Project Title: A Strategic Exploration of Battery Mineral Value Chains for Sustainable Innovation (Tucson, AZ)

Caterpillar Inc

Details
Project Title A Strategic Exploration of Battery Mineral Value Chains for Sustainable Innovation (Tucson, AZ)
Project Topics Corporate Social Responsibility Growth Strategy Product Design & Development Purchasing, Logistics, Supply Chain
Skills & Expertise
Project Synopsis: Challenge/Opportunity
Gain insights into the value chain of top battery minerals. Caterpillar's clients increasingly demand products which satisfy environmental factors, in additional to traditional productivity and cost factors, to align with those customers' Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) objectives. As noted in Caterpillar's Investor Day 2022 presentation, Caterpillar is actively working to adapt to these changing demands. One initiative related to this adapation is expanding knowledge about key inputs to battery development as compared to its history with internal combustion engines.The primary objective is to improve the knowledge of company leaders in the Resource Industries (mining) segment regarding the value chain for battery minerals. By doing so, we aim to improve their understanding in support better decision-making in development and implementation of future products to meet customers' needs.
Project Synopsis: Activities/Actions Required
  1. Research Battery Types and Chemistries: Conduct thorough research on various types of batteries and their respective chemistries. Understand the minerals required to produce these batteries considering their varying compositions and characteristics.
  2. Identify Key Customers and Mining Processes: Identify and analyze the key customers involved in mining the essential minerals for battery production. Explore their mining processes and understand the geographical locations of these mining operations.
  3. Examine the Value Chain: Delve into the value chain for each critical mineral used in battery production. Follow the entire journey of these minerals, from extraction at the mines to the final stages of battery development.
  4. Analyze Opportunities and Challenges: Thoroughly investigate the key opportunities within each value chain, such as potential growth areas, innovations, and market developments. Additionally, identify and assess the challenges faced at different stages of the value chains, including supply chain constraints and environmental impacts.Summarize Findings for 
  5. Leadership: Prepare concise and executive-level material summarizing all the research findings. This material should effectively communicate the insights gained, enabling Caterpillar's Resource Industries (mining) segment leaders to improve their decision-making in development and implementation of future products to meet customers' needs.
Project Synopsis: Expected Results
The first deliverable will be a comprehensive long-form report that addresses the research questions in detail, providing relevant and well-documented data sets, thorough analyses, and proper citations of all sources used. It will cater to discerning, technical users, guiding them through the study with clarity and depth.|
The second deliverable will be a short-term report explicitly tailored for company executives. Ideally, this report should be around 20 minutes long, focusing on brevity while retaining utmost clarity. The 20-minute presentation will include 10 minutes dedicated to addressing questions and clarifications. The report will be authored in a manner that allows it to be presented effectively, including speaker notes, while remaining easily understandable when read electronically.

Project Timeline

Caterpillar Inc - A Strategic Exploration of Battery Mineral Value Chains for Sustainable Innovation (Tucson, AZ)
Due Date
Activities
Deliverables
Status
Action
Wed, 01/11/23
12:00 AM UTC
Student Interterm Preferences Due
Required Evaluation
Evaluation submission is required.
Description:
Complete Interterm Preference Survey
Wed, 01/18/23
12:00 AM UTC
Students Project Matching Finalized
No Deliverables
No deliverables are required for this action item.
Location:
Virtual
Event Description:
Student teams are introduced to their client organizations 
Wed, 01/25/23
12:00 AM UTC
Upload Resume & Complete Profile
Required Deliverable
Required Deliverable
Deliverable submission is required.
Description:
Help your industry partners learn more about you!  Make sure to complete building out your profile and upload your resume!
Wed, 01/25/23
12:00 AM UTC
CONFIDENTIALITY
Required Deliverable
Required Deliverable
Deliverable submission is required.
Description:
Please download, sign, and upload the standard Statement of Confidentiality
Fri, 01/27/23
12:00 AM UTC
Deadline for Travel Arrangements
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Location:
Event Description:
Students must use Anthony Travel to organize travel and accommodations.
Mon, 01/30/23
12:00 AM UTC
Pre-Engagement Meetings Begin
No Deliverables
No deliverables are required for this action item.
Location:
Event Description:
Find time to meet virtually and discuss the project scope and expectations while on-site. Review supplemental resources so students can begin to get up-to-speed before their visit. 
Fri, 02/10/23
12:00 AM UTC
Pre-Kickoff Self Assessment Survey
Required Evaluation
Evaluation submission is required.
Mon, 03/06/23
12:00 AM UTC
Temperature Check (Student)
Required Evaluation
Evaluation submission is required.
Mon, 03/06/23
12:00 AM UTC
PROJECT KICKOFF
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No deliverables are required for this action item.
Location:
Event Description:
Students Arrive On-Site for Work.  Please schedule the project kickoff as early on Monday morning as possible in order to jumpstart the week. We recommend scheduling 45-minutes to 1-hour to host a kickoff meeting. Here's some recommendations on what you should cover!
Tue, 03/07/23
12:00 AM UTC
Temperature Check (Student)
Required Evaluation
Evaluation submission is required.
Tue, 03/07/23
12:00 AM UTC
Temperature Check (Industry Partner)
Required Evaluation
Evaluation submission is required.
Thu, 03/09/23
12:00 AM UTC
FINAL PRESENTATIONS!!
Required Deliverable
Required Deliverable
Deliverable submission is required.
Description:
Schedule time for the students to present their final insights.

STUDENTS: Please upload your final presentation.

INDUSTRY MENTORS: Please provide feedback through the form on the deliverable tab. 
Fri, 03/10/23
12:00 AM UTC
Post-Engagement Team-Assessment Form (Industry Partner)
Required Evaluation
Evaluation submission is required.
Fri, 03/10/23
12:00 AM UTC
Post-Engagement Peer-Assessment Form (Student)
Required Evaluation
Evaluation submission is required.
Fri, 03/10/23
12:00 AM UTC
Post-Engagement Self-Assessment Form (Student)
Required Evaluation
Evaluation submission is required.
Wed, 10/04/23
12:00 AM Africa/Abidjan (UTC-00:00)
Student Temperature Check
Required Evaluation
Evaluation submission is required.