INMR83-Consulting Project

Module Provider: Business Informatics, Systems and Accounting
Number of credits: 40 [20 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Summer term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Placement opportunity: Micro placement
Current from: 2020/1

Email: v.a.michell@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module develops student skills in consulting project planning, development, delivery and client communication. It is focused on an individualÌýproblem solvingÌýexercise of relevance to a real client who has specific needs and requirements. It also enables the student to select and study in detail a specific part of the business technology consulting programme and enables them to demonstrate specific skills developed in other parts of the programme.Ìý

Aims:

The aim of the consulting project is to enable students to apply the knowledge from the taught modules to real-life casesÌý(where possible)Ìýin a structured and systematic manner. Students can select fromÌýa number ofÌýtypes of project.ÌýSome projectsÌýmay beÌýfrom consultancies and other organisations working with the programme (subject to business conditionsÌýand when available). This provides a setÌýof real-world problems that relate to their clients or their strategic and tactical consulting needs.ÌýAlternatively,Ìýthe student may choose a project suggested by IRC academics/the course director or other organisations, relating to current leading-edge research and business challenges. Or the student may opt for a project they or their sponsor has suggested. In all cases a sponsor or owner requiring the project must be separate from the student and should specify the outline requirements.ÌýThe Programme Director will make the final decision to approve any proposed projectÌýand the client needs.ÌýIt is the student’s responsibility to investigate and meet the client needsÌýand complete the project within the specified module timeframe.ÌýProjects may vary from exploratory research, data collection and analysis and development of a specific focused solution to more generic desk bound theoretical investigations of learned papers and production of an essay orÌýsimilar toÌýprovide a summary of knowledge to a client. The keyÌýfocus is applying academic techniques and thought to generate aÌýfeasible solution to meetÌýthe clientÌýrequirements.ÌýThis echoes the nature, time and workload challenges of consultancy practice. The module is designed to allow students to develop necessary knowledge and skills to collect and analyse the needs of clients and provide the most appropriate objectively analysed and pragmatic solutions to improve the business performance via the application of business technology and consulting techniques. The module includes a mandatoryÌýone-dayÌýproject introduction where projects are selected in March-April. This provides essential background and guidance for the project structure and includes the opportunity to ask questions regarding potential projects. Being able to respond well to time and complexity pressure whilst analysing a project problem and developing a solution is a fundamental ability taught by the module.

Assessable learning outcomes:

On the completion of the module, the students will produce a written report with a detailed business technology solution proposal in response to the problem. This will include a detailed analysis of the problem and proposed solutionsÌý(practical or theoretical, data based or report/essay)ÌýandÌýinclude a roadmap,Ìýproject planÌýor specific recommendationsÌýforÌýtheÌýapplication of the recommended solution. This should meet theÌýclient’sÌýbusiness requirements and problem definition andÌýenableÌýimprovement toÌýthe business performance for the specific customer or sponsor of the problem. The student will also be required to deliver an oral presentation of the problem and solution to demonstrate related communication and influencing skills necessary to practice as a consultant.Ìý

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Additional outcomes:

The student is also required to complete a reflective learning log to identify what they have learned from the project and how they can improve in problem solving and consulting skills.Ìý

Outline content:

The student will be guided by allocated academic and potentially an industrial supervisor whereÌýnecessary. TheÌýstudent is offered aÌýchance to become the expert and develop and demonstrate such skills by working independently to research, analyse and synthesise a feasible solution in a subject areaÌýof theirÌýchoiceÌýand the approval of the Programme Director.ÌýThe focus of the research projectÌýrequires the student to develop andÌýabsorb the information necessary to develop new knowledge and develop and apply the reasoning and insight and not blindly follow instructions.ÌýÌý

The content of theÌýprojectÌýreport is determined by the user requirements with, where possible, a real live caseÌýor requirementÌý(subject to business conditions). It will include the problem definition, the business requirements and constraints, the analysis of the business problem using the tools and techniques learnt during th e course of the programmeÌý(with either/and primary /secondary data gathering (subject to client requirements), identificationÌýand explanationÌýof the technical solutions, details of the recommended proposed solution and the execution roadmapÌýorÌýrecommendations.ÌýThe work must be conducted in an ethical and professional manner as per consultancyÌýbestÌýpractices. The text of the report should not normally exceed 8,000 words but it may be supported by ancillary materials.ÌýÌý

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

The project is normally conducted by an individual student guided by supervisors from the university and where appropriate a sponsoring organisation or consultancy orÌýotherÌýsponsoring businesses/academic supervisor. Although the actual sponsor type and disposition will vary with business conditions. TheÌýstudent will have regularÌýmeetingsÌý(of various forms to suit the conditions and nature of theÌýproject)ÌýwithÌýthe academic and industry supervisors. The s tudent drives the project and isÌýresponsible for contactingÌýsupervisors and maintaining necessaryÌýcommunicationÌýthrough electronic or social network media as appropriate. The student is expected to spend significant time on individual research and study necessary to enable them to developÌýsufficientÌýexpertise to understand the problem, analyse the problem, develop a solution and execute the project. It is the student’s responsibility to use and develop their c ritical reasoningÌýand knowledge to explore and completeÌýthe projectÌýto the project requirements.Ìý

Summative assessment- Examinations:
None

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Final Report (80%) comprising due inÌýthe first week of September.Ìý

• Main body (explaining the analysis and proposed solution) 60%, 8,000 words.Ìý


• Executive summary 10%Ìý(2 pages)Ìý


• Log of student experience and learning points from the student perspective 10%Ìý(1,000 words)Ìý

Mid-term Presentation of the analysis and proposedÌýsolution so far – (20%)ÌýinÌýweekÌý7Ìýsummer term.Ìý

Formative assessment methods:

Work as dictated by supervisor.

Penalties for late submission:
Penalties for late submission on this module are in accordance with the University policy. Please refer to page 5 of the Postgraduate Guide to Assessment for further information: http://www.reading.ac.uk/internal/exams/student/exa-guidePG.aspx

Assessment requirements for a pass:

Students will be required to obtain a mark of 50% to pass the assessment. Pass criteria - To pass this module, the studentÌýmust demonstrate a satisfactory consulting project and related report/presentation.

Distinction criteria - To achieve distinctionÌýthe student must demonstrate an excellent consulting project and related report/presentation.

Reassessment arrangements:

Reassessment will be by re-submissionÌýof written assignment,Ìýadjusted ifÌýnecessaryÌýas required by the module convenor.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

Last updated: 4 April 2020