Leicester Business School: Reflective Journal of Internship Experience

This reflective journal details a student's internship experience as a business analyst at SLA IT Solutions ltd, focusing on their responsibilities in understanding market trends, organizational structures, and project management. The student reflects on their role in analyzing company reports, identifying operational loopholes, and recommending improvements based on business analytics and project management knowledge. The journal highlights the challenges faced, such as limited experience in organizational analysis, and the strategies employed, including the application of Kolb's learning model. The student discusses the importance of assessing macro and micro environments, proposing software development methodologies, and communicating with clients. The journal also covers the development of project schedules, the importance of empathy in decision-making, and the overall learning experience gained during the internship. The student underscores the value of practical experience in complementing theoretical knowledge and the significance of effective communication and adaptability in real-world business scenarios. Finally the journal provides an in-depth analysis of the internship experience, encompassing project management, software development, and market analysis, and highlighting the student's application of the Kolb's learning cycle and the challenges encountered.

Running head: REFLECTIVE JOURNAL
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Name of the student
Name of the university
Author note

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I served as an intern in the organization SLA IT Solutions ltd while operating as the as
the Business Analyst and Project management. My role as the business analyst involved different
responsibilities of understanding the market trends and the behavior of the organizations. On the
other hand, knowledge on the different organizational structures enabled me in developing an
insight on the issues that might be faced by the organization while operating in the different
markets. The different changes in the organizational operations relied on improving the
operations of the venture as per the strategic goals (Lohmann and Zur Muehlen 2016).
My part of the job was to identify the structure of the organizations and the manner in
which the same might operate as per the needs of the strategic goals. I was provided with
company profiles through which I developed an idea of the different processes that might be
initiated by the organizations with the objective of developing the operations of the ventures. On
the other hand, my knowledge on project management and operations developed my capabilities
of identifying the type of change that might be initiated by the organizations with the objective of
achieving a competitive edge in the markets. Therefore, my role is basically attributed towards
the improvements in the business models through implementation of extensive knowledge on
business analytics and project management.
During my short tenure of two and a half days (60 hours) I was entitled with the task of
completing 10 business analysis and 5 project management functions. As a business analyst my
supervisor shared company information in the form of company sustainability reports, annual
reports and business process reports. I was asked to analyze the different prospects of the
organizations while studying the reports for examining the structure and the process design of the
ventures. In this relation, I studied the different financial records of the organizations and thereby
identified the loopholes which affected the rate of operations of the venture. On the first go it

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was quite difficult for me as I have never been into the task of analyzing the organizational
position. However, my supervisors supported me in my attempts of identifying the case
organizations. Lohmann and Zur Muehlen (2016) defined the role of business analysts as agents
who bridge the gap between IT informatics and the business using data driven technologies for
identifying the requirements and providing recommendations for growth. In this relation, I was
entitled with the responsibility of analyzing the different sources of information that are freely
available on the organizations and the manner in which the data might be processed.
On the other hand, my sense of understanding the state of the organizations enabled me in
developing recommended course of activities for improving the operationalization of the venture
in the different markets. I was asked to assess the macro and micro environmental situations that
are faced by the organizations with the objective of improving the rate of operations of the
venture. In this relation, the application of the Kolb’s learning model permitted me in devising
and segregating my operations based on the needs of performing my job responsibility. During
my short tenure as an intern in the organization, I faced significant issues in examining the
situations that are restricting the growth of the ventures. However, my prior knowledge on
assessing macro and micro environments through reflection on different case organizations
permitted me in performing as per the needs of the job position. I undertook active
experimentation on the job responsibility of an analyst which again helped me in developing
effective knowledge on the different issues that are being faced by the organizations. Vidgen,
Shaw and Grant (2017) noted that most of the organizations are moving towards IT
developments while integrating social media platforms. Therefore, I rechecked the feasibility of
the case organizations and thereby processed data from different reliable sources with the
objective of developing strategic recommended activities for the case organizations.

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The availability of huge amount of peer reviewed reliable sources enabled me in
developing a clear idea of the position of the venture while operating in the different market
units. On the other hand, the experimentation on the subjects and differentiating between the
observations made while examining the businesses permitted me in inducing a concrete
observation. The internship job provided me with an experience of identifying the real-time
situations which varied from the textual knowledge. The field experience was based on the
purpose of providing the interns with a knowledge of the different real life situation that are
faced by the organizations and the manner in which the same might be analyzed for the
recommended course of actions. Huang et al. (2017) stated that the recommendations that are
provided by the business analysts relies on the assessment of the business position in the
markets. I also realized that the manner in which the processes might be designed for improving
the competitive edge of the businesses are specifically based on the research that I undertook for
identifying the viable options for the venture.
The major modifications that are initiated by the businesses are specifically reliant on the
effectiveness of the strategies and their contribution towards the sustenance of the same. I was
bestowed with the responsibility of proposing the software development methodology to the case
study organizations. My prior knowledge on software development contributed towards my
efforts of proposing recommendations to the business cases while reflecting on their respective
positions. The data that I gathered on the organizations enabled me in checking the feasibility
and compatibility of the software development program with the business model. Sturdy, Wright
and Wylie (2016) stated that the businesses undertake a change based on the feasibility of the
strategy and the manner in which the same might contribute to their competitive benefits.

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Therefore, I undertook the responsibility of identifying the corporate position of the case study
organizations before recommending any software updates that the organization might afford.
I assessed different factors like human workforce, the field of operations of the venture,
the business model, the financial position and the macro-micro environment while providing
recommendations to the case organizations. In this relation, I believe that I was fortunate enough
to receive the cooperation and support of my team members and supervisors while identifying
the situations and the diverse changes that might be initiated by the businesses. During the
internship I learned the major factors that might restrict an existing organization in developing
the resource base which is again an addition to the experience that I gathered from reviewing my
textbooks. On the other hand, my task was to develop innovative recommendations for the
organizations while reviewing their existing models, frameworks and the market situation.
Figure: Kolb’s learning cycle
(Source: Andersson 2016)
Again, in my short tenure, I was assigned with the responsibility of communicating
directly with the client organizations and thereby identify their software based requirements. The
interactions with the entrepreneurs and managers in the different organizations supported me in
developing insight on the type of problem and analyze the same instantly while providing the

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same with proven solutions. Wen, Qiang and An (2017) stated that the lead role of business
analyst is to process the information, analyze and recommend as per the needs of the business
ventures. My superior knowledge of the market dynamics and the manner in which the same
might be controlled enabled me in improving my performance of suggesting recommendations.
The identification of the business situations and the manner in which the same might be
executed as per the software development needs permitted me in suggesting recommendations to
the organizations. On the other hand, the in-depth analysis of the organizational positions
enabled me in getting an insight on the viable options. Dupont and Eskerod (2016) opined that
decision making is an important criteria among the business analysts as choosing from among an
array of alternatives based on the compatibility of the solution in the organizational model,
influenced by the decisions of an analyst. My superiors commented on my decision making skills
stating that I must develop my decision making criteria based on empathy. I believe that empathy
would enable me in identifying the position of the business more effectively while placing
myself in the position of the entrepreneur while implementing a software. However, lack of
empathy affected my rate of decision making skills while analyzing and suggesting activities for
the organizations. The internship activity did not only identified my strengths but also my
weaknesses as a business analyst which would support me in continuing with the learning
process.
After all the activities as a business analyst I realized that different changes that are
undertaken by the organizations are specifically reliant on the effective study of the macro-
micro environmental situation. On the other hand, the feasibility studies that I conducted during
the internship activity permitted me in improving the insight on the diverse range of issues and
compatibility lags that might affect software development in the organizations. Therefore, the

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different practical activities that I undertook in course of the internship program explicitly
contributed to my experience as a business analyst apart from the class lectures and texts.
During my tenure as an intern I worked upon the different projects that are being planned
by the management of the case organizations. The different changes in the organizations are
specifically based on the projects that focus on technological updates. Lech (2016) stated that a
project planned analyzes the situation of an organization based on the financial and the human
resource based capabilities. In this relation, my textual knowledge of identifying the type of
projects and segregating the activities as per the agility contributed to my operations as a
consultant. My role was to assess the feasibility of the organizations while implementing
innovative projects through development of timeframes. Schedule development is based on the
nature of the projects which is enabled through my prior knowledge of methodology followed in
complex organizational projects.
However, I must admit that I faced significant issues in developing the schedules for the
organization due to the reason of insufficient communication with the client organizations. The
unclear goals and perceptions of the organizations towards the project also restricted me in
developing the schedule and segregating the tasks effectively. I can still recollect a conversation
with an entrepreneur of a retail organization who was looking forward to implement a
technology for developing communication with the customers. However, he had limited
knowledge over the technological advancements which again increased my workload while
finding a suitable technology and creating the schedule and work breakdown for the
entrepreneur. I believe that the situation greatly contradicted with the texts that provided me
with knowledge on specific project management methodologies and approaches. Andersson
(2016) stated that the effective links of communication with the clients enables a consultant in

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developing clear ideas on the objective of the project. On the other hand, the different changes in
the organizational requirements are specifically based on the situations that are faced by the
same.
My role of scheduling was specifically based on gathering knowledge of the objectives
that are assigned by the organization for implementing the project in the organizational model.
On the other hand, the applicability of the project in the organizational model relied on my job as
a business analyst which enabled me in identifying the prospects for change and the benefits. The
modifications in the organizational operations are derived from the maximized rate of operations
while operating in the different markets. I faced significant issues in identifying the requirements
of the clients in my short tenure as an intern. However, I was empowered by the support and
guidance of my supervisors which permitted me to work independently while deciding the
methodology that should be followed by a project. Again, I must mark the experience as
remarkable because it provided me with an expertise of identifying the requirements of the
clients. The field work was proposed with the objective of inducing practical knowledge among
us. Therefore, I believe that the field work successfully implanted an understanding the issues
that might face in my career due to insufficient communication.
Sturdy, Wright and Wylie (2016) opined that the lack of proficient communication
between the client and the project developer affects the rate of operations of the venture while
operating in the different markets. I coordinated with the supervisors and my team members with
the objective of identifying the best possible mechanism that might be implemented in the
projects. The delineation of the project’s mechanism and allocation of resources is one of the
major activities that I have been into in my short internship tenure. However, I believe that the
short span of time rarely contributed to my capabilities of developing in sights on the different

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activities that might be initiated as per the needs of the entrepreneurs. The operationalization of
the different departments are specifically based on the schedule that was prepared by me. The
coordinators and supervisors suggested me to integrate a cost sheet for the projects with the
objective of developing an insight on the costs that might be incurred by the organization while
implementing the project as per the planned sets of activities. It again assisted me in undertaking
the feasibility study of the organization while implementing the project as per the schedule. My
chief role as an intern was to segregate the tasks and thereby develop methodologies in
orientation with strategic requirements of the organizations for supporting competitive benefits.
During my tenure as an intern in the organization I faced significant issue in developing a
budget for a client’s project. I was confused as the client did not provide me with details of the
operations that the same is planning to undertake. Therefore, I identified the importance of
communication in project management practices as lack of effective communication between the
client and the consultant might complicate the process of plan development. The plan for a
project is specifically based on the assessment of organizational requirement and feasibility of
the option that is being chosen by the venture. On the other hand, as a project planner I was
assigned with the responsibility of developing estimated outcome for which I needed explicit
knowledge on the benefits that are derived from the projects after implementation. My
knowledge on strategic management and the manner in which organizations behave contributed
to my job responsibility of understanding the feasibility of the option in the organizational
model. On the other hand, the continuous learning approach helped me in developing an insight
on the different aims of the organization while improving the resource based infrastructure.
Lech (2016) stated that efficient planning relies on effective links of communication and
collaboration between the stakeholders. Therefore, I attended meetings for 15 minutes with the

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stakeholders of the five case companies with the objective of identifying the concerns that are
being faced by the ventures. The delineation of the issues enabled me in developing insight on
the rationale for the project and the manner in which the same might affect performance of the
ventures. The key changes in the organizational operations are specifically based on the
effectiveness of the operations in orientation with the needs of the venture while operating in the
different markets. Therefore, my colleagues, peers and supervisors supported me in identifying
the nature of job through providing me with performance analysis and feedbacks. I had
significant issues in communicating which affected my rate of involvement with the different
stakeholders. On the other hand, during the internship I faced significant issues in handling
adverse situations which again incapacitated me in improving my performance. The lack of
proficient management qualities in adverse situations apart from the textual knowledge affected
my capabilities of dealing with the requirements of the clients. However, my supervisors
encouraged my operations by stating that I was really working hard to develop my skills and also
that they faced significant issues while working as interns for the first time. I believe that the
transition from textual knowledge to practical experience was a huge leap for me.
Practical problems to project scheduling also occurred while allocating real life resources
and developing the costs that might be incurred by the organization. In this relation, I
encountered difficulties in identifying the most probable resources that might be used by the
organizations while developing the projects. The lack of clear identification of the organizational
requirements related to the project affected my capacity of allocating resources. Dupont and
Eskerod (2016) stated that the major criteria of project management operations are specifically
reliant on the effective design of the methodologies. The delineation of the project methodology
is an important part which enables an organization in improving the rate of performance of the

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project while operating in the different markets. My role as a business analyst supported me
greatly in analyzing the feasibility of the project as per the organizational model and the
situations. I undertook steps to develop methodologies as per the organizational project based
requirements through consultation with my peers and supervisors who proficiently supported me
in undertaking my responsibility.
Therefore, through the internship program I learned the manner in which I must react to
different practical situations. On the other hand, the internship program contributed to my
experience which was specifically based on the development of different operations as per the
needs of the venture while operating in the different markets. Again, I must say that I established
thorough communication with my peers and supervisors for initiating a collaborative approach.
However, I believe that the time duration that was allocated for the internship program was shot
enough to disable a consolidated study of my job responsibilities which I would undertake in the
coming years. The internship could have been a little longer as it would have helped me in
gaining insights on the manner in which the budgets are created as per the needs of the
organizations. I acknowledge the proficiency on work and experience that I gathered through the
60 hours of work in an organization and I believe that it would contribute to my performance
immensely.

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References
Andersson, A., 2016. Communication barriers in an interorganizational ERP-
project. International Journal of Managing Projects in Business, 9(1), pp.214-233.
Dupont, D.H. and Eskerod, P., 2016. Enhancing project benefit realization through integration of
line managers as project benefit managers. International Journal of Project Management, 34(4),
pp.779-788.
Huang, A.H., Lehavy, R., Zang, A.Y. and Zheng, R., 2017. Analyst information discovery and
interpretation roles: A topic modeling approach. Management Science, 64(6), pp.2833-2855.
Lech, P., 2016. Causes and remedies for the dominant risk factors in Enterprise System
implementation projects: the consultants’ perspective. SpringerPlus, 5(1), p.238.
Lohmann, P. and Zur Muehlen, M., 2016, September. Business process management skills and
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of neo-bureaucratic management. Organization, 23(2), pp.184-205.
Vidgen, R., Shaw, S. and Grant, D.B., 2017. Management challenges in creating value from
business analytics. European Journal of Operational Research, 261(2), pp.626-639.
Wen, Q., Qiang, M. and An, N., 2017. Collaborating with construction management consultants
in project execution: Responsibility delegation and capability integration. Journal of
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