University of Pittsburgh

Experience-Based Learning

Project Courses: Respironics

Respironics faced a challenge. The Murrysville, Pennsylvania-based manufacturer of respiratory and sleep-enhancement products had an opportunity to acquire an offshore-developed product. Management had only a few months to act. Responsible executives questioned this innovative product’s acceptability in the American market. To help in evaluating its American strategy and market, Respironics approached Katz.

Under the guidance of Katz Lecturer Bud Smith, a team of five MBA students was assembled; Associate Professor Ravi Madhavan signed on as the team’s faculty advisor. Within days, the Katz team and the manufacturer’s key decision makers had agreed to the project’s scope, deadlines, and the extent of Respironics’ involvement. The expectation was that the team would deliver a practical and research-supported recommendation in time for Respironics to meet its deadline.

The Respironics project was one of several projects courses undertaken by Katz students during the 2006-07 academic year. MBA student teams, led by a Katz faculty advisor, have provided project support to Bayer Material Sciences, Westinghouse Electric, Nova Chemical Company, Genco, Ascent Systems, and Matthews International, among many others, in the areas of strategy, marketing, accounting, finance, and information systems. The teams’ recommendations to the companies are the projects’ deliverables.

Participants must attend four consulting workshops, which are project focused and feature members of various management consulting firms who discuss such issues as scoping out the company projects, trouble-shooting assignment problems, and developing recommendations of practical value.

Students receive three credits for completing a Project Course, and their grades are based heavily on the corporate sponsor’s input, with the ultimate decision resting on the team’s faculty advisor.

“It’s win-win for everybody,” says Smith. “The companies are glad to drive their projects and set the tone. In return, they receive a well-researched and sometimes out-of-the-box recommendation.” Smith adds, “Our MBA students gain from the hands-on experience and see possible career opportunities. The Project Courses also look good on their resumes.”

Katz is continually building more projects courses into its curriculum. Projects from nonprofit, governmental, and medical organizations will be added to the mix of industrial, financial, and consumer projects currently offered.

If your organization is interested in sponsoring a Project Course, contact Katz Lecturer Bud Smith (412-648-1547; budsmith@katz.pitt.edu).