Understanding the Client Project: Using Secondary Research

Overview of the assignment

The scenario is that you have been instructed by your client to produce a report demonstrating your understanding of the client project through the use of secondary research. You are not required to provide a set of solutions to the client’s problem at this stage.

Using the client project brief which you have been allocated, answer all three of the questions below.

Ensure work is supported with evidence from research (academic theory and secondary research).

A brief introduction and conclusion are also required which are included in the word count.

Further guidance on research sources will be provided in Week 8’s class.

1.Clarify who your client is, and summarise the problem that they are facing.

2.Using research, break the problem down by critically analysing and presenting areas of importance to the client such as; competitors, target customers, market and influencing factors from the external environment  

3.From your above analysis, what are the top three issues that the client is facing? State clearly why you have ranked these as your top three.

Critically analyse a range of secondary business research sources with application to the client’s business.

This is an individual piece of work and must be undertaken on your own, based on your reading and your research. It should therefore NOT be undertaken in collaboration with other student(s).

Please note carefully that tables, diagrams, or additional words contained in text boxes within the body of the report WILL be considered part of the word count. A maximum 2 sides of A4 only is allowed for the Appendices (apart from the list of references). Appendices can include tables and charts.

Please DO NOT contact your client regarding this assignment.

This brief assignment checklist is designed to help you avoid some of the most common mistakes students make in their coursework.

HAVE YOU READ THE ASSIGNMENT BRIEF? 

IF NOT, DO IT NOW!

In it you will find details of the assessment task, word count, the assessment criteria your work is marked against, and the learning outcomes – the basis for the assessment strategy in each module.

Students often lose marks by forgetting some of the more straightforward elements of their assignments. We recommend that you “tick off” each of the points below as you prepare your work for submission. If you need any help, ask your tutor and / or visit https://bucks.ac.uk/students/academicadvice/assessment-and-examination

TICK

Have you read and understood the assessment criteria?

Have you met the learning outcomes? You will lose marks and your work may even   be failed if you have not.

Have you demonstrated you can think and write critically in the completed work?  This means you have supported your arguments/explanations appropriately e.g. using relevant academic sources and you have offered discussion points which extends your own or others’ viewpoints to make reasoned conclusions/judgements.

Have you maintained an academic tone throughout your work? Is your work formal, focused, developed and clear?

Have you checked that the referencing in your assignment is in line with your programme requirements?

Have you proof-read your work and used spellcheck software to check your spelling and grammar?

Have you checked the presentation of your work is as specified by your tutor, for example, are font size, colour, style, line spacing and margins as the tutor specified?

Have you kept to the word count (or equivalent)? If you are not sure, check with your tutor.

Can you confirm that the work submitted is your own and not plagiarised?