The GMU MIS 491 team provided EngineeRD with a playbook for automating human resources and sales processes. The Client's Need was to bring out greater efficiency of their small workforce to scale up the company’s clientele while remaining lean and more of a personal contractor for their client’s needs. The GMU MIS 491 Solution / Recommendation Delivery included using currently subscribed apps, such as Microsoft Power Automate, to program solutions and develop an interface that will perform tasks with as few clicks as possible; Taking into consideration that the solution should be simple to develop for novice back-end programmers and simple to interact for front-end users; and Making a solution that will be easy to train and modular to expand or reuse elsewhere in the company.

"The GMU MIS 491 2022 Fall Semester team performed and delivered beyond their project charter, and I commend the students for their ability to learn, adapt and execute technical skills that I feel senior level professionals lack in industry. Even with the challenge of a reduced team, the assigned students this semester (Alex and Stephen) took on the responsibility to perform rapid requirement analysis, complex project planning, technical training, CI/CD design, development and delivery all within a 90-day exercise. In our industry, much larger consulting firms with years of professional experience would argue for more time, money, and resources to accomplish something as demanding but these students demonstrated a calm attitude, exceptional work ethic and contagious passion to get more done with less. Under the leadership of their instructor, the student’s final product and fully realized information system, showed that externships can be a rewarding investment and an excellent partnership between institutions like GMU School of Business and Industry.

As a fast growing startup founder and GMU Volgenau alum, I encourage more organizations to take advantage of programs like MIS 491 where you get access to incredible student talent at the tail end of their collegiate journey, ready to collect practical skills and eager to contribute to business goals in return. I am grateful for the relationship with GMU and Professor Ngac. I encourage more partners to participate in future installments because they will save time, money and see measurable results."

- Rehan Mahmood | Chief Researcher | EngineeRD