Effective capstone projects share several characteristics that maximize both learning outcomes and organizational value.
1.1 Project Planning and Alignment
Strategic Alignment
- Align capstone projects with organizational Key Results (OKRs) to increase business relevance
- Connect project outcomes to strategic business priorities that executives genuinely value
- Balance personal interests with organizational needs for optimal engagement
Clear Scope and Objectives
- Identify a real-world challenge or business need
- Define scope, objectives, and success metrics upfront
- Write a formal project proposal and problem statement
- Establish measurable outcomes that demonstrate impact
Timeline and Milestones
- Typical capstone projects last 6-12 weeks depending on breadth and depth
- MIT Sloan’s Analytics Capstone runs 7 months for comprehensive industry projects
- Structure projects with clear milestones and checkpoints
- Build in time for iteration and refinement
1.2 Demonstrating Business Impact
According to a 2025 NACE survey, nearly 90% of employers seek evidence that students can effectively solve problems. To demonstrate impact:
- Quantify outcomes: Show measurable results tied to business values
- Establish baselines: Compare performance against what would have occurred without the project
- Document the “why”: Focus on purpose and impact, not just deliverables
- Create portfolio-ready artifacts: Develop tangible examples to showcase in interviews
1.3 Industry Best Practices
Leading programs emphasize:
| Practice | Description |
|---|---|
| Real-world application | Work on actual business problems, not hypothetical scenarios |
| Cross-functional collaboration | Engage with multiple teams and stakeholders |
| Mentor guidance | Receive support from experienced practitioners |
| Presentation and communication | Culminate in final presentations and deliverables |
| Portfolio building | Create artifacts that demonstrate job-readiness |
Legal Intern Best Practices Series
This is Part 1 of a 10-part series on best practices for designing capstone projects for legal interns at AI companies.
- Part 1: Best Practices for Intern Capstone Projects (You are here)
- Part 2: Leveraging Legal Expertise in AI Company Settings
- Part 3: Intersection of Law and AI
- Part 4: Successful Examples of Legal-Tech Intern Projects
- Part 5: Skills Development Goals
- Part 6: Project Scoping and Mentorship
- Part 7: Deliverable Formats
- Part 8: Evaluation Criteria
- Part 9: Specific Project Ideas
- Part 10: Resources and References