Module Content

The module requires the students to work in small teams to identify, negotiate and action an analytical investigation into a ‘live’ issue or problem being experienced by a host organisation. To support this experiential approach to learning and development, the module will address key topics including:
•Introduction to the consulting process
•Consulting skills
•Getting In: finding and managing relationships with host organisations
•Developing the project proposal
•Getting On: gathering and making sense of data; problem-solving and the development of solutions
•Getting Out: communicating and influencing; project handover

Apart from the above, there is no set syllabus for the module as every team project will be different, although the theme is one of organisational analysis and change. Students will be guided towards any contextual knowledge required and will be expected to draw on their studies on other modules.

Teaching Methods

The module involves students working in small teams of normally between 4 and 5 members, to identify, negotiate and action an analytical investigation into a “live” issue or problem being experienced by an organisation. It is expected that teams will not analyse an issue in an organisation in which any member of the team is employed in order that there are no prior assumptions related to the organisation.
During this year-long module students will be mainly working with the host organisation researching the issue/problem and collecting primary and secondary data. In addition, a weekly 1.5 hour workshop session will be held throughout the year to provide time for tutor-led sessions to address key topics and to provide each project team with the opportunity to discuss their projects and to seek tutor guidance and support. Additional tutor support will be available to the project teams or individuals at other times by arrangement and by email/phone.
Each project team will be required to make an oral presentation to the rest of the class and the module tutor on their proposed project and to receive feedback. Following these presentations, each project team will submit a written 2 -3 page Project Proposal which outlines the overall aim, objectives, outcomes, intended methodological approach and time plan for the project. The proposal must include a written signed statement from the host organisation stating that they agree to the project being undertaken and that they recognise that it is being undertaken as part of the educational requirements of the MBA Master in Business Administration programme. The module tutor will seek to approve the project proposals at this stage.
Project teams will then progress their approved projects drawing on the support and guidance of the module tutor as required.
At the mid-point of the year, each project team will make a short oral progress report to the rest of the class and the module tutor to receive feedback and to discuss their progress to date and future plans.
Towards the end of the year, each project team will be expected to present the key features of their projects to the rest of the class and the module tutor and to receive feedback. These sessions will take place a few weeks before the final submission date for the team project reports thereby enabling received feedback to be integrated, if appropriate, into the final reports.
In addition to the submission of the final team reports to the module tutor for assessment, project teams will have agreed a mechanism for feeding back the outcomes of their work to their host organisation. This is something that will have been negotiated with the host earlier in the process.

Assessment Methods

This module is assessed through a team project report and an individual reflective report.