Integrative Business Consultancy Project

BMAN75470 Integrative Business Consultancy Project 60 Full year Postgraduate Taught Level 7 Tatiana Martinez Unit coordinator 1 FHEQ level (Framework for Higher Education Qualifications) ' Masters/Integrated Masters P4 ' European Credit Transfer & Accumulation System Rating : 30.0 This three-semester capstone course runs in parallel with all other units in the programme, offering students the opportunity to apply their cumulative knowledge in a practical, real-world setting. Working in groups, students will tackle a complex case study. Starting with an initial scenario, they will conduct thorough research and analysis to identify the core problem, subsequently developing an innovative, technical solution that aligns with business strategic objectives and growth. Throughout the project, students will employ project management principles to plan, implement, and adapt their strategies effectively, refining their skills in problem-solving, critical thinking, and digital transformation leadership. This process will allow them to integrate insights from co-requisite course units, honing their ability to direct change, ask strategic questions, and deliver impactful solutions in a dynamic business environment. The course culminates in a showcase event where student groups pitch their solutions and detailed deployment plans. This final presentation serves as an opportunity for students to demonstrate their consultancy, presentation, and solution-selling skills.   This three-semester capstone course runs in parallel with all other units in the programme, offering students the opportunity to apply their cumulative knowledge in a practical, real-world setting. Working in groups, students will tackle a complex case study. Starting with an initial scenario, they will conduct thorough research and analysis to identify the core problem, subsequently developing an innovative, technical solution that aligns with business strategic objectives and growth. Throughout the project, students will employ project management principles to plan, implement, and adapt their strategies effectively, refining their skills in problem-solving, critical thinking, and digital transformation leadership. This process will allow them to integrate insights from co-requisite course units, honing their ability to direct change, ask strategic questions, and deliver impactful solutions in a dynamic business environment. The course culminates in a showcase event where student groups pitch their solutions and detailed deployment plans. This final presentation serves as an opportunity for students to demonstrate their consultancy, presentation, and solution-selling skills. The unit aims to:1.           To enable students to apply theoretical knowledge and practical skills from other course units to real-world, complex business problems.2.           To foster collaborative teamwork and enhance students’ ability to function effectively in consultancy roles, tackling industry-relevant challenges.3.           To develop students' problem-solving, research, and analytical skills, enabling them to propose innovative technical solutions that support business strategy and growth.4.           To provide students with hands-on experience in project management with emphasis on planning and execution.5.           To cultivate students'’ communication and presentation skills, particularly in articulating solutions and strategies to stakeholders.6.           To prepare students to take on leadership roles in their future careers, equipping them with the ability to drive digital transformation initiatives in practice. Knowledge and understanding  KU1 Integrate and apply theoretical concepts and practical skills acquired from other course units to solve complex, real-world business problems. KU2 Utilise project management tools and techniques to plan, execute, and manage the consultancy project effectively Intellectual skills  IS1 Use advanced research methodologies to collect, analyse, and synthesize relevant data to identify key issues and inform decision-making. IS2 Design and propose a comprehensive, innovative technical solution that aligns with strategic business objectives and growth potential. IS3 Critically reflect on the project process, including challenges faced, strategies employed, and lessons learnt. Practical skills  PS1 Identify key stakeholders and engage in effective consultation processes. PS2 Develop a robust business case and deployment plan that articulates the solution’s value proposition, feasibility, and expected impact. PS3 Utilise strategic thinking and problem-solving techniques to drive innovation and solution-oriented approaches. Transferable skills and personal qualities  TS1 Collaborate effectively in a project team, including role distribution, communication, and conflict resolution. TS2 Produce a structured consultancy report on digital transformation.  TS3 Deliver a persuasive presentation to communicate key digital transformation strategies to a specialist and non-specialist audience.   Syllabus (indicative curriculum content):Week 1: Course introduction and overview • Introduction to the consultancy project’s objectives, expectations, deliverables, and assessment criteria. • Overview of project management principles and effective group dynamics. Week 2: Introduction to the case • Introduction to case study. Week 3: Understanding the consultancy role • Exploration of consulting skills: stakeholder engagement, communication, and problem-solving. • Discussion of consulting methodologies and ethical considerations in consultancy projects. Week 4: Problem framing and project scoping • Techniques for defining and framing complex business problems. • Engaging with the initial scenario: Understanding the needs, challenges, and business context of a client. Week 5: Stakeholder engagement and consultation • Approaches to effective stakeholder engagement, including communication strategies. Week 6: Project planning   • Developing a project plan: Timeline, milestones, resource allocation, and risk management. Week 7: Data collection techniques • Advanced techniques for collecting and analysing data relevant to the project. • How to use data to identify key problems, opportunities, and customer pain points. Week 8: Industry analysis and market research • Techniques for conducting market research and competitive analysis. • Identifying industry trends, opportunities, and potential disruptions relevant to the case study. Week 9: Presentation skills and influencing stakeholders workshop • Techniques for delivering a persuasive presentation: Storytelling, visual aids, and addressing key stakeholders. • How to tailor presentations to influence various stakeholders effectively, highlighting value and impact. Week 10: Showcase preparation • Mock presentations. Week 11: Semester 1 Showcase • Presentations and feedback on solution proposals. Week 12: Refining the problem statement • Reviewing research findings. • Techniques for narrowing down to a specific, actionable problem statement. Week 13: Developing a deployment and implementation plan • Steps to create a detailed deployment plan: resource allocation, timeline, and risk mitigation. • Incorporating change management strategies for successful implementation. Week 14: Preparing a business case and value proposition • Building a business case: Demonstrating how the solution supports business strategy and growth. • Defining a clear value proposition and key performance indicators (KPIs) for success measurement. Week 15: Negotiation and influencing workshop • Techniques for negotiation and influencing key stakeholders in a consultancy setting. • Role-playing exercises to practice negotiation scenarios, including handling objections and aligning interests. Week 16: Evaluating and selecting a solution • Criteria for evaluating potential solutions: Feasibility, impact, innovation, and alignment with business strategy. • Techniques for conducting a cost-benefit and risk analysis. Week 17: Incorporating feedback • How to interview stakeholders to test and evaluate solutions. Week 18: Solution design and technical detailing • Prototyping and proof-of-concept development. • Testing methodologies: Usability, functionality, and feasibility testing. Week 19: Leadership workshop • Leadership styles and their role in leading digital transformation projects. • Strategies for leading change, building consensus, and motivating teams in complex projects. Week 20: Project closedown and review • This course will consist of lectures (20 hours), seminars/labs (20 hours), showcase presentations (8 hours), and guided independent study (552 hours).This course will consist of lectures, whereby students will be required to have used part of their independent learning hours to prepare making use of resources made available prior to lectures (pre-recorded videos, readings, news, digital tools, and resources made available by tutors leading co-requisite courses). The course will also consist of weekly seminar/lab sessions, which will offer students the opportunity to integrate learning outcomes from other core (and optional) units, putting these into practice by making use of project management principles. Digital transformation solutions will be presented by students at showcase events (one per semester). Students will also have independent learning time to work on their solutions in addition to preparation for lectures. 2 Written assignment (inc essay) 20% 3 Report 40% 7 Oral assessment/presentation 40% Summative Assessment Task Group Presentation Showcase 1 - 20%- Written feedback via CLEGroup Presentation Showcase 2 - 20%- Written feedback via CLEGroup Report - 40% - Written feedback via CLEIndividual Reflective Essay - 20% - Written feedback via CLEFormative Assessment TaskGroup Report (x2) - Written feedback via CLE N Core Text:Maylor, H; Turner, N. (2022) Project Management. Pearson.  Rogers, D.L. (2023) The Digital Transformation Playbook: Rethink Your Business for the Digital Age. Columbia University Press.Supplementary Text:Gupta, S. (2018) Driving Digital Strategy: A Guide to Reimagining Your Business. Harvard Business Review. Hess, T. (2022) Managing the Digital Transformation: A Guide to Successful Organizational Change. Springer Nature. Nieto-Rodriguez, A. (2021) Project Management Handbook. Harvard Business Review. Ross, J.; Mocker, M.; Beath, C. (2019) Designed for Digital: How to Architect Your Business for Sustained Success.  MIT Press. Saldanha, T. (2019) Why Digital Transformations Fail: The Surprising Disciplines of How to Take Off  and Stay Ahead. Berrett-Koehler Publishers.   Demonstration 8 Lectures 20 Seminars 20 0 552