Module Code - Title:
EP4008
-
BUSINESS CONSULTING
Year Last Offered:
2025/6
Hours Per Week:
Grading Type:
N
Prerequisite Modules:
Rationale and Purpose of the Module:
Small and medium sized enterprises are constantly evolving and seeking new opportunities to expand and develop their existing businesses which requires external expertise and advice. This advice can range from guidance on new market and product development to overall strategy development, implementation and evaluation; how to develop growth strategies; and to gain objective and expert advice on how they can implement change in their firm successfully. This module will introduce students to the principles and processes of management consultancy and provide them with the opportunity to adopt the role of a professional management consultant, to apply experiential knowledge and concepts learned in the classroom to real-life business situations.
Syllabus:
The aim of this module is to provide students with an understanding of the business consulting process and gain knowledge and expertise in how to manage a business consulting project efficiently and effectively. The module will address the following topics: the nature of business consulting; the skills of an effective consultant; developing a research consultancy contract ; managing the client-consultant relationship; the stages of consulting process; problem diagnosis and solution development; Project planning; Identifying and evaluating recommendations and their implementation; the ethics of conducting business consulting.
Learning Outcomes:
Cognitive (Knowledge, Understanding, Application, Analysis, Evaluation, Synthesis)
• Understand the role of a professional consultant and various stages of the business consulting process
• Formulate a business consulting proposal to facilitate effective project management
• Critically identify and diagnose problems presented
• Gain knowledge in the various tools and techniques that can be adopted in developing solutions for the consulting project
• Formulisation of a professional consulting report
• Display an understanding of the dynamics of business consulting
• Demonstrate a competence in problem diagnosis and solution development
Affective (Attitudes and Values)
• Practical hands-on experience of engaging with a client organisation in a consulting capacity
• Co-operate with teams in completing the consultancy project
• Value the steps involved in the analytical and decision making process necessary in formulating, implementing and delivering an effective professional consulting report.
• Enhanced communication and networking skills.
Psychomotor (Physical Skills)
N/A
How the Module will be Taught and what will be the Learning Experiences of the Students:
Formal lectures will be held on the theoretical aspects of business consulting, including managing the client-consultant relationship, effective problem diagnosis and solution development and delivering an effective and professional consultancy report. Workshop sessions will be used to facilitate the effective management of the business consulting project.
In addition to the recommended text, students are encouraged to read appropriate publications from Enterprise Ireland and other government support agencies that provide insights that relate to the various topics covered in the module.
This module will develop the following attributes: knowledge, proactivity, collaboration, communication and creativity in students.
Research Findings Incorporated in to the Syllabus (If Relevant):
Prime Texts:
Baaji, M (2014)
"An Introduction to Management Consultancy",
, Sage Publications
Other Relevant Texts:
Wickham, L. and Wilcock, J. (2012) (2012)
Management Consulting- Delivering an Effective Project
, Pearson Custom Publishing: UK.
Programme(s) in which this Module is Offered:
BBBUSTUFA - BUSINESS STUDIES
BSFSHEUFA - FOOD SCIENCE AND HEALTH
BECIENUFA - CIVIL ENGINEERING
BSEQSCUFA - EQUINE SCIENCE
BEELENUPA - Electronic Engineering
BSINBIUFA - INDUSTRIAL BIOCHEMISTRY
BSWSTEUFA - Wood Science and Technology
Semester(s) Module is Offered:
Spring
Module Leader:
myles.kingston@ul.ie