Module Handbook (UG)

Module Title:
The Practice of Consultancy

Module Code:
MN5070

Module Leader:
Riëtte van Wijnen

Session: 2022/2023
Teaching period: Autumn Semester

Weblearn URL: https://student.londonmet.ac.uk/weblearn/

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Welcome to The Practice of Consultancy
Session: Autumn Semester 2022/2023

Module Handbook Contents

Contents
1. Teaching team..........................................................................................................1

2. Module Summary and Description...........................................................................2

Module Learning Outcomes..................................................................................2

Module Syllabus/Content......................................................................................2

3. Indicative weekly teaching programme....................................................................3

4. Attendance and Absence.........................................................................................5

5. Academic Integrity and Plagiarism...........................................................................5

6. Assessment..............................................................................................................6

7. Module specification.................................................................................................9
1. Teaching team

Details of staff teaching on the module

Name Role Office @londonmet.ac.uk

hours*

Riëtte van Wijnen Module leader TBA r.vanwijnen@

Yaz Djebbour Tutor TBA y.djebbour@

Bettina Coleman-Schoels Tutor TBA b.colemanschoels@

Dammer Sahi Tutor TBA d.sahi@

TBA Academic Mentor TBA TBA

* Advice and Feedback Hours. Please check the Contacts folder on WebLearn for information.

Tutor Group Tutor

T1

T2 Please see WebLearn for the

T3 current timetable.

T4

2. Module Summary and Description

1
Consultancy is big business and the sector continues to experience strong growth. The UK
consultancy industry alone employs more than 80,000 professionals and is worth an
estimated £12 billion per annum; making it the second largest consultancy base in the world.

Management consulting involves engaging with stakeholders to provide objective, specialist

advice. It is concerned with diagnosing issues and inefficiencies, solving problems,
improving performance and implementing solutions to deliver complex change, maximise
growth and to create value for organisations. 

The Practice of Consultancy develops the practical research and consultancy skills required
for a career in Business Analyses and Management Consultancy and prepares students for
the final year Consultancy Project. Specifically, the module introduces research methods for
consultancy and aims to develop a practical understanding of the tools and techniques of
problem analysis and issue clarification. A range of business frameworks are applied to
structure diagnostic analyses and thinking, whilst data, metrics and analytics are evaluated
to inform the process and to provide the client with evidence-based solutions. Finally, this
module aims to develop students’ communication skills through the preparation of a report to
present the outcome of the consultation to their client.

Management consulting covers a broad range of activities and, to be effective, a consultant

needs to be client-oriented and solution-focused. Expertise, resourcefulness, an analytical
mind, creative thinking, an ability to manage relationships, empathy and excellent
communication skills are essential to building trust and ensuring recommendations are
implemented. By taking an applied, problem-solving approach, this module encourages
students to enhance their competencies in these areas.

Module Learning Outcomes

2
On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:

LO1. Identify and clarify issues within an organisation;

LO2. Demonstrate an ability to select and apply appropriate methods for solving
consultancy problems;

LO3. Produce a structured consultancy report.

Module Syllabus/Content
This module focuses on the practices and research methods used for the delivery of
consultancy projects.

The first part of the module focuses on the understanding of the organisations and the
general and specific issues faced by them.

The second part of the module introduces essential research methods and models to inform
the problem-solving process. Business frameworks and statistical models are developed,
and primary and secondary data are considered, to help analyse the issue or problem, to
provide a useful structure for analysis and thinking, to guide the decision process and to
communicate recommendations to clients. Both primary and secondary data will be
evaluated in order to facilitate informed decision making and to provide the client with
evidence-based solutions.

The final part of the module is to communicate the decisions taken. The presentation of
solutions and implementation of recommendations are fundamental to the process of
consultancy. Creative thinking, problem resolution, presentation and report writing skills are
developed and assessed via an executive summary report.

3
3. Indicative weekly teaching programme

The indicative weekly programme shows the topic likely to be covered in each teaching
week, but please note that the precise order can change. Check your Weblearn module
for up to date information.

To view the time, date and location of class see your personal timetable available at
https://student.londonmet.ac.uk/timetable

Teaching Week Topic

26 September Introduction to the Module and Research for

Consultancy

3 October Communication with Clients: Problem Identification

and Defining Issues 1

10 October Communication with Clients: Problem Identification

and Defining Issues 2

17 October Tools: Market Analysis

24 October Tools: Market Viability

31 October Enhancement Week – No Class Sessions

7 November Tools: Market Entry

14 November Statistical Analysis Consulting: Diagnostics and

Interpretation 1

21 November Statistical Analysis Consulting: Diagnostics and

Interpretation 2

28 November Statistical Analysis Consulting: Diagnostics and

Interpretation 3

5 December Feedback Week

4
 12 December Coursework 1 Due – No Class Sessions
To pass the module you must achieve an overall minimum mark of 40% or be
graded a pass at level 3. If you pass the module on re-assessment, the
component you resit will be capped at a pass mark level of 40% or be graded a
pass at level 3.

5
4. Attendance and Absence

Engagement is an important part of making sure you to complete a module

successfully. The university has in place a clear engagement monitoring system
which is explained in Section 3 of the Student Engagement Policy. We expect you to
attend all teaching and learning activities for this module, as well as engage with all
aspects of teaching and learning. If you are not able to attend a tuition session for a
specific reason, it is important that you request an authorised absence by emailing
your course leader before the session. Your course leader will review your request
and let you know whether it has been approved. The maximum number of authorised
absences you can have per module per semester is three. If your attendance and/or
your overall engagement becomes a cause for concern please be aware that your
School Office will contact you to discuss this, including the option to take a break. It
is important to engage with your School Office at this point, as if your attendance and
engagement continues to be low, you may be asked to leave your course.

5. Academic Integrity and Plagiarism

Academic integrity requires honesty in your studies. You should not present another
person’s sentences or ideas as your own work. You should clearly identify quotations
through the use of quotation marks and references to the sources. If you do not
adhere to these academic standards it may lead to allegations of Academic
Misconduct, which will be investigated by the Student Casework Office.

Academic Misconduct covers a variety of practices, such as:

● Plagiarism: copying another person’s ideas or words and presenting them as
your own work, without the use of quotation marks and/or references;
● Self-plagiarism: resubmitting, in part, or in entirety one of your assignments
for another piece of work; Inventing, altering or falsifying the results of
experiments or research;
6
 ● Commissioning or contracting another person to complete an assessment;
● Colluding with others in the production of a piece of assessed work which is
presented as entirely your own work;
● Cheating in an exam (for example, but not limited to taking revision notes into
the exam room or copying off another student during an exam).

For full details of Academic Misconduct and how allegations are investigated, see
the relevant section of the University’s academic regulations:
https://student.londonmet.ac.uk/your-studies/student-administration/rules-and-
regulations/academic-misconduct/.

6. Assessment

All assessments are designed to support your learning and help you develop a
deeper understanding of the topics covered in your module.

● Formative assessments provide an opportunity to learn and do not contribute

to your grade.
● Summative assessments contribute to your overall mark and grades.

The module has one summative (graded) assessment opportunity. It takes the form
of an individually-completed coursework and requires the completion of a 2000-word
structured consultancy report.

To prepare the report, students will need to work through the three main stages in
the consultation process.

7
This first stage involves the presentation of the main aspects of organisations and
the identification of the various issues related to them. This is linked to Learning
Outcome 1 (LO1).

The second stage requires an analysis of the issues through the identification of the
main business concepts and the required data needed to conduct the appropriate
research method to inform decision-making. This stage is linked to Learning
Outcome 2 (LO2).

The third stage is linked to Learning Outcome 3 (LO3) and is concerned with
communication of the outcome of the consultation. Problem solving and making
recommendations are key considerations at this stage.

The coursework assesses the three learning outcomes, is due at the end of week 12
and contributes 100% to the module mark.

Summative feedback will normally be given within 15 working days of the submission
deadline.

MN5070 Formative Elements

To ensure the preparation of the report remains on track and to provide opportunities
for feedback and feedforward, formative (non-graded) elements are incorporated into
the assessment strategy.

To ensure the preparation of the report remains on track and to provide opportunities
for feedback and feedforward, formative (non-graded) elements are incorporated into
the assessment strategy.

8
There are two opportunities for obtaining clarification and formative feedback.
Students will be given the opportunity to ask questions and to email their coursework
plans in weeks 6 and 7. General feedback on formative elements will be provided in
class and via WebLearn. The second opportunity invites students to email their final
coursework draft to their tutor for feedback in week 11.

Coursework briefs and assessment criteria are uploaded to WebLearn and

discussed in class to ensure that the requirements and the format of the assessment
are made clear. These discussions will also clarify the grading criteria and the basis
on which academic judgements are made.

Coursework briefs and assessment criteria are uploaded to WebLearn and a

complementary video will be uploaded alongside the brief ensure that the
requirements and the format of the assessment are made clear. The guidelines will
also clarify the grading criteria and the basis on which academic judgements are
made.

Module Assessments (Summative)

Assessment Description of Item % Week Learning Outcomes

Method weighting Due

Coursework Consultancy Report: 100% 12 LO1, LO2, LO3

2000 words

9
Module Assessment Cycle

The module assessment cycle shows all assessment related activities of your
module.

Week Activity

Week 01 You will have access to the overall module assessment

plan, indicating when formative and summative
assignments are due.

Week 06 The brief for coursework 1 (the only assessment for this
module) is made available through WebLearn and
discussed in the seminars.
Successful completion of this coursework provides
evidence of achieving Learning Outcomes 1, 2 and 3.

Week 12 You will submit the summative assignment set in Week 6

through Turnitin before 3pm on Friday, 16 December
2022.

Week 15 You will receive feedback on the summative assignment

submitted in Week 14.

MN5070 is marked out of 100%: all marks between 0% and 100% can be awarded.
Coursework-specific Assessment and Grading Criteria will be published on
WebLearn alongside the coursework briefs.

10
7. Module specification
The University’s module specification template has been developed to fulfil two main
functions; it shall act:

 as a source of information for students and prospective students seeking an

understanding of the module.
 to ensure that there is clarity concerning the aims and intended learning
outcomes for the module for the University during the approval and periodic
review process.

Part One: ABOUT THE MODULE

1a Module title The Practice of Consultancy
1b Subject Strategic Management
1c Location(s) module is Holloway Road, North campus
offered
1d Courses Module is Business and Management
available on Business Management and Marketing
Digital Business Management
International Business Management
Business Management and HRM
Business and Law
Marketing
Advertising, Marketing Communications and Public Relations
Fashion Marketing and Business Management
Airline, Airport and Aviation Management
Events Management
Events Management and Marketing
Tourism Management
Music Business
Accounting and Finance
Banking and Finance
Business Economics
Economics
Economics and Finance
Economics, Finance and International Business
2 Module code MN5070
3 Module level and credit Level 5 15
rating
4 School Guildhall School of Business and Law
5 Teaching period Autumn and Spring Period (15 weeks) [Autumn Period]

11
6 Mode of attendance Day
7 Module pre-requisites Understanding and Managing Data (MN4063)
and co-requisites
8 Module description and aims

Consultancy is big business and the sector continues to experience strong growth. The
UK consultancy industry alone employs more than 80,000 professionals and is worth an
estimated £12 billion per annum; making it the second largest consultancy base in the
world.

Management consulting involves engaging with stakeholders to provide objective,

specialist advice. It is concerned with diagnosing issues and inefficiencies, solving
problems, improving performance and implementing solutions to deliver complex change,
maximise growth and to create value for organisations.

The Practice of Consultancy develops the practical research and consultancy skills
required for a career in Business Analyses and Management Consultancy and prepares
students for the final year Consultancy Project. Specifically, the module introduces
research methods for consultancy and aims to develop a practical understanding of the
tools and techniques of problem analysis and issue clarification. A range of business
frameworks are applied to structure diagnostic analyses and thinking, whilst data, metrics
and analytics are evaluated to inform the process and to provide the client with evidence-
based solutions. Finally, this module aims to develop students’ communication skills
through the preparation of a report to present the outcome of the consultation to their
client.

Management consulting covers a broad range of activities and, to be effective, a

consultant needs to be client-oriented and solution-focused. Expertise, resourcefulness,
an analytical mind, creative thinking, an ability to manage relationships, empathy and
excellent communication skills are essential to building trust and ensuring
recommendations are implemented. By taking an applied, problem-solving approach, this
module encourages students to enhance their competencies in these areas.

Transferable skills
Student will develop a range of key skills and knowledge, including:

 Critical evaluation, problem identification and problem-solving skills

 Research skills (quantitative and qualitative research)
 Numeracy
 Analytic, divergent and creative thinking
 Communication (critical reading, interviewing, listening, negotiating, advising,
presenting and report writing skills)

9 Module learning outcomes

On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:

LO1. Identify and clarify issues within an organisation;

LO2. Demonstrate an ability to select and apply appropriate methods for solving

12
 consultancy problems;

LO3. Produce a structured consultancy report.

10 Indicative syllabus – for full details see section C in Module Booklet

This module focuses on the practices and research methods used for the
delivery of consultancy projects.

The first part of the modules focuses on the understanding of the LO1
organisations and the general and specific issues faced by them.

The second part of the module introduces essential research methods and LO2
models to inform the problem-solving process. Business frameworks are
developed to help analyse the issue or problem, to provide a useful
structure for analysis and thinking, to guide the decision process and to
communicate recommendations to clients. Both primary and secondary
data will be evaluated in order to facilitate informed decision making and to
provide the client with evidence-based solutions.

The final part of the module is to communicate the decisions taken. The LO3
presentation of solutions and implementation of recommendations are
fundamental to the process of consultancy. Creative thinking, problem
resolution, presentation and report writing skills are developed and
assessed via an executive summary report.

11 Indicative bibliography and key on-line resources

https://rl.talis.com/3/londonmet/lists/E46FEE6F-B168-BDB1-CE85-0D5C35903985.html?
lang=en-US&login=1

12 What is the balance of independent study and scheduled teaching activity within the
module, the approach to blended learning and the opportunities for reflective
learning/PDP?

Learning and teaching are structured around three hours of class contact time per week
and take the form of a 1-hour lecture and 2-hour interactive seminar. Some seminars may
be delivered in a computer lab. Students will receive module material, including weekly
presentation slides and activities via WebLearn. Computer-based tasks, where relevant,
are blended into the weekly activities.

The lectures introduce students to the research methods, business frameworks and
metrics that inform the consultancy process. The interactive seminars adopt a problem-
focused approach and facilitate learning through individual and collaborative practical
activities, such as evaluating a company’s competitive position, customer satisfaction,
employee management and other factors. The seminars will also help develop the skills
in the computation of metrics and their interpretation. Finally, an opportunity is given to
evaluate possible solutions and reporting/presenting recommendations.

13
 A range of tasks are completed in class and others are completed outside formal contact
hours. It is expected that for every 3-hours spent in class, students spend a further 7
hours a week on independent study. A total of 30 hours is allocated for assessment
preparation.

Method Description Learning

hours
Scheduled Learning & Teaching Lecture and seminars 36
Guided independent study Research and activities 84
Assessment preparation/delivery Assessment preparation 30
Placement/study abroad n/a 0
TOTAL LEARNING HOURS FOR THE MODULE 150
13 Description of assessment items.

Summative Element

The module has one summative (graded) assessment opportunity. It takes the form of an
individually-completed coursework and requires the completion of a 2000-word structured
consultancy report.

To prepare the report, students will need to work through the three main stages in the
consultation process.

This first stage involves the presentation of the main aspects of organisations and the
identification of the various issues related to them. This is linked to Learning Outcome 1
(LO1).

The second stage requires an analysis of the issues through the identification of the main
business concepts and the required data needed to conduct the appropriate research
method to inform decision-making. This stage is linked to Learning Outcome 2 (LO2).

The third stage is linked to Learning Outcome 3 (LO3) and is concerned with
communication of the outcome of the consultation. Problem solving and making
recommendations are key considerations at this stage.

The coursework assesses the three learning outcomes, is due at the end of week 12 and
contributes 100% to the module mark.

Summative feedback will normally be given within 15 working days of the submission
deadline.

Formative Elements
To ensure the preparation of the report remains on track and to provide opportunities for
feedback and feedforward, formative (non-graded) elements are incorporated into the
assessment strategy.

There are two opportunities for formative feedback. These are linked to stage 1

14
 (discovery) and stage 2 (analysis). To obtain feedback on discovery and problem
identification, students will be given allocated time and sessions to discuss their draft.
The feedback will be given no later than week 11. Feedback on formative elements will
be provided in class.

Coursework briefs and assessment criteria are uploaded to WebLearn and discussed in
class to ensure that the requirements and the format of the assessment are made clear.
These discussions will also clarify the grading criteria and the basis on which academic
judgements are made.

Description of Assessment Assessmen Qualifying Week Learning

t weighting Marks Due Outcome/s
Coursework Consultancy Report 100% 14 LO1, LO2, LO3
2000 words

Part Two: SCHOOL USE

1 Nominated External Examiner Please detail the name of the
4 external examiner.
1 Nominated Module Leader at time of approval Riëtte van Wijnen
5

Part Three: OFFICIAL USE AND CODES – responsibility for completion is as

indicated
1 Original date of validation (AQD) Please enter the validation date
6
1 Revision date (specify cohort) (AQD) Please note date of any modifications
7
1 Module specification version number (AQD) Please input the version number
8
1 SITS Mark Scheme (Student Journey) Please input the SITS mark scheme
9
2 Subject Standards Board Name (Student Please input the SSB name
0 Journey)

15