Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Postgraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2017-2018 (archived)

Module BUSI4J910: Managment Consultancy (FT)

Department: Business School (Business)

BUSI4J910: Managment Consultancy (FT)

Type Tied Level 4 Credits 10 Availability Available in 2017/18
Tied to N1T517
Tied to N1T617

Prerequisites

  • None

Corequisites

  • BUSI4K010 Project Management (FT)

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None

Aims

  • To contribute to the overall aims of the programme by providing students with an opportunity to develop their understanding and skills within a specialised area of management practice.
  • To examine theory and practice in the field of management consultancy within the global economy.
  • To develop links with the Business School’s research strategy by incorporating current research into management consultancy and the role of the management consultant.

Content

  • Introduction to Management Consultancy
  • The Consulting Life-Cycle: Sales, Research, Delivery, Exit
  • Knowledge Management in Management Consultancy
  • Measuring Engagement Success
  • Client Relationship Management
  • Understanding and Dealing with Ethical Issues
  • International Consulting and the Global Context

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • By the end of the module students will have:
  • a critical knowledge and understanding of the changing nature and role of management consultancy work at a time of unparalleled global change and public interest;
  • a detailed understanding of the key approaches used in the global management consultancy industry;
  • an understanding of the capabilities needed for effective management consultancy, including industry thought leadership, nurturing client-consultant relationships, knowledge management, and various aspects of international management.
Subject-specific Skills:
  • By the end of the module students will have:
  • the ability to use advanced critical, evaluative and communicative skills needed to develop and deploy effective solutions to strategic challenges facing client organizations.
Key Skills:
  • Research and Analytical skills
  • Solution and Creative skills
  • Planning and Delivery skills
  • Negotiating and persuading
  • Written communication
  • Presenting effectively using oral, written and technological media

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

  • Learning outcomes will be met through a mix of lectures, groupwork, case studies and discussion, supported by guided reading.
  • The summative written assignment will test students' understanding of relevant concepts and their ability to apply and interpret what they have learned to the analysis of a particular issue in depth. The summative group presentation will test students' ability to work effectively in collaboration with others and to critically assess the relevance and validity of others' views. There will also be summative assessment of students' contributions to case-based discussions in class which will further test students' ability to apply what they have learnt. The resit of this component will be an individual written assignment based on a case study.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Lectures 6 2 hours 12
Case studies/case based discussions 6 2 hours 12
Groupwork - assessment of presentation 4 2 hours 8
Preparation & Reading 68
Total 100

Summative Assessment

Component: Group Presentation Component Weighting: 40%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Group Presentation 15-20 minutes 100% Individual presentation
Component: Written Assignment Component Weighting: 40%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Individual Written Assignment 2,000 words maximum 100% Same
Component: Individual contributions in class Component Weighting: 20%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Class contribution During case-based discussions 100% 1000 word assignment

Formative Assessment:

Students receive feedback on their contributions in in class.


Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University