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2017/18 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

LLLC3972 Management Consultancy

20 creditsClass Size: 15

Module manager: David Gilding
Email: d.gilding@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: 1 Sep to 31 Jan View Timetable

Year running 2017/18

This module is mutually exclusive with

LUBS3850Contemporary Management Consulting

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Module summary

The rise of management consultancy during the last two decades of the 20th century is one of the key success stories of the contemporary business world. Given the pervasiveness of consultants and their services in the contemporary economy as well as the problematic nature of their involvement (not to mention the significant rewards that this occupation offers to its members), it is therefore increasingly important that students come to terms with both the principles of management consulting as a specific activity and also the structure of management consultancy as a specific market and occupation. This module will introduce these management consulting principles and structures to you, both as potential future consultants and/or as purchasers of consulting services.

Objectives

This module provides the necessary theoretical and empirical framework for the study of management consulting both as a specific activity and as a type of business. Specifically, the module aims to develop students’ understanding of the key characteristics of the consultancy industry, its market, and the distinguishing features of successful consultancy projects. It will also look at the important and at times problematic role of management consulting and consultants in contemporary business and society, the challenges in organising and managing management consultancy firms, and the different roles performed by management consultants for their clients.

Learning outcomes
On completion of the module you will be able to:
- Critically assess the principal academic theories, dominant market practices and popular conceptions of management consulting and management consultants
- Discuss how management consulting may affect business performance and survival
- Critically assess a range of key consulting methodologies, skills, and services, to develop a structured approach to managing consultancy interventions
- Outline the distinctive challenges of organising and managing management consultancy firms, including an understanding of ethics in relation to consultancy
- Be able to prepare for professional personal development as a consultant and be able to assess current competencies and knowledge against those of a management consultant
- Evaluate the practical application of management consulting in various business settings
- Demonstrate technical accuracy in written communication skills expected within a professional or work based context

Skills outcomes
Ability to:
- Analyse various business problems and scenarios
- Evaluate the effectiveness of different consulting interventions
- Present consultancy solutions in a client based scenario
- Apply reflective thinking skills
- Develop professional development skills


Syllabus

Indicative content:

- History and overview/profile of the sector
- Consultant-client relationships
- Consulting firms, their organization and management
- The ‘managing' of management consultants (client side perspectives, including procurement)
- Communication for consultants: its importance and impact
- The need for project and change management skills
- The consulting life-cycle, different types of consultancy intervention and the role of planning
- Types of consulting roles and projects; e.g. IT, organization development and strategy
- The dark side of management consulting, including ethical issues and consultancy
- The roles and responsibilities of the consultant, consultant behaviours and the importance of professional development

Teaching methods

Delivery typeNumberLength hoursStudent hours
Lecture131.5019.50
Private study hours180.50
Total Contact hours19.50
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)200.00

Private study

Reading 81.5 hours
Critical reflection on practice 39 hours
Assignment preparation 20 hours
Assignment Writing 20 hours
Examination preparation 20 hours

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Through regular workshops, monitoring of student contributions and the staged submission of formative assessment.

Methods of assessment


Coursework
Assessment typeNotes% of formal assessment
Essay3,000 words50.00
PresentationGroup presentation 3,000 word50.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)100.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 15/05/2017

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