in a variety of roles and organisational contexts.

7BU021 Learning Outcomes

LO1: Evidence of master's level study/research skills in the planning and design of an independent project (e.g. artefact, business plan, consultancy project, work-based issue).

LO2: Demonstrate an advanced level of appropriate research methodologies and data collection, and analysis

LO3: Provide evidence of an advanced level of competence in the production and presentation of the research, its findings and outputs. This includes a reflection on the individual's learning from the process of study

7BU021 Assessment Criteria

• Design and management of a project/Artefact
• Development as a scholarship-informed practitioner
• Contribution to Practice
• Presentation of the Project/Artefact

Characteristics of a good submission

1. Overall 7500 word limit +/- 10% met.
2. Cover pages state name, ID, and total word count.
3. Full formatting guidelines are followed.
4. A balance of 70/30 towards practitioner debate/discourse and academic literature is demonstrated.
5. The work shows clear practitioner focus.
6. The work shows clear differentiation from a dissertation.
7. Clear practical outcomes are demonstrated.
8. The 7 mandatory chapters are included:

Chapter 1: Introduction to the project & dimension to be examined
Chapter 2 The Discovery strategy
Chapter 3 Stakeholder Identification
Chapter 4 Methods of Enquiry
Chapter 5: Data analysis and Interpretation of data
Chapter 6 Managerial Implications & Recommendations
Chapter 7 Reflections & Lessons Learned

7BU021 Assessment Rubric