The Consultancy Project is an innovative and practical component of the MBA programme, which requires participants to complete a real-time project on behalf of an organization. It is envisaged that most participants will complete a project on behalf of their own sponsoring organization. However, some participants may choose an organisation or industry sector that is relevant to the next stage in their career.
The Consultancy Project brings learning together in a meaningful way while giving the participant the opportunity to conduct individual research, which is specialised in nature and can be customised. It is the key programme component enabling students to realise a significant piece of individual research, which is largely self-directed, and to apply newly honed consultancy skills.
The completed Consultancy Project will result in a project which must meet the academic requirements of a Master’s Degree award
Academically the Consultancy Project tests the learner’s ability to apply learning to real organisational issues. The academic submission must demonstrate the learner’s understanding and logical application of relevant concepts encountered throughout the programme modules. Completed Consultancy Projects will not be placed in the library or released for wider readership without the prior consent of the sponsoring organisation.
The Consultancy Project is designed as an individual piece of assessment for several reasons. It confers a sense of ownership on you the learner. It gives you an opportunity to deliver a meaningful piece of research to your organisation. It allows you to pursue projects that fit with your career and business aspirations.
This Consultancy Project also offers the learner an opportunity to step free of the blind spots that automatically arise in fast paced get-it-done work situations. The topic of the Consultancy Project can be outside of the participant’s current role and function within the organisation in order to maximise learning and their appreciation of the more holistic and strategic aspects of the environment within which the organisation operates.
It is envisaged that four research and consultancy workshops will be provided to support completion of the module. These workshops do not attract ECTS credits.
The material delivered will be drawn from a fluid selection of possible content. The exact content and emphasis will in part evolve in response to learner interests and competence levels. The following is merely indicative of the topics to be covered;
Research Workshop #1
Introduction to the module. Managing the process of issue identification and research process
Research Workshop # 2
Each learner will present their research question to Faculty. This should refer to the theoretical framework that may be used for the study.
Research Workshop #3
Conducting primary research. Qualitative and quantitative research approaches and guidelines. Sources of information.
Research Workshop # 4
Techniques for analysing primary data. Submission guidelines.
The Consultancy Project is supported by research and consultancy workshops through semesters 3 and 4. There is significant self-directed learning involved with participants working individually on a real-time organizational project.
Supervision
An academic supervisor is assigned to each student and mentors and advises on their work over the final semester.
Academic Support Network
The members of the academic team delivering the research and consultancy workshops will be the main contact points for learners in relation to queries on research and consultancy techniques and associated issues. Lecturers who have delivered modules across semesters 1, 2 and 3 of the programme, along with the programme team, will provide assistance on relevant literature queries and general discussion respectively.
| Module Content & Assessment | |
|---|---|
| Assessment Breakdown | % |
| Other Assessment(s) | 100 |