Management Consulting Methods and Practice

Catalog description

MGMT 885 explores the methods and tools commonly used in the practice of management consulting. This course is intended for students interested in working in this field or working in organizations that hire management consultants. It is organized into the following topical areas: Management Consulting as a Discipline ¿ In this area, students learn how management consulting fits into the overall business marketplace and why/how firms engage management consultants as a resource. Tools, Methods, and Practices for Managing the Engagement ¿ In this area, students learn methods and practices commonly used to manage a project/engagement in a management consulting context. This area covers topics related to understanding the overall life cycle of a consulting engagement, as well as tools and techniques used to manage scope, time, people, finances, risks, and overall activity on a consulting project. Tools, Methods, and Practices for Research and Information Gathering ¿ In this area, students explore tools and techniques used by management consultants to conduct both secondary and primary research as means for investigation and learning. Tools, Methods, and Practices for Analysis and Solution Generation ¿ In this area, students learn tools, frameworks, and methodologies commonly used by management consultants to assess a client¿s needs, to analyze information, to generate potential solutions, and to evaluate potential solutions in a given context. Tools, Methods, and Practices for Change Management ¿ In this area, students learn theories, models, and frameworks related to overcoming barriers to change and to implementing change within a business organization. Tools, Methods, and Practices for Client Communication ¿ In this area, students learn tools and techniques used by management consultants to communicate with their client in order to effectively manage an engagement, to influence stakeholders, and to enhance impact of their work.