MIS Projects Course

Technology & Business Process Improvement Projects

Acting as consultants, students design and implement a business and/or technology solution for a regional client. Students will participate in a team-based, semester long project that explores a business opportunity or solves a business problem. These opportunities fall in the fields of information systems, marketing, operations management or other functional business areas.

Students are mentored and monitored by experienced faculty. MIS students can assist in a variety of different opportunity domains.

Department of Accounting and MIS

MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS (MIS) MAJOR AND MINOR

The MIS program is designed to prepare students for careers that leverage information technology in a business environment.

Students Learn Concepts Related To:

Programming languages
Web design and development
Database design
System analysis and design
Business problem solving
Project management

Students Can:

Create new web sites, including graphical design, construction, SEO and analytics
Automate business tasks
Train and assess users of new software
Develop an integrated computer system
Analyze a current system and recommend how the processesor functions can perform more efficiently
Determine product feasibility and compare to other solutions
Identify database or technology needs and implement recommended changes
Create quality control standards and methodologies

To Apply:

If you are interested in applying please reach out to the SBDC at delaware-sbdc@udel.edu or by calling our direct line at 302-831-1555. To submit an interest form directly, please visit the program page >

For More Information

Ryan Rodalunas

ryanrod@udel.edu

(302) 831-1555

Past Clients have included:

JP Morgan Chase
Art Therapy Express
Delaware Judiciary

Galleyware
Junior Achievement
Tri State Underground

Mid-County Center
Cancer Care Connection
Paradocx Vineyard

ASPIRA Academy
IKO
EPIC

The MIS Projects Course FAQs

How does the client firm benefit?

The organizations get the benefit of professional level assistance rendered by professional soon-to-be college graduates. These students receive the active support and assistance of business professors with professional experi-ence who manage and support the student projects.

What kind of background do these students have?

The undergraduate students are all seniors in MIS, oper-ations management, marketing, management, finance, accounting, economics or computer science. In addition to their individual majors, all MIS majors and minors have also taken a set of courses in information systems, including systems analysis, structured programming, and data base management. Students understand they are working not only for college credit, but for the valuable experience your organization can provide.

Who selects students?

The teams are assembled by the faculty based on each student’s preference and the faculty’s understanding of the talents required for the project. Teams are created at the end of the fall semester. Therefore, the teams can immedi-ately begin work on the project.

What will the firm’s interaction be with the team?

The firm’s interaction with the team will depend on a few factors, including the type of project being addressed, the proximity of the client to the University, the communica-tion style of the primary client contact, and the time period throughout the semester. Most clients wish for a combi-nation of face to face contact, email and teleconferences. The weight of each is dictated by the client. However, it is important to remember that these individuals are students and have other classes, so requiring every interaction to be face to face may waste valuable time. We require students to meet face to face with the client as a “kickoff” to the semester and again for the presentation of the proposal. Also students are required to present the final report, train personnel and test their solutions that are implemented.

What is expected of my organization as a client?

We are looking for projects which involve real decision making rather than data manipulation and do not require extensive time “on site.” Organizations should understand that there is a commitment of time and information on their part.

How much time must I devote to the project?

The amount of time spent with the students is really under the client’s control but averages under an hour a week, with 2 to 3 hours during the first and last weeks, and periodically touching base in the middle of the semester. We hold a semester launch event on campus for clients and student teams the first week of class. During this event clients will meet their teams and plan project logistics including a kick-off meeting at the client site. After the first meeting at the client site, the team generally uses email. We also encourage the team and the organization to select a point person for all communication.

What about confidentiality?

We ensure confidentiality; each student must sign a con-fidentiality agreement. We impress upon them the impor-tance of holding the details of the project in the strictest of confidence. We do expect and allow them to mention that they are working on a project for XYZ company and that it is for the capstone course in a particular area: however, information about the firm, its employees, it clients and its project are off limits for outside discussion. We ask the client at the end of the project to approve a public presen-tation regarding the project that we can share with future clients. Generally clients are enthusiastic about sharing the success of the project, however, occasionally the client wishes to remain strictly anonymous and this wish is always granted. Often a client is very eager and willing to support the program but wishes most or all details of the project to remain confidential. This request is also honored. Since the client approves the presentation, the client can require specifics to be omitted. In the more than twenty years we have supervised projects (more than 500 projects); we have never had an issue with confidentiality.

What involvement do students have in implementation?

This is highly dependent on the project, the team and the client. Ideally, the team will be able to completely imple-ment the solution; however, implementation may only be of a prototype or involve a subset of the project. The three month time window is a relatively short period.

What is the duration of the project?

The spring term runs from the first week in February until mid-May. The end date is more a function of the project than the calendar. Projects that run smoothly may end as early as late-April. Other projects have run until graduation in late May.

How do I learn more?

Please contact Barbara Cullis, for any questions. She is available to meet with members of your firm in your offices to discuss this opportunity in detail.

Is there a fee?

There is a small fee to sponsor a student consulting team. This will cover student expenses to complete the project. Please speak with Barbara Cullis for details.