MSc BASM Consultancy Project

BMAN75530 MSc BASM Consultancy Project 60 Full year Postgraduate Taught Level 7 Dimitrija Kalanoski Unit coordinator 1 FHEQ level (Framework for Higher Education Qualifications) ' Masters/Integrated Masters P4 ' European Credit Transfer & Accumulation System Rating : 30.0 Group Consultancy Project is an alternative pathway to the traditional dissertation route, where students will step into the real world of business challenges. Students will collaborate with industry leaders to tackle complex, real-life problems, crafting innovative and practical solutions. This hands-on experience not only enhances their strategic and problem-solving abilities but also expands their professional network – empowering them to confidently navigate and succeed in today’s competitive market.Alliance Manchester Business School is a prestigious business school with high standards, as outlined in the MSc BASM program. To be considered for consultancy projects, students must demonstrate strong academic performance in the first semester (average of 65 and above). Deviation from the threshold would be considered in cases of mitigating circumstances.The unit is subject to the availability of a consultancy project, either sourced by AMBS and secured via the bidding process, or sourced by the student and approved by AMBS (see below for further details)I. Consultancy project where the project is sourced by Alliance MBSAMBS, primarily through the School's Postgraduate Careers Service, sources potential projects for the MSc BASM. Project details are documented in a pro forma. The program director may accept, reject, or request modifications to the brief and determines the number of students allocated to each project. Decisions are based on the following criteria:a) The project is broad enough to allow substantial research work.b) The project has clear boundaries, ensuring it is focused and feasible.c) The project requires academically rigorous methodology and the use of theoretical/conceptual frameworks or analysis.To be allocated to an AMBS-sourced project, eligible students must participate in a bidding process, during which clients select the student teams they wish to work with. While we strive to help every team secure a project, in the unlikely event that a team is not selected by any client, they will proceed with the dissertation route.II. Consultancy project where the project is sourced by the studentShould they wish, eligible students may also source their own project. They must provide a project brief and a contact person (if relevant) using the pro forma available on the Dissertation Blackboard page. The program director may accept, reject, or request modifications to the brief, based on the following criteria:a) The project is broad enough to result in substantial research work.b) The project has clear boundaries, ensuring it is focused and feasible.c) The project requires an academically rigorous methodology and the use of theoretical/conceptual frameworks or analysis.Although all projects, whether AMBS sourced or self-sourced, are reviewed by the program directors to ensure no or low risk, students remain responsi Group Consultancy Project is an alternative pathway to the traditional dissertation route, where students will step into the real world of business challenges. Students will collaborate with industry leaders to tackle complex, real-life problems, crafting innovative and practical solutions. This hands-on experience not only enhances their strategic and problem-solving abilities but also expands their professional network – empowering them to confidently navigate and succeed in today’s competitive market.Alliance Manchester Business School is a prestigious business school with high standards, as outlined in the MSc BASM program. To be considered for consultancy projects, students must demonstrate strong academic performance in the first semester (average of 65 and above). Deviation from the threshold would be considered in cases of mitigating circumstances.The unit is subject to the availability of a consultancy project, either sourced by AMBS and secured via the bidding process, or sourced by the student and approved by AMBS (see below for further details)I. Consultancy project where the project is sourced by Alliance MBSAMBS, primarily through the School's Postgraduate Careers Service, sources potential projects for the MSc BASM. Project details are documented in a pro forma. The program director may accept, reject, or request modifications to the brief and determines the number of students allocated to each project. Decisions are based on the following criteria:a) The project is broad enough to allow substantial research work.b) The project has clear boundaries, ensuring it is focused and feasible.c) The project requires academically rigorous methodology and the use of theoretical/conceptual frameworks or analysis.To be allocated to an AMBS-sourced project, eligible students must participate in a bidding process, during which clients select the student teams they wish to work with. While we strive to help every team secure a project, in the unlikely event that a team is not selected by any client, they will proceed with the dissertation route.II. Consultancy project where the project is sourced by the studentShould they wish, eligible students may also source their own project. They must provide a project brief and a contact person (if relevant) using the pro forma available on the Dissertation Blackboard page. The program director may accept, reject, or request modifications to the brief, based on the following criteria:a) The project is broad enough to result in substantial research work.b) The project has clear boundaries, ensuring it is focused and feasible.c) The project requires an academically rigorous methodology and the use of theoretical/conceptual frameworks or analysis.Although all projects, whether AMBS sourced or self-sourced, are reviewed by the program directors to ensure no or low risk, students remain responsible for following the university’s research ethics procedure and obtaining ethics approval at the outset. This includes submitting a completed Dissertation Title and Ethics Statement form by the deadline set by the School. It is also the students’ responsibility to obtain recorded consent from the project client at the outset in relation to the collection and use of data. Consultancy projects provide students with the opportunity for applied work. They serve as a critical tool for consolidating, applying, and expanding students’ knowledge of practical business problems and challenges. The process equips students with expertise in research methodologies—from formulating a study hypothesis to applying appropriate analytical techniques. It also fosters the ability to conduct independent research, synthesize findings, and present well-supported conclusions and recommendations. Beyond research, students develop critical reasoning skills as well as strong writing, presentation, and bibliographic skills, gaining valuable experience in managing a complex project from inception to final submission. Ultimately, the project process is an essential step in preparing students for rigorous professional challenges. <ul><li style="text-align:justify;">Critically apply key theories as analytical lenses to assess business operations and strategic capabilities.</li><li>Evaluate how organisational capabilities and resources are structured, managed, and leveraged, and apply these insights in identifying challenges and solutions..</li><li>Identify appropriate methodological strategies to address client business issues effectively, including challenges and limitations.</li><li>Analyse the systematic connections between organisational activities and processes to identify organisational issues and solutions.</li></ul> <ul><li style="text-align:justify;">Critically evaluate real-world business issues using relevant methods and theoretical frameworks.</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Employ a range of problem-solving and decision-making techniques—including those requiring subjective judgment—to analyse business challenges and recommend actionable solutions.</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Synthesise diverse qualitative, quantitative, and probabilistic data to produce coherent, evidence-based analyses of business issues.</li></ul> <ul><li style="text-align:justify;">Critically evaluate an organisation's internal and external contexts to identify core challenges and formulate strategic solutions that drive growth.</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Design, develop, and manage a comprehensive research project from inception to completion, clearly communicating its process in a logical manner.</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Reflect on personal and professional development in consultancy by engaging with feedback, self-assessing strengths and areas for further development, and formulating actionable improvement plans.</li></ul> <ul><li style="text-align:justify;">Communicate ideas clearly and coherently to professional audiences to support informed decision-making.</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Manage consultancy projects efficiently by adhering to timelines, meeting defined project objectives and deliverables, and effectively balancing time and resources.</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Demonstrate self-awareness and cultural sensitivity by engaging respectfully with diverse teams, clients, and addressing challenges in a professional manner.</li></ul> All projects are supervised, with supervisors assigned by the program director. The method and frequency of meetings with students are at the supervisor's discretion, within the guidelines set by AMBS and the University of Manchester.Supervisors are encouraged, though not required, to engage with clients to enhance the students’ learning experience, particularly through participation in interim or final presentations. 2 Written assignment (inc essay) 20% 3 Report 80% MSc Bus Analysis & Strat Mgt MSc Bus Analysis & Strat Mgt PGDT Dissertation Optional N 0