Capstone (CAPS) 698
Status:
Open
Delivery mode:
Paced study and Online. Delivered via Brightspace.
Credits:
6
Area of study:
Business
Prerequisites:
Completion of all Phase 1 and Phase 2 core courses.
Precluded:
None
Faculty:
Academic Area Manager:
Overview
CAPS 698: Simulation is the culminating experience of the MBA program. Working individually, students operate a simulated company within a dynamic and competitive marketplace, making strategic, operational, and ethical decisions across six quarters. The scenario involves launching a company offering 3D-printed carbon fibre bicycles, balancing innovation, profitability, and social responsibility under the conscious capitalism framework.
The course offers an experiential and integrative learning environment that synthesizes MBA-level knowledge in marketing, operations, finance, HR, and leadership. Students are assessed through a project proposal, an interim report, and a final reflective report rather than traditional exams or literature reviews.
Outline
This course is divided into weekly lessons over 10 weeks:
- Week 1: Establish Your Company and Submit Your Proposal
- Week 2: Organize Your Firm and Set Up Shop (Quarter 1)
- Week 3: Go to Test Market (Quarter 2)
- Week 4: Make Skillful Adjustments and Expand Your Market (Quarter 3)
- Week 5: Invest in the Future (Quarter 4)
- Week 6: Expand Your Business Strategy (Quarter 5)
- Week 7: Refine Your Business Strategy (Quarter 6)
- Week 8: Review Your Final Results (Quarter 7)
- Week 9: Draft Your Report Outline
- Week 10: Finalize and Submit Your Final Report
Learning outcomes
By the end of this course, students should be able to
- demonstrate a solid understanding of how decision-based learning integrates strategic, financial, operational, and ethical considerations across a business context.
- apply MBA-level theories, concepts, and tools to make informed strategic decisions in a simulated business environment.
- evaluate and interpret simulation outcomes, identifying causal relationships between decisions and performance metrics.
- balance profitability and purpose by integrating the four pillars of conscious capitalism: higher purpose, stakeholder orientation, conscious leadership, and conscious culture.
- demonstrate critical-thinking and problem-solving skills through the analysis of complex managerial trade-offs.
- synthesize insights from multiple business disciplines to formulate coherent strategies and adaptive responses.
- reflect on personal leadership development, decision-making style, and the impact of ethical and conscious leadership in organizational contexts.
- communicate findings and insights effectively in a professional written report, supported by logical reasoning and coherent analysis.
Evaluation
Your grade will be based on the successful completion of three written assignments and the simulation, evaluated on a pass/fail basis:
| Activity | Weight |
|---|---|
| Completion of the Marketplace Simulation rounds (i.e., Quarters 1–6) | Pass/Fail |
| Capstone Project Proposal (Week 1) | Pass/Fail |
| Interim Progress Report (Week 5) | Pass/Fail |
| Final Project Report (Week 10) | Pass/Fail |
To receive a passing grade in this course, you must meet these minimum standards:
- Complete all rounds of the simulation.
- Receive a Pass on all three written deliverables (Proposal, Interim Report, Final Report).
- Submit your Marketplace Simulation certification.
- Meet deadlines as specified.
Materials
Digital course materials
Links to the following course materials will be made available in the course:
Cadotte, E. R. (2019). Marketplace Simulations: Conscious Capitalism Bikes [Simulation game]. Marketplace Simulations. https://hbsp.harvard.edu/product/MP0017-HTM-ENG
All additional materials—including articles on conscious capitalism, simulation guides, and reflective writing resources—are available online through the Digital Reading Room (DRR) in Brightspace.
ÌÇÐÄÔ´´ reserves the right to amend course outlines occasionally and without notice. Courses offered by other delivery modes may vary from their individualized study counterparts.
Updated May 20, 2026