Over a semester, students work in small groups to research, analyze and develop recommendations to address a particular challenge provided by the community partner. This final project of the Bachelor of Management degree offers both students and the organizations that participate, a unique opportunity to engage and learn from one another to solve real-time challenges.
Benefits of Participating
Participating in the Bachelor of Management Capstone projects is a triple win. Organizations benefit from receiving tailored recommendations, students gain valuable collaborative experience, and UBC strengthens community ties while evolving educational programs. Successful outcomes are ensured through structured timelines, clear communication, and checkpoints throughout the project.
If you are interested in learning more about how a Capstone Project might be a fit for your organization, please contact us.
Project applications are accepted year-round, with student groups assigned each September or January, for four-month engagements.
“UBCO’s 4th-year management students’ capstone focused on the Rotary Centre for the Arts revenue and sustainability models has truly been very informative. The student’s dedication to fostering creativity, innovation, and real-world problem-solving has enriched our program planning immensely. We are grateful for the opportunity to work with the UBCO students to help shape future leaders.”
Colleen Fitzpatrick, Executive Director, Rotary Centre for the Arts, Kelowna’s Cultural District
Project FAQs
As a brief summary, here are a few topics of some of the recent projects students have investigated:
- the feasibility of rent banks to address temporary homelessness
- e-marketing strategies for a small business
- innovative possibilities to address food insecurity
- revitalized tourism opportunities for a particular region
- strategies to address double-sided markets for a new technology venture focused on key consumer demographics channels/option to market strategy for a new structural engineering product
Ultimately capstone project success depends upon partners like you, committed to a full engagement with their student group, including regular communication to answer student questions, providing key information and resources when needed, and showing a concern for student learning.
The teams are made up of up to four management students, broadly with course work complete in: marketing, finance, accounting, operations, information systems, sustainability, human resources, and ethics. The student group typically on average will spend around 300 person-hours on the assigned capstone project over 13 weeks, meeting weekly or bi-weekly with the host organization to gather evidence and ideas and to provide progress updates and ideas.
The students will initiate outreach to the contacts listed within the project application. Students are required to book a meeting time suitable for all parties (assigned UBC course instructor included) to begin building the project charter that will guide the project expectations. This initial meeting will take place within the first two weeks of the applicable term – either January or September. There is a tight schedule for the projects (13 weeks) so we recommend arranging weekly meetings between key members of your organization and the student group until the project concludes, and the final report and presentation have been delivered.
There are 13 weeks from the start of the project to wrap up of receiving the final report and presentation. We recommend identifying key individuals that can commit to weekly meetings, and who can best support on required access to information, or resources necessary to execute the project. There will be two required progress updates conducted within the 13 weeks, the assigned course instructor will lead these progress meetings with the student team, with reports and discussions coming back to the host organization.
The host organization ultimately overseeing the project supervision, and supports the students in order to ensure they are able to deliver the final report and presentation as outlined within the Project Charter.
Host organizations will also have a direct line of communication with the assigned UBC instructor, for ongoing support and engagement throughout the project.
An assigned UBC course instructor will be meeting with the student team during scheduled class times twice weekly to further assist and provide recommendations and advice to move the project forward. The instructor will lead two formal progress review meetings with the student team, with reports and discussions coming back to the host organization. The instructor will also meet with host organizations separately and as needed, during the term.
Decisions on project acceptance will be made as soon as possible after the applicable submission deadline – for September projects, the deadline to submit is mid-August. We request an indication of interest by return email before mid-July to assist with our planning.
If the project is accepted, a student group and Instructor will be assigned to you at the beginning of the applicable term. The Project Application will be used to create a Project Charter with you that will guide the following 13 weeks. The student team will meet with their host organization throughout the term, preferably each week, to discuss any questions and to indicate progress. The final project report and presentation will be delivered in early April for projects beginning in January or early December for projects beginning in September.
We aim to make project acceptance decisions as soon as possible after the applicable submission deadline. The submission deadline for January is mid-November and for September, mid-July. We anticipate host organizations with accepted projects should receive a confirmation email sometime in early December and August, respectively.
Yes, please email fom.capstone@ubc.ca and we will be sure to add you to the list for upcoming capstone information.