business.wfu.edu Graduate Consulting Projects Types of Projects

Types of Projects

Graduate Consulting Projects take place year-round and span all functional areas of business. The tiered approach throughout the year allows students to add layers of business skills and knowledge to tackle complex projects. The final results are high performing student teams who create innovative and thorough business recommendations. The overview below gives more information about the types of projects, timelines and examples of past project examples:

  • Summer (July-August): 5-week project
    • 1 title sponsor
    • 15-20 student teams tackle the same business problem
    • Desired functional area:  Varies, data set required 
  • Fall (August-December): 15-week project 
    • 1 title sponsor
    • 15-20 student teams tackle the same business problem
    • Desired functional areas:  Marketing or Human Resources/Human Capital
  • Spring (January – April): 15-week project 
    • 15 – 20 sponsors
    • Work with a dedicated team of 4-6 students
    • Desired functional areas: Open to all functional areas
  • Case Competitions (various dates): 2-3 day project 
    • 1 title sponsor
    • Desired functional areas: Open to all functional areas

Past Project Examples

Note: Specific project information and identifying features have been removed to maintain client privacy.

Healthcare/Analytics: Cigna
The XX market is one of Cigna Medicare’s newest markets and has quickly grown to be the highest potential market for membership growth. The Cigna team is working to create efficient, closed networks of highly engaged Primary Care Providers (PCPs) that provide quality care to customers. Cigna’s goal is to figure out which PCPs should be a part of that long-term growth strategy.

Your team has partnered with the XX Independent Physician Association (IPA) to analyze their performance. Specifically, using the data provided and any other resources you deem relevant, you have been tasked with identifying areas where the IPA has outperformed and/or underperformed the XX market. Importantly, your team should identify the drivers that set the IPA apart according to Key Performance Indicators and make recommendations for sustaining and/or improving performance.

Marketing/HR: Cedar Fair Entertainment
Cedar Fair Entertainment Company is a leading owner and operator of amusement parks, recreation properties and resorts across North America. As a “house of brands,” Cedar Fair is best recognized for their world-famous properties including the flagship park Cedar Point in Ohio; Knott’s Berry Farm in Southern California; and eleven other parks. Cedar Fair hires thousands of seasonal associates each summer to perform the many day-to-day critical operating functions in the parks. They pay competitive, entry-level hourly rates on prevailing local wages and offer unique benefits.

Cedar Fair tasked the student consulting teams to focus on conducting an industry and competitive analysis for recruiting, hiring, and retaining seasonal employees. What strategies can Cedar Fair use to maintain a competitive edge when hiring Gen Z and Millennial employees? What messages should be used to reach these audiences and what are the best channels and methods to use in marketing?