Postgraduate Course: Consultancy Project (MBA) (CMSE11224)
Course Outline
| School | Business School |
College | College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) |
Availability | Not available to visiting students |
| SCQF Credits | 10 |
ECTS Credits | 5 |
| Summary | This course aims to develop a critical understanding of the nature of management consultancy and to develop professional consulting skills through practical application. |
| Course description |
This course has been developed for those MBA participants who are likely to embark on a consulancy-based Capstone Project and/or consultancy career. The course critically examines the role, importance, principles and tools of management consultancy and, through a team-based applied project with an external client, provides an opportunity to practice and enhance the skills required for effective project delivery and professional client engagement. The course incorporates a series of lectures, workshops and case discussions exploring: the nature of consulting - purpose and challenges; consulting practice and the management consultancy profession; the consulting cycle; critical processes and administration - terms of reference, NDAs, engagement records; professional conduct and codes; behavioural dynamics and facilitation in consulting; communicaton; and project planning and management (quality, time, cost).
Student Learning Experience
Alongside lectures, workshops and case discussions, students embark on a practical consultancy assignment over a three week period within multi-cultural teams, guided and supervised by an experienced consultant. Students deliver a report and presentation to their clients on completion of the engagement. The consultancy projects will vary from year to year, depending on business needs, and they can cover any aspect of management. They may be located in any commercial, industrial, public sector or non-profit organisation.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | For Business School PG students only, or by special permission of the School. Please contact the course secretary. |
Course Delivery Information
| Not being delivered |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Critically appraise the value and challenges of management consultancy for organisations.
- Develop and articulate a clear, appropriate and ethical methodology that is fesible in delivering to quality, time and budget requirements.
- Identify relevant and critical data, apply appropriate analytical techniques, make sound judgements based on the available evidence and draw out reasoned conclusions and recommendations.
- Evaluate alternative courses of action that could be taken by an organisation to solve a management problem.
- Demonstrate effective team, communication, engagement and project management skills.
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Reading List
O'Mahoney, J (2010) Management Consultancy, OUP
Biggs, D (2010) Management Consulting: A Guide for Students, South-Western
Saunders, M, Lewis, P, Thornhill A (2012) Research Methods for Business Students, 6th Edition, FT Prentice Hall |
Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Graduate Attributes and Skills
1. Ability to build a professional client relationship.
2. Undertake research in a responsible manner which treats stakeholders with respect and in accordance with professional codes of conduct.
3. Ability to be flexible and adaptable, recognising when stakeholder interests or circumstances warrant a change of approach.
4. Ability to work effectively in a multi-cultural team, accommodating different perspectives and planning individual contributions in order to deliver project goals.
5. Ability to present clearly and persuasively and respond appropriately to questions which may challenge assumptions, evidence and conclusions.
6. Ability to plan and implement a major project within time and cost constraints. |
| Keywords | Consultancy Project Management Engagement |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Prof Susan Murphy
Tel: (01316)51 5548
Email: |
Course secretary | Mrs Angela Muir
Tel: (0131 6)51 3854
Email: |
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