Assignment Task
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module students will be able to achieve the following at the Masters level:
1. To effectively develop and analyse an understanding of the client’s problem or opportunity.
2. To effectively draft a proposal for the client that addresses the aims and objectives, how it will be undertaken, issues of risk, use of resources and other factors important to the client.
3. To analyse the culture and what counts for practical knowledge in that environment (what do people read, who do they go for advice, who makes decisions etc.)
4. To critically reflect on their relationship with the client including for example, the development of trust, the development of understanding, ethical choices etc.
Syllabus & Learning Strategy
Participants will be introduced to the knowledge and practice required to successfully prepare a consultancy proposal. This will include relationship building with the client and the iterative process of problem definition and clarity.
Topics covered will include, but not limited to:
- Conversation, negotiation and developing a shared understanding with your client
- Understanding and working with your stakeholders
- Understanding the culture you are working with, including power and politics • How decisions are made and by whom
Drafting a proposal, including:
- Aims and objectives
- The scope (breadth and depth of your work)
- Being clear – inclusion and exclusion
- Working our resources (including people and financial)
- Working with time (consultancy time and elapsed time)
- Risk management
- Developing SMART (enough) proposals
Part 1
1. Management Summary
Describe the needs of the company in the consultancy work. This should include the aims of the business and objectives of the project. The expected outcome(s) of the project should be clearly stated as well.
2. Scope of Work
Describe the areas of work that will be carried out by the consultant. Be specific about the exact work that will be done and works that are not included in the project
Proposed scope of work should include the relevant business models to substantiate/support the consultancy work ( at least one but not more than 2 models). That means appropriate problem-solving approach and strategic or operational models that will be applied for the consultancy work.
3. Stakeholders
Identify and discuss the type(s) of stakeholder in the client company who are likely to be involved in the consultancy project. Provide details about the respective position and role of each stakeholder in the company. An organizational chart representing only the role(s) of stakeholders may be included
4. Resources
Provide a detailed proposal of the number of consultants related personnel and the costs that will be required for the consultancy project. Resources in terms of a team of individuals who will be involved in the consultancy project. Names are not needed but their respective roles and positions (if relevant) should be added. This is the consultancy team.
5. Cost
As for the costs, provide cost components for the project. Man-day rate and the respective number of days for each member of the consultancy team should be included. Separate the manpower costs and other incidental costs such as software, hardware, and license fees etc. The total cost is the amount to be quoted to the client.
6. Project timeline
Prepare a timeline that includes the sequence of activities or actions for the project. This should include the duration of each activity and the involvement of specific project team members. This can be presented in the form of an excel spreadsheet and added to the report. The timeline should be from the start to the end of the consultancy project, including any reviews, follow-ups or monitoring durations, or presentation to key member(s) of the company, if any
7. Risk Management
Provide a full understanding of the possible risks that the project may have and suggest mitigating actions. See lecture 3 for details. Critically evaluate the consultancy project in terms of risk management, proposing feasible solutions or responses to the risks/uncertainties that may arise in the project. You are required to apply the FMEA model in evaluating the risks. The 4Ts model could help you develop the appropriate responses to the dentified risks/uncertainties.
8. Conclusion
Provide a summary of your proposal by highlighting the key points in this consultancy project
Part 2
1. Role in developing the consultancy proposal with client
a) Reflect on the situation that had led you to know about the need for a consultancy project required by the company. This could be a direct cold call, a contact from your professional network or simply an existing client whom you have worked with in the past. In other word, how do you get to know about the client who needs the help of a management consultant for a particular project.
b) Describe the process that you have undergone with the client to understand the needs of the company in the consultancy work. For examples, through the process of meetings, workshops, site visits, material reading, interviews with key stakeholders etc. This should include describing specific problem-solving tool(s) or technique(s) that you have considered to be appropriate and useful in getting the specific root causes and issues that the company has.
c) Give a summary of the specific needs in terms of resolving a problem or capture a new business opportunity. This summary should include the aims of the business and objectives of the project. The expected outcome(s) of the project should be given as well.
d) Describe the type of consultancy style that you will apply for this client after the process of data gathering with the client. Explain your choice.
2. Analysis of the client culture in relations to power and politics
a) Give an account of your views about the dynamics of the stakeholders (identify by their respective project or/and functional roles) such as those you have met during the first or subsequent meetings. Describe your observations about the interactions among the stakeholders that might have shown political and/or power tensions among the client stakeholders.
b) Based on your observation during the meetings with the client, provide a view about the culture of the company
3. Critical reflection of relationship with client
a) Reflect on your relationship with the stakeholders whom you have encountered during the consultancy exploration stage (may be in the first and subsequent meetings). Identify and discuss the type(s) of stakeholder in the client company who are likely to be involved in the consultancy project. Provide details about the respective position and role of each stakeholder in the company as well as a stakeholder analysis based on a mapping of the stakeholders based on their respective interest and power.
b) Give an account of your views about the dynamics of the stakeholders (identify by their respective project or/and functional roles) such as those you have met during the first or subsequent meetings. Describe your observations about the interactions among the stakeholders that might have shown political and/or power tensions among the client stakeholders. Based on your observation and interaction during and off the meetings with the client, provide a view about the culture of the company.
c) Reflect and provide details about how you have or have not developed mutual understanding and trust with specific key stakeholders. Cite examples of incidence that might have given you the assurance of confidence, trust and understanding with one or several client stakeholder(s). Be specific about the role of the stakeholder(s) in the project.
d) Give an account of a hypothetical incidence where ethical consideration was tested or brought to the attention of all parties. Explain how the ethical issue was resolved and what you have learned about business ethics through this incidence.