This module aims to equip students with the practical skills and experience necessary to manage and deliver successful consulting projects, preparing them for careers in consulting or related fields. Students will develop technical, project management, and interpersonal skills through hands-on experience, learning to effectively manage team-based projects and meet tight deadlines. This real-world experience, working with a client in the Liverpool City Region, will enhance their employability and provide a valuable portfolio piece.

(LO1) Students will be able to critically apply a structured, solution-oriented approach to complex business problems, demonstrating autonomy in diagnosing issues, formulating strategies, and implementing evidence-based solutions.

(LO2) Students will be able to maintain strategic focus on project objectives and desired outcomes, effectively navigating high levels of complexity, uncertainty, and incomplete information to deliver actionable insights.

(LO3) Students will be able to critically evaluate and integrate qualitative and quantitative data, applying robust analytical frameworks and reasoning to generate well-substantiated recommendations for business decision-making.

(LO4) Students will be able to demonstrate professional consultancy skills by effectively gathering, interpreting, and leveraging organisational information, while beginning to establish and manage relationships with key stakeholders under guidance.

(S1) People Focused
Students will work with multiple stakeholders within the MBA programme and externally. This will be done through challenges posed in the curriculum and outside the curriculum, working and networking with businesses locally and internationally. In doing so students will demonstrate people-focused leadership by prioritising human agency and well-being in a dynamic, disruptive world. Develop inclusivity, transparency, and reflection through teamwork and decision-making exercises, while leveraging innovation to drive personal, organisational, and societal advancement in the digital age.

(S2) Authenticity
Students will develop emotional intelligence through coaching to enhance self-awareness and awareness of others in achieving long-term, purposeful goals. This will permeate with all modules, cultivating accountability by mastering time, resources, and relationships to problem-solve and take actions. In doing so students will act with integrity, foster trust, and engage in respectful challenge and debate.

(S3) Agility
Students will have opportunities to thrive in turbulence and uncertainty. Actively build personal and organisational resilience to embrace disruption, find solutions and keep learning in dynamic environments. Informed, relevant, forward-focused mindsets stemming from constant challenges inside and outside the classroom. Provide clear direction for people and organisations to navigate effectively through simulated and real work problem solving.

(S4) Digital
Students will use a number of digital tools and develop a mindset to confidently embrace new knowledge and technologies, leverage its future potential to inspire, to enhance connectivity, decision making and learning. To bring wisdom in leadership to navigate the new digital revolution and make positive impact. Innovate. Engage in respectful debate.

(S5) Global Perspective
All modules will indulge and challenges students to think globally and consider how they drive the wider global ethical, sustainable and environmental agenda, taking a purposeful approach to aligning people, planet and profit. Experience and appreciate how building partnerships to deliver innovate solutions to economic, environmental and societal challenges are needed to solve wicked problems, improve co-operation globally and be an agent of change.

Lectures (12.5 hours)
Lectures will introduce, explore, and critically assess key concepts, ideas, and practices relevant to the subject. A variety of resources, including journals, textbooks, online videos, media articles, and opinion pieces, will be provided in advance for further reading and application across different contexts. The lecture will also outline expectations for the seminar by providing necessary guidance.

Seminars (17.5 hours)
Seminars will create an interactive environment where participants engage individually or in groups in activities such as case studies and scenario analysis. These sessions will encourage the practical application of concepts introduced in the lectures.

Peer-to-Peer Learning (3 hours)
Peer-to-peer learning fosters a collaborative approach where participants learn from and teach each other through active discussions, idea exchange, and feedback. This method enhances critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills while building a sense of community and mutual support among learners.

Self-Directed Learning (67 hours)
Participants will be expected to review a range of materials, including core and recommended readings, reports, and articles available through libraries and open-access sources. Additionally, they will conduct independent research using both academic and non-academic sources to support their learning and assessment. Lecture notes will provide guidance, and suggested answers or solutions will be available for seminar activities. Participants should complete seminar tasks as instructed before progressing to the next topic.

2.5 hour lecture x 5
3.5 hour seminar x 5
36 mins asynchronous or peer to peer directed learning x 5
67 hours self-directed learning

Introduction to managing consulting projects, e.g.:

The client-consultant relationship;

MECE framework for consultancy practice.

Overview of client organisation and task description, e.g.:

Company and industry background;
Current situation and problem;
Project task and procedure.

Project management, e.g.:

Project phases and team dynamics;
Developing a structured work plan;
Working in teams.

Storyline development, e.g.:

Presentation structure;
Situation-Complication-Question-Answer format;
Introduction to the pyramid principle.

Selected deep-dives in formal or informal tutorial sessions as required, e.g.:

Market research;
Data analysis;
Time management;
Interviewing clients.

Reflection, e.g.:

What have we learned in terms of project management?
What are the most efficient and effective approaches to gather client data?
How can consultants contribute to a posi tive client relationship?