Introduction to consulting essentials

Unit 5029-Introduction to consulting essentials

 

 

 

Introduction

 

This unit is about the nature of consultancy and development of the skills, knowledge and behaviours required in order to present a professional consultancy practice. It is also about the appropriate deployment of effective communications methods in a consultancy role.

 

 

 

Scenario

 

Learners may use their own employment context, or that of another organisation with which they are very familiar, to base their assignment. However, in the case that they are not able to do so, please useone of the below scenarios: –

 

1. a) Imagine that you are considering setting up in business as an independent consultant.

b)Imagine that you have been asked to act as a consultant conducting work within your own large organisation.

 

Use whichever scenario is most applicable to you to explore and respond to the tasks set out below.  Please state which scenario has been used.

 

 

 

Task 1:

 

Identify at least three different situations when organisations may find it helpful to use the services of a consultant, explaining the benefits this approach offers to the organisation, and how a consultant can add value.  Relate the importance of the consultant being able to demonstrate professional and ethical conduct to each of your example situations. Explain theprocess a consultant can use to establish credibility for effective engagement with clients.

Where possible use practical examples to illustrate your work.

 

Guideline word count:650 – 800 words

 

A.C.1.1 – Identify reasons why an organisation may employ the services of a consultant

 

Answer: In my role as consultant …..

 

A.C.1.2 – Explain how a consultant can add value to a client organisation

 

Answer: I believe …..

 

A.C.1.4 – Discuss the importance of professional and ethical conduct in consulting

 

Answer: Refer to the Institute code of ethics …..

 

A.C.1.5 – Explain how a consultant can develop credibility for effective engagement with client organisations 

 

Answer: In my role, I develop credibility by …..

 

This will be the same format for all tasks.

 

 

 

Task 2:

 

Using an example of a possible consultancy project, describe how each of the stages in the consultancy cycle would be applied.  Use a real life example where relevant.

 

Guideline word count:400 – 500 words

 

A.C.1.3 – Describe the stages in the consultancy cycle

 

 

 

Task 3:

 

Taking the consultancy competencies, evaluate your skills, knowledge and behaviours against the framework, identifying the areas where there are gaps in your current competence.  Produce a personal development plan to fill the identified gaps, using SMART objectives.  Explain why, in a consultancy role, it is important to both plan for your own professional development, and adopt a reflective practice as part of your development activity.

 

Guideline word count:750 – 900 words

 

A.C.2.1 – Explain why it is important for a consultant to plan for personal professional development

 

A.C.2.2 – Evaluate current skills knowledge and behaviours against those identified in the consultancy competency framework

 

A.C.2.3 – Produce a personal development plan to support development

 

A.C.2.4 – Explain the importance of reflective practice in developing oneself as a consultant

 

 

 

Task 4:

 

Produce a list of at least five methods of communication and provide examples ofthe types of circumstance when each of these could be used by a consultant, looking at the benefits and drawbacks that might result, including the impact on the client relationship.Provide at least two examples of situations when it would be appropriate to use more than one method of communications in the consultancy cycle, explaining why the mix of methods is important in each case. Describe at least three key differencesin communicating with an organisation as a consultant when compared withcommunicating as an employee or customer, highlighting the challenges this creates.  Throughout your examples, show recognition of the impact of verbal and non-verbal communications, and an understanding of communications theory.

 

Guideline word count:800-950 words

 

A.C.3.1 – Evaluate different methods of communication available to a consultant

 

A.C.3.2 – Evaluate the importance of using diverse communication methods with clients

 

A.C.3.3 – Explain the impact of communication methods on the client relationship

 

 

 

 

A.C.3.4 – Assess the communication challenges facing a consultant to the client organisation

 

 

 

 

Unit 5030 – Planning and managing consultancy interventions

 

 

 

Introduction

 

This unit is about you being able to demonstrate an understanding of how to plan and manage consultancy interventions using both the consulting cycle and project management techniques. It is also about being able to conduct and conclude a consultancy intervention.

 

 

 

Scenario

 

Learners may use their own employment context, or that of another organisation with which they are very familiar, to base their assignment. However, in the case that they are not able to do so, please use one of the below scenarios: –

 

1. a) Imagine that you are considering setting up in business as an independent consultant.
2. b) Imagine that you have been asked to act as a consultant conducting work within your own large organisation.

 

Use whichever scenario is most applicable to you to explore and respond to the tasks set out below. Please state which scenario has been used.

 

 

 

Task 1:

 

Describe at least three different types of consultancy intervention, and for each of these discuss the approaches available to a consultant. For each type of intervention, critically appraise the role of planning and preparation, and the importance of scoping the wider picture outside the confines of the immediate project terms of reference. Use practical work based examples if possible, or the scenario above to illustrate your answers.

 

Guideline word count:600 – 700 words

 

A.C. 1.1 – Discuss different types of consultancy interventions and approaches available to a consultant

 

A.C.1.2 – Evaluate the role of planning in consultancy interventions

 

A.C.1.6 – Evaluate the importance of scoping to a consultancy intervention

 

 

 

Task 2:

 

Using one of the types of consultancy intervention you described in task 1, explain where and

 

 

 

how each of the stages in the consultancy cycle fits into the intervention, and what would be

the expected inputs, deliverables and outputs at each stage.  Identify some of the potential challenges and risks that could occur at different stages of the cycle, and how these might be overcome. Use real life examples where possible.

 

Guideline word count:300 – 400 words

 

A.C.1.3 – Explain the stages of the consultancy cycle

 

A.C.1.4 – Identify the inputs and deliverables at each stage of the consultancy cycle

 

A.C.1.5 – Explain how to overcome challenges and risks which may arise during the consultancy cycle

 

 

 

Task 3:

 

Use an example of a consultancy project to design a plan which incorporates all the necessary components for effective project management. Identify the infrastructure required to deliver the project. Highlight the systems and practices which can be used to identify and manage project risks. Critically appraise the requirement to budget for the financial and non-financial resources required to deliver the project and the key role of the project leader in providing quality assurance.  Discuss the consultant’s role in the project delivery and the skills required to perform this task effectively.  If relevant, use a practical example to illustrate your answer.

 

Guideline word count:900 – 1,100 words

 

A.C.2.1 – Identify the components of an effective project plan

 

A.C.2.2 – Evaluate the need for budgeting of financial and non-financial resources

 

A.C.2.3 – Develop systems and practices to identify and manage potential risks to the achievement of project objectives

 

A.C.2.4 – Identify an appropriate infrastructure to support project delivery

 

A.C.2.5 – Assess the impact of the consultant’s own role and skills in project delivery

 

A.C.2.6 – Evaluate the importance of the project leader quality assuring the work of the project team

 

 

 

Task 4:

 

Using the example provided in Task 3, discuss how the requirement for data gathering for the project will impact on the resources required and evaluate the contribution this will make to the project. Describe at least three different data analysis tools or models that can be used in a consultancy project and analyse the advantages and disadvantages of each, evaluating the contribution using a range of tools or models can make to the success of a project.  Explain how to use the findings from the project work to develop sound conclusions and the process of developing recommendations, showing that you understand the principles of good management report writing.

 

 

 

 

Guideline word count:700 – 900 words

 

A.C.3.1 – Identify the resource implications for gathering different types of data/information and evaluate their contribution to the project

 

A.C.3.2 – Select a range of data analysis tools/models and evaluate the contribution to the success of an intervention project in using a range of tools/models

 

A.C.3.3 – Explain how to develop a cohesive set of conclusions/findings

 

A.C.3.4 – Describe the process of developing recommendations from the analysis