The Project Report

Here are some guidelines that you can use for your project report. These guidelines are written as though you are developing a new business, but can be used if you are analyzing an existing business (option 3) as well. It should also give you an idea as to the  tasks ahead of you. Note that these are just guidelines. Since the types of project & the actual business you may choose to work on can be very different, deviations from these guidelines are expected. In each section, you must describe relevant issues related to doing business in a foreign country or include a separate section where these issues are discussed.

(Some of these sections may be applicable only to some projects.)

1. Executive Summary (required): This section must concisely communicate the basics of the business that you plan to develop or the business you are analyzing. Keep in mind that your reader may be unfamiliar with the Internet and its tremendous potential.
2. Business Description (required): In this section you will describe what the business is about. What is it that this business will be (is) doing in the marketplace? What are your firm's products/services? Provide any pertinent information about the industry(s) that it will be (is) cannibalizing or the new industry it will create. What is your mission? What are the keys to the success of your business. Why are you going to succeed?
3. Market Analysis (required): With the business described, next you must discuss your market (need, trends, growth, etc.), identify competitors and their strengths and weaknesses.
4. Marketing (required): With the business and market described, next you must describe your promotion plans, explain how you plan to price your products (how revenues will accrue) and discuss delivery and payment mechanisms. If you are analyzing an existing business, analyze their marketing efforts. You must clearly describe who the customers, consumers, wallets are in your business and their size, demographics, and other pertinent information about them.
   • Promotion: Describe how you are going to market your product or service. How is the word going to get out about your product service.
   • Pricing: How are you setting prices for your products or services? Explain why your pricing makes sense; why will it work?
   • Logistics & Payment: How are you going to deliver your product and get paid?
5. Research & Development (if necessary): This is where to get into the technical aspects of your project. Address where the project is now, the R&D efforts that will be required to bring it to completion and a forecast of how much the project will cost. Since the Internet is continually developing, you should also address continuing plans for R&D.
6. Operations & Manufacturing (if necessary): In this section, discuss the major aspects of the business, including daily operations and physical location. Who will be your employees and how will you attract them? Include cost information.
7. Management (required): This segment must address who will be running the business and their expertise. Because the business centers around the Internet, be sure to discuss the management team's level of Internet expertise. In addition, describe the management team's expertise in your product domain.
8. Risks (required): In this section, you must define the major risks the proposed business will face (faces). In addition to regular business risks such as downward industry trends, cost overruns, and unexpected entry of competitors, also include risks specific to the Internet that are relevant to your business.
9. Financial (required): You cannot develop a new business without paying attention to financial issues. Potential investors will pay very close attention to this area, in light of your earlier description. Of particular interest are revenues and costs over time and their growth. Include cost of capital considerations and sources of financing from a global perspective. If you are analyzing an existing business, your financial analysis will depend upon where the business is at the present time.
10. Timeline (required): In this section, you must lay out the steps it will take to make your proposal a reality. When developing this schedule, it might be helpful to to get an idea of how other Internet businesses, similar in concept and execution have developed. If you are analyzing an existing business, your timeline will lay out what the business needs to do over the next three years.
11. Bibliography and Appendices (required): In addition to business references, include Internet references that could bolster your case.