Top 20 MBA HR Project Ideas and Topics for 2025
Updated on Feb 06, 2025 | 16 min read | 287.1k views
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Updated on Feb 06, 2025 | 16 min read | 287.1k views
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MBA HR project ideas and topics are a unique opportunity for students like you to dive into the practical applications of human resource management principles. These projects not only bridge the gap between theory and practice but also prepare you to tackle real-world HR challenges — like optimizing recruitment strategies, fostering diversity, and balancing the dynamic shift toward remote work environments.
With workplaces constantly evolving due to technological advancements, a focus on diversity, and the demand for flexible work options, choosing the HR project topics for MBA is more important than ever. Selecting a topic that resonates with current workplace issues and future trends can set you apart in the job market and deepen your expertise in critical HR areas.
Click here to read more about What is Human Resource Management?
When it comes to MBA HR project ideas, the options are endless, and each one offers unique insights into the world of human resources. From analyzing AI-driven recruitment to exploring hybrid work models, these projects cater to every corner of HR — recruitment, training, and analytics. Get ready to make a splash with a project that stands out.
Ready to find your perfect project? Read on!
Here’s a list of impactful MBA HR project ideas to inspire you, along with details on each topic’s difficulty level and the HR area it addresses.
HR Project Topics for MBA |
Difficulty Level |
HR Area |
Evaluating the Effectiveness of Employee Referral Programs |
Beginner |
Recruitment and Talent Acquisition |
Impact of Work-Life Balance Initiatives on Employee Retention |
Beginner |
Employee Engagement and Retention |
Measuring the Impact of DEI Initiatives on Workplace Culture |
Beginner |
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) |
HR Metrics for Measuring the ROI of Employee Training Programs |
Beginner |
HR Analytics |
AI-Driven Recruitment Tools: Enhancing Efficiency and Reducing Bias |
Intermediate |
Recruitment and Talent Acquisition |
Strategies to Improve Employee Retention in High-Turnover Industries |
Intermediate |
Employee Engagement and Retention |
360-Degree Feedback: Analyzing Its Impact on Employee Performance |
Intermediate |
Performance Management |
Transition from Annual Performance Reviews to Continuous Feedback Systems |
Intermediate |
Performance Management |
Addressing Gender Pay Gap Through HR Policy Reforms |
Intermediate |
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) |
Predictive HR Analytics for Workforce Planning |
Intermediate |
HR Analytics |
Implementing Hybrid Work Models for Improved Employee Productivity and Satisfaction |
Intermediate |
Workplace Culture and Employee Engagement |
Exploring Flexible Benefits Packages: Enhancing Employee Satisfaction and Retention |
Intermediate |
Compensation and Benefits |
Employee Advocacy Programs: Building Brand Loyalty from Within |
Intermediate |
Engagement |
Impact of Mental Health Initiatives on Employee Productivity and Workplace Culture |
Intermediate |
Employee Well-being |
Cross-Generational Collaboration: Strategies for Bridging the Generation Gap in the Workplace |
Intermediate |
Work Environment |
Role of Gamification in Attracting Millennial Talent |
Advanced |
Recruitment and Talent Acquisition |
Building a Sustainable Employee Engagement Model in Remote Work Environments |
Advanced |
Employee Engagement and Retention |
Using Data Analytics to Predict and Enhance Employee Performance |
Advanced |
Performance Management |
Creating Inclusive Workspaces: A Study on Neurodiversity in the Workplace |
Advanced |
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) |
The Role of Virtual Reality in Corporate Training and Development |
Advanced |
Training and Development |
Also Read: Top 10 Human Resource Challenges in 2024 & How To Solve Them?
This beginner-level project is perfect for first-year college students exploring MBA HR project ideas, particularly in Recruitment and Talent Acquisition. Employee referral programs are widely adopted by companies to bring in top talent, leveraging employees’ networks for hiring.
The objective of this project is clear. Assess the value and effectiveness of employee referral programs from a recruitment perspective.
In addition to its clear purpose, this project has exciting features. You can explore recruitment strategies and apply a data-driven approach to HR practices.
Ready to lead with data-backed strategies? Elevate your skills with UpGrad’s MBA in Strategic Data-Driven Management Course.
Many companies find referrals to reduce recruitment costs and bring candidates who understand the company culture better than external hires. Here’s what referral programs typically achieve.
Referral Program Benefits |
Description |
Faster Hiring Process |
Referred candidates join faster due to known references. |
Cost-Effective Recruitment |
Reduced job posting and advertising expenses. |
Higher Retention Rates |
Referred employees often stay longer, reducing turnover. |
Enhanced Employer Branding |
Strong internal networks boost the company’s reputation. |
Here are some real-world examples.
This beginner-level project, ideal for first-year college students, addresses Employee Engagement and Retention. With work-life balance becoming a top priority for employees worldwide, exploring its impact on retention offers a practical, relevant approach to understanding employee motivation and engagement.
The project’s objective is to examine how work-life balance initiatives affect employee retention rates. It explores key factors driving the link between a healthy work-life balance and improved job satisfaction.
Here's a look at types of initiatives and their impact.
Focusing on features that make this project unique, it allows you to dive into a relevant topic while learning how to measure and interpret HR data. Here are the project features.
Project Features |
Description |
Real-World Relevance |
Mirrors current HR trends in work-life balance policies. |
Data Collection & Analysis |
Collect and interpret retention and engagement metrics. |
Comparative Analysis |
Compare retention rates pre- and post-policy implementation. |
Survey Design |
Create employee satisfaction surveys to capture qualitative data. |
Practical Implications |
Offer actionable insights for companies to improve employee engagement. |
Also Read: The 5 Best Ways for Employee Engagement!
To bring this idea into real-world perspective, many companies have successfully improved employee satisfaction and retention with flexible work policies. Here are some of them.
This is one of the most innovative MBA HR project ideas for first-year students, and it focuses on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). Understanding how these DEI initiatives reshape workplace dynamics provides you with an insightful look into how businesses can create meaningful change.
The project’s objective is simple. Examine how DEI initiatives affect the workplace environment. Here are the other objectives.
Also Read: Transformational Leadership in Diversity and Inclusion
By exploring key project features, you gain a hands-on understanding of how DEI initiatives are implemented, measured, and refined. This practical approach emphasizes real-world applicability.
Here’s a snapshot of DEI fundamentals, measurement tools, and examples.
DEI Aspect |
Definition |
Example Initiatives |
Diversity |
Valuing diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and identities |
Diverse hiring practices, mentorship for minorities |
Equity |
Ensuring fair treatment, resources, and opportunities |
Pay equity audits, equitable promotion policies |
Inclusion |
Fostering a culture where every voice feels respected and included |
Inclusive team-building activities, feedback channels |
Metrics for Measuring |
Tools like employee surveys, retention rates, and engagement metrics |
DEI satisfaction surveys, participation in ERGs |
Salesforce is a real-life example where DEI initiatives are core to workplace culture. By consistently measuring the impact of these efforts, Salesforce has cultivated an inclusive culture and improved employee satisfaction. Here’s what Salesforce does.
This beginner-level project, suitable for first-year students, is centered on HR Analytics. This project investigates how HR metrics can effectively measure the return on investment (ROI) for employee training programs, a critical tool in modern HR analytics.
Ready to add data analytics to your HR toolkit? Enroll in UpGrad’s HR Analytics Course and stand out in your career!
The objective of this project is to explore various HR metrics, including the following.
This project offers you an insightful look into HR metrics, helping you to identify the numbers behind training effectiveness. It includes the following.
Here are some of the most relevant metrics and methods to calculate training ROI.
Metric |
Description |
Calculation |
Cost per Trainee |
Total cost of training divided by attendees |
Training Costs / Number of Participants |
Post-Training Productivity |
Measures output increase post-training |
Post-Training Productivity - Pre-Training Productivity |
Employee Retention Rate |
Tracks retention changes post-training |
(Employees Retained Post-Training / Total Employees Trained) x 100 |
Engagement Scores |
Tracks changes in employee satisfaction post-training |
Engagement Survey Results Pre & Post-Training |
In real-life scenarios, the following companies extensively use HR metrics to assess the ROI of training programs.
This intermediate-level project, perfect for second-year students, dives into Recruitment and Talent Acquisition. As AI tools grow more sophisticated, they’re transforming hiring processes — making recruitment faster and, ideally, fairer.
This project’s objectives are as follows.
Also Read: What is Business Ethics and Why is it Important?
Here, examine the features of this project that will help you gain exposure to AI applications.
Here’s a look at the role of AI in recruitment, popular tools, and a case study on bias reduction.
Aspect |
Description |
Examples / Tools |
Automating Screening |
Uses algorithms to filter applications based on skill |
HireVue, Pymetrics |
Reducing Bias |
Removes personal identifiers in CVs |
Textio, TalVista |
Efficiency |
AI-driven chatbots for initial candidate engagement |
Mya, X0PA AI |
Case Study |
Unilever’s AI tools for inclusive hiring |
Reduced time-to-hire and increased diversity |
Here’s how some leading companies leverage these tools.
You can also upskill in AI and Machine Learning through cutting-edge UpGrad’s courses.
This intermediate-level project, ideal for second-year students, tackles Employee Engagement and Retention. High-turnover industries — like retail, hospitality, and healthcare — face persistent staffing issues, with employees leaving faster than they can be replaced.
Here are the objectives of this project.
In terms of project features, students will gain an in-depth look at diverse retention methods that companies use to create a more engaged workforce. Here are a few of them.
Here’s a breakdown of the top challenges, successful strategies, and the measurable impacts these approaches have on employee retention.
Aspect |
Description |
Examples / Strategies |
Retention Challenges |
High stress, low pay, limited career advancement |
Addressed through better financial incentives |
Retention Strategies |
Leadership programs, skill-based promotions |
|
Impact Analysis |
Retention rates pre- and post-intervention |
Employee surveys, turnover rate comparison |
Looking to fast-track your career growth? Join UpGrad's Career Acceleration program and start your journey to success today!
Here are some real-world examples that show how leading companies are using tailored retention strategies to lower their turnover rates and improve employee satisfaction.
This intermediate-level project, tailored for second-year students, delves into Performance Management. The 360-degree feedback model provides comprehensive insights by collecting feedback from all levels — managers, peers, subordinates, and even self-assessments.
This project’s objective is to analyze how 360-degree feedback influences employee performance and development. Some major objectives of this project include the following.
Here are the project features.
Here’s a summary of its benefits and drawbacks.
Aspect |
Description |
(+) Benefits / (-) Drawbacks |
Source Diversity |
Feedback from multiple sources adds depth |
+ Well-rounded perspective -Can create stress |
Self-Awareness |
Improves insight into strengths and weaknesses |
+Enhanced self-awareness -Can lower morale if negative |
Performance Impact |
Goal alignment with continuous feedback |
+Improved performance -High implementation cost |
In real-world applications, many companies have successfully implemented 360-degree feedback to boost employee performance and promote a culture of accountability. Here are a few examples.
This intermediate-level project, ideal for second-year students, addresses Performance Management and explores the growing trend of replacing annual performance reviews with continuous feedback systems.
The objective of this project is to analyze how continuous feedback impacts employee performance and engagement compared to annual performance reviews.
Shifting from annual performance reviews to continuous feedback involves key project features that highlight its transformative nature. Here are some features.
Below is an overview of the benefits and challenges of both approaches.
Aspect |
Annual Reviews |
Continuous Feedback |
Frequency |
Once or twice a year |
Ongoing, real-time |
Employee Development |
Often delayed feedback |
Immediate, actionable feedback |
Engagement |
Limited engagement |
Higher employee engagement |
Implementation Costs |
Lower overall costs |
Potentially higher (software, training) |
Performance Improvement |
Slow response to feedback |
Quick adjustments, faster growth |
Also Read: Top 7 Decision-Making Skills Every MBA Student Must Know
Some of the real-world examples are mentioned here.
This intermediate-level project is perfect for second-year students interested in the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) field. It’s no secret that the gender pay gap remains a persistent challenge globally.
The objectives of this project are as follows.
This project includes the following critical features.
The following table summarizes its primary drivers and examples of impactful HR reforms.
Aspect |
Key Drivers |
HR Reforms |
Recruitment Practices |
Bias in starting salaries |
Implement structured salary ranges |
Promotion Gaps |
Fewer promotion opportunities for women |
Establish fair, transparent promotion policies |
Performance Rewards |
Gender bias in performance review ratings |
Use objective performance metrics |
Pay Audits |
Lack of regular pay equity analysis |
Conduct annual gender pay audits |
In the real world, several companies have adopted gender pay reforms as mentioned below.
This intermediate project is ideal for second-year students interested in HR Analytics and exploring strategic workforce planning. Predictive HR analytics is more than a trend — it's a revolutionary approach in HR that leverages data to forecast future workforce needs.
The project’s objective is to understand the following.
Want to read more about workforce planning and management? Click on the link to read more about Workforce Management – Process, Job Responsibilities, Benefits
This project includes valuable features as follows.
Curious how data visualization can boost your career? Start with UpGrad’s Introduction to Tableau Course today!
The table below introduces some of the essential tools and examples of successful analytics-based planning.
Predictive Analytics Aspect |
Key Tools |
Example Use |
Turnover Prediction |
Python, SPSS, Excel |
Forecast high-turnover roles |
Skill Gap Analysis |
Tableau, Power BI |
Identify emerging skill requirements |
Demand Forecasting |
R, Python, Workforce Planning software |
Plan for seasonal staffing needs |
Retention Models |
Google Analytics, Python |
Predict retention rates |
Also Read: How to Use Google Analytics: Comprehensive Guide For Beginners
Many companies – listed below – have already embraced predictive analytics.
Want to master these analytics skills? Explore UpGrad’s Software Development courses, designed to advance your HR analytics expertise.
This project is designed for second-year students at the intermediate level, addressing Workplace Culture and Employee Engagement. Hybrid work models are fast becoming the norm, offering a dynamic mix of on-site and remote work options tailored to modern workforce expectations.
This project aims to clarify the following objectives.
As companies strive to adapt, a well-structured hybrid model project will cover several critical features.
This table highlights the core aspects of a successful hybrid setup, with real-life implementation examples.
Aspect of Hybrid Work |
Steps to Implement |
Impact on Employees |
Work Schedule Flexibility |
Offer personalized work schedules |
Increases satisfaction and reduces burnout |
Technology & Collaboration Tools |
Invest in remote-friendly tech |
Enhances communication and work efficiency |
Performance Metrics |
Set clear, objective performance goals |
Ensures accountability and productivity |
Team Bonding & Culture |
Schedule regular in-person meetings |
Maintains company culture and team cohesion |
The post-pandemic era introduced a new wave of hybrid work success stories as follows.
Designed for intermediate second-year students, this project tackles the Compensation and Benefits area by examining the impact of flexible benefits packages on employee satisfaction and retention.
This project’s objectives are straightforward.
The features of this project are both informative and practical.
Here’s an overview of flexible benefits components and their influence on retention and satisfaction.
Flexible Benefit Option |
Description |
Impact on Satisfaction |
Health Insurance Choices |
Different plans for different needs |
Allows personalization, boosting loyalty |
Flexible Work Hours |
Options for part-time or flexible hours |
Reduces burnout, supports work-life balance |
Paid Time Off Flexibility |
Customize leave for personal use |
Enhances freedom and control for employees |
Learning and Development |
Employee-directed training options |
Improves engagement and skill-building |
Real-world applications of flexible benefits are plentiful and enlightening.
This project, ideal for second-year college students, delves into the Engagement area, specifically through employee advocacy programs, exploring how companies foster brand loyalty by empowering their employees to act as authentic brand ambassadors.
Now, have a look at this project’s objectives.
Here’s a closer look at the project’s features.
Below is a table summarizing core program components and their brand impact.
Advocacy Element |
Description |
Brand Impact |
Social Media Sharing |
Employees share branded content online |
Amplifies reach and brand visibility |
Internal Brand Training |
Educates employees on brand values |
Ensures consistent brand messaging |
Recognition & Rewards |
Incentivizes employees for brand advocacy |
Encourages participation and loyalty |
Content Creation |
Employees contribute content ideas |
Adds authenticity to brand storytelling |
As you advance through this project, you’ll also observe real-world cases as mentioned below.
This project, an intermediate-level endeavor for second-year college students, delves into the vital area of Employee Well-being. By focusing on how mental health initiatives can transform productivity and workplace culture, you will gain insights into one of the most impactful HR fields today.
The project emphasizes core objectives such as the following.
Here are the key features this project outlines.
Here’s a table that outlines real-life examples of programs that have proven effective.
Initiative Type |
Example Programs |
Impact on Culture and Productivity |
Counseling Access |
24/7 mental health hotline |
Reduced stress and absenteeism |
Flexible Scheduling |
Mental health days and remote options |
Boosted morale and engagement |
On-site Support |
Wellness workshops and activities |
Increased team cohesion and positive culture |
Case studies illustrate companies that have made mental health a priority and have seen remarkable results.
This project, designed for second-year college students, addresses a critical aspect of the Work Environment area by focusing on strategies to enhance collaboration between different generations in the workplace.
Here are the specific objectives.
Key features include the following.
The following table outlines typical collaboration strategies and the outcomes they can generate.
Strategy |
Description |
Impact on Collaboration |
Mentorship Programs |
Pairing junior and senior employees |
Knowledge transfer and engagement |
Flexible Work Policies |
Allowing remote/hybrid options |
Increases retention across ages |
Training on Tech Tools |
Training less tech-savvy employees |
Boosts productivity and confidence |
Team-Building Exercises |
Group activities to build camaraderie |
Fosters mutual respect and trust |
Here are some real life examples.
This advanced project is perfect if you are a second-year student exploring MBA HR project ideas. It delves into Recruitment and Talent Acquisition using a unique approach: gamification. As companies battle to attract millennial talent, gamification has emerged as a compelling, tech-forward strategy that appeals to a generation highly familiar with interactive and engaging digital experiences.
The main objective of this project is to understand the following.
The core features of the project are as mentioned below.
This table provides a snapshot of popular gamification strategies and the insights they yield.
Gamification Strategy |
Description |
Recruitment Benefits |
Role-Playing Games (RPGs) |
Simulations that assess problem-solving |
Reveals candidate's decision-making |
Quiz Challenges |
Short quizzes for skill and personality |
Identifies knowledge and personality |
Point and Badge Systems |
Rewards for task completion or progress |
Boosts engagement and motivation |
Scenario-Based Games |
Real-life work situations |
Assesses adaptability and behavior |
Real life examples include the following.
This advanced project is designed for second-year college students. This is perfect if you are looking for impactful MBA HR project ideas in Employee Engagement and Retention. With remote work taking over the corporate landscape, keeping employees engaged from afar is a challenge that even the most experienced HR professionals grapple with.
The objectives here are straightforward.
Here’s what the project includes.
Now, to tackle the real heart of the matter, what makes remote engagement tricky? Remote work introduces a unique set of engagement obstacles, from potential isolation to the difficulty of team cohesion. Consider these components.
Challenge |
Solution |
Tools |
Lack of Face-to-Face Interaction |
Virtual coffee chats, weekly team syncs |
Zoom, Microsoft Teams |
Loss of Team Spirit |
Regular virtual events, team-based goals |
Donut, Slack channels |
Communication Gaps |
Asynchronous updates, clear guidelines |
Notion, Asana, Trello |
Also Read: Leadership Potential: Skills, Qualities, and Strategies for Success
Many companies are already leading the way in remote engagement, proving it can be done sustainably.
If you are exploring MBA HR project ideas, this advanced-level project delves into the complexities of performance management. It’s a perfect choice for second-year students aiming for in-depth HR insights. In the age of big data, HR professionals are increasingly leveraging analytics to refine and enhance employee performance.
The main goal here is to develop an HR project that showcases how data-driven insights can optimize workforce performance. This project focuses on the following.
Moving to the project features, you will delve into the following features.
Here’s a table on what this project explores.
Aspect of HR Analytics |
Purpose |
Tools |
Predictive Analytics |
Forecast future performance and retention risks |
IBM Watson, SAP SuccessFactors |
Sentiment Analysis |
Measure employee satisfaction and engagement |
Microsoft Power BI, Tableau |
Employee Productivity Tracking |
Track and analyze productivity patterns |
Google Analytics, Zoho People |
Data-Driven Feedback |
Provide actionable, data-based feedback |
Qualtrics, Lattice |
Some companies are already utilizing analytics to drive performance enhancement. Consider these real-life use cases.
For an advanced project that dives into performance management and data analytics, consider upskilling with UpGrad’s data and machine learning courses. Enhance your understanding of predictive analytics, sentiment analysis, and data-driven feedback to create impactful, real-world HR solutions.
This advanced-level project is ideal for second-year college students seeking MBA HR project ideas focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. With the increasing awareness of neurodiversity and its importance in the workplace, this project offers a unique dive into DEI strategies focused on supporting neurodivergent employees.
The core objective here is to create a model for inclusive workspaces, a valuable addition to your MBA HR project ideas, where neurodiverse individuals feel supported and valued. This project centers on the following.
Building from this, the project offers the following essential features that enhance an understanding of workplace inclusivity.
The following breakdown explores the basics and advantages of neurodiverse teams.
Neurodiversity Overview |
Benefits to Teams |
Example Company |
Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia |
Increased creativity, attention to detail, pattern recognition |
SAP’s Autism at Work program |
Broader Cognitive Spectrum |
Enhanced innovation, diverse problem-solving abilities |
Microsoft’s Neurodiversity Hiring Program |
Flexibility and Inclusion |
Higher employee retention, morale, and engagement |
EY’s Neurodiversity Center of Excellence |
Here are some companies making strides.
Looking to deepen your expertise in Human Resource Management? Enroll in UpGrad’s MBA in HR Management program and elevate your HR career.
This advanced-level project offers second-year college students an innovative option among MBA HR project ideas, focusing on virtual reality (VR) in the training and development field. VR technology has reshaped corporate training, taking employee learning experiences to new heights by offering immersive, hands-on simulations.
In short, this project is designed to equip you with a working model for integrating VR in corporate training. Here are the objectives.
Moving on to specific features, this project will introduce students to the practical components of VR training implementation. Here are some of them.
This table below outlines the uses and advantages of VR in corporate training, along with examples of real companies leveraging it.
Training Use Case |
Benefits |
Soft Skills Development |
Enhanced retention through real-world practice |
Safety and Compliance Training |
Low-risk environment to practice critical skills |
Technical Skills Improvement |
Interactive, hands-on learning experience |
Want to improve your soft skills? Get enrolled with UpGrad’s free Soft Skills Courses and enhance your career.
The real-world use of VR in training continues to expand, with impressive examples illustrating its advantages.
Choosing the perfect HR project topics for an MBA is more than a checkbox on a syllabus. It’s a decision that shapes career direction and reflects an understanding of both current HR challenges and future trends. Selecting the right topic means you’re not only completing a course requirement but also laying the groundwork for your professional expertise.
Starting with relevance, think of your project as a bridge to your future career goals.
Tip 1: Relevance to Career Goals
An MBA HR project aligned with your goals boosts your career edge. Choose impactful MBA HR project ideas that highlight your passion and expertise.
Tip 2: Alignment with Industry Trends and HR Challenges
For future-ready MBA HR project ideas, choose a topic that showcases your insight into industry shifts.
Tip 3: Feasibility of Data Collection and Research
Some HR project topics for MBA are too complex or lack accessible data, making research difficult. Choose a topic with feasible data collection requirements, or you risk running into roadblocks.
Enhance your data skills with UpGrad's Data Science courses to stay ahead in the digital era.
Tip 4: Project Scope (Size, Duration, Complexity)
Overly complex HR project topics for MBA can lead to burnout, while a shallow one might seem unimpressive. Find a balance by considering how much time and depth the project demands.
In a world where MBA HR project ideas are as plentiful as the challenges in modern HR, choosing the right one can seem impossible. But with a sharp eye on industry trends, a focus on your career goals, and a pinch of strategic thinking, you can turn HR project topics for MBA into a fast-track for professional success.
Ready to stand out? UpGrad’s specialized courses equip you with cutting-edge tools, practical insights, and real-world projects tailored to boost your HR expertise. Dive in, master the art of impactful HR, and position yourself as the go-to problem-solver in the field.
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