Study information

Consultancy Project

Module titleConsultancy Project
Module codeBEMM811Z
Academic year2024/5
Credits30
Module staff

Dr Donald Lancaster (Convenor)

Duration: Term123
Duration: Weeks

10

Number students taking module (anticipated)

50

Module description

The Consultancy Project Module requires a significant management problem to be researched and understood from multiple perspectives, involving diverse application of learning from the online MBA programme to deliver a cogent, evidence-based, strategic managerial plan for ‘the Client’.

The module requires you to negotiate and clearly define an agreed project task, and then apply a range of frameworks from across your online MBA programme  to structure your analytical thinking, apply techniques to complete the required research, develop strategic recommendations and demonstrate effective communication skills in delivering the results to your client.

Module aims - intentions of the module

This will typically be the penultimate or last module in your programme – a ‘capstone’ that brings together, cements and applies knowledge, understanding and skills from the programme. 

This module develops an understanding of the principles, tools and processes involved in consulting through a ‘hands-on’ live project with an external organisation aimed at addressing a real issue set by that organisation. It is a practical experience designed to consolidate knowledge and learning from across the MBA, to develop research, consultancy and other transferable problem-solving skills.

The module is organised around an individual ‘live’ consultancy assignment with a real client: while this client may be your employer, you can source an external client yourself or seek support with from the Business School. In some circumstances the Consultancy Project  project can be linked to a new venture creation.  The learning involves enacting research and developing evidence-based strategy to develop the proposal into an actionable, managerial plan; or may elect to source a new managerial problem from within or without their employer organisation on which to build this consultancy project.  Each project needs approval from the Programme Director (see below).

The module requires you to work with your client as if you are a consultant – whether or not you work with your own organisation or a 3rd party client. You’ll negotiate and clearly define an agreed project task, and then apply a range of frameworks from across your MBA to structure your analytical thinking, apply techniques to complete the required research, develop strategic recommendations and demonstrate effective communication skills in delivering the results to your client.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

  • 1. scope a project and design a proposal. This involves being able to plan, manage and complete a consulting project to a client brief and timescale.
  • 2. determine appropriate methodologies for analysis, evaluation, and structured strategic thinking, alongside techniques for effective project management – specifically addressing the ethical aspects of data collection, research, and consulting.
  • 3. synthesise from across MBA disciplines to locate the theories, models, and concepts relevant to the client brief – mindful of the demands of global business and society more generally.

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

  • 4. conduct effective research into applied issues (including deciding on appropriate data collection methods, analysis, and interpretation) and generate insights to inform recommendations
  • 5. manage stakeholders at all levels and across disciplines of project management, delivering rigour and relevance in all communications.
  • 6. work with a collaborative mind-set: give and receive feedback at multiple levels in a confident and respectful manner. Work inclusively to research, explore and prepare a persuasive argument against an assignment or client brief.

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

  • 7. determine appropriate research methods, techniques and practice with which to generate insights to inform strategic recommendations
  • 8. apply creative intelligence and ethical imagination to complex problems to ensure that environmental and social governance is taken into account.
  • 9. Generate, present and defend strategic critical analyses in relevant forms (eg written, verbal, digital) based on client brief, requirements and your empirical research.

Syllabus plan

The module will include workshops aimed at promoting key competencies and transferrable skills. Aside from the Project Process workshop, the following two workshops will look at:

  • Project scoping and research design.
  • Research methods: data collection and analysis
  • Key competencies for effective consulting, and the role of a consultant.
  • The process and cycle of consulting.
  • Understanding client needs; appreciative inquiry; understanding the client organisation - stakeholders and the systems perspective.
  • Project management issues; causes of success and failure.
  • Consulting processes, negotiation and problem-solving.

Following the three workshops, you will submit a Consultancy/Research Proposal as the first part of the summative assessment. This outlines the project scope, Client context and a description of their problem, your aims and objectives, theoretical/academic topics to be invoked, a summary of relevant academic literature, your putative research question(s), likely methodology, a timeline and ethical considerations.  A template will be provided. It is acceptable and somewhat expected that the proposal may evolve through the course of the project, in consultation with your academic advisor and your client.

Once underway, you will have meetings with an academic project advisor to discuss progress. Most of the learning will be completed as an independent, self-managed study. You are expected to spend significant independent study time on the research and will have time with an academic advisor (either face-to-face, virtually or via email).

IMPORTANT: Your project report is mostly used for academic assessment purposes and may differ from the key deliverables requested by the client organisation, e.g., the client may not want to see your report but may ask you for a PowerPoint presentation, some visuals or the output for the client may consist of a strategic and/or business plan.

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Scheduled Learning and Teaching ActivitiesGuided independent studyPlacement / study abroad
342660

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

CategoryHours of study timeDescription
Scheduled Learning and Teaching34Workshops
Guided Independent study266Conducting consultancy, research and report writing

Formative assessment

Form of assessmentSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Consultancy / Research proposal3 pages1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 9Verbal, and/or written as appopriate
Review of project plan and report structure 1 hour1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 9Verbal and/or written as appropriate
Draft chapter critique2 hours4, 6, 8 (depending on chapter)Written

Summative assessment (% of credit)

CourseworkWritten examsPractical exams
10000

Details of summative assessment

Form of assessment% of creditSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Project proposal103 pages, per template1,7,8Written/discussed
Written report9010,000 words (+/- 10%) plus additional supporting materials1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10Grade and written

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Original form of assessmentForm of re-assessmentILOs re-assessedTimescale for re-assessment
Project proposal (10%)Project Proposal (3 pages)1,7,8Next re-assessment window
Written report (90%)Written report (9000 words)1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9Next re-assessment window

Re-assessment notes

The re-assessment will involve resubmission of a revised version of the written report.

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

Basic reading:

Links can be found on the module resource page:

https://rl.talis.com/3/exeter/lists/446FC177-FA68-B4CD-E6F0-46BEEFE156A3.html

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

Key words search

Consultancy; research

Credit value30
Module ECTS

15

Module pre-requisites

None

Module co-requisites

None

NQF level (module)

7

Available as distance learning?

Yes

Origin date

01/09/2023

Last revision date

04/06/2024