NCHNAL6118 Consulting Fundamentals and Frameworks Course Descriptor

Course Summary

This course introduces students to the core managerial skills that are useful in all consultative roles. Content includes design of a basic consulting engagement and template for use in future business or consulting ventures. The course offers students an opportunity to learn critical and analytical thinking, how to challenge assumptions in an ongoing business, how to gain and exercise influence within both consulting firms and clients, as well as the business rationale for consulting (from a client company perspective).

Course Aims

• Introduce students to the framework of consulting best practices.
• Give students the tools to practice critical and analytical thinking skills in business.
• Train students on how to challenge assumptions in business.
• Give students the skills to gain influence in a professional setting.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

Knowledge and Understanding

Subject Specific Skills

Transferable and Professional Skills

Teaching and Learning

This is an e-learning course, taught throughout the year.

This course can be offered as a standalone short course.

Teaching and learning strategies for this course will include: 

• On-line learning
• On-line discussion groups
• On-line assessment

Course information and supplementary materials will be available on the University’s Virtual Learning Environment (VLE).

Students are required to attend and participate in all the formal and timetabled sessions for this course. Students are also expected to manage their self-directed learning and independent study in support of the course.

The course learning and teaching hours will be structured as follows:

• Learning and teaching (6 days x 8 hours) = 48 hours 
• Independent study = 102 hours 

Indicative total learning hours for this course: 150 hours 

Assignments (see below) will be completed as part of private study.

Assessment

Formative

Students will be formatively assessed during the course by means of set assignments. These will not count towards the final degree but will provide students with developmental feedback. 

Summative

All summative assessments will be assessed in accordance with the assessment aims set out in the programme specification.

Feedback

Students will receive formal feedback in a variety of ways: written (via email or VLE correspondence) and indirectly through online discussion groups. Students will also attend a formal meeting with their Mentor. These reviews will monitor and evaluate the student’s progress.

Feedback is provided on summative assessment and is made available to the student either via email, the VLE or another appropriate method.

Indicative Reading

Note: Comprehensive and current reading lists for courses are produced annually in the Course Syllabus or other documentation provided to students; the indicative reading list provided below is used as part of the approval/modification process only.

Books

• Block, P, (1981), Flawless Consulting: A Guide to Getting Your Expertise Used. 
• Wickham, L. and Wilcock, J., (2016). Management Consulting 5th edn.: Delivering an Effective Project. Pearson Higher Ed.

Journals

Students are encouraged to consult relevant journals on consulting best practices. 

Electronic Resources

Students are encouraged to consult relevant websites on consulting best practices.

Indicative Topics

• Consulting Framework
• Understanding resistance
• Negotiation