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Study information

IT Consulting 2 - 2024 entry

MODULE TITLEIT Consulting 2 CREDIT VALUE15
MODULE CODEECM3443 MODULE CONVENERDr Vladimir Ryabov (Coordinator)
DURATION: TERM 1 2 3
DURATION: WEEKS 12 0 0
Number of Students Taking Module (anticipated) 15
DESCRIPTION - summary of the module content

An IT consultant requires a broad set of skills in business analysis, solutions development, network infrastructure, data, cyber security etc. You will use your consulting skills in order to advise clients on how to best utilise technology to meet their business objectives, overcome problems and increase productivity. You provide strategic guidance to clients with regard to technology and facilitate changing business processes through enhancements to technology solutions. You will provide technical assistance, and are often responsible for providing training.

Pre-requisite ECM3435 IT Consulting 1

AIMS - intentions of the module

The aim of this module is to extend your knowledge and skills in IT consulting with further exposure to real-world cases, addressing more advanced process and workflow design and improvement, enhancing your skills in dealing with clients and influencing others, and giving an introduction to support operations.

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES (ILOs) (see assessment section below for how ILOs will be assessed)

On successful completion of this module you should be able to:

Module Specific Skills and Knowledge.

1. Perform technical process improvement tasks in a range of environments to solve business problems.

2. Present optimised solutions to improve business process and workflows through improved technology.

3. Recommend options based upon risks, costs vs benefits, and impact on other business processes.

4. Participate in walk-throughs for IT, to identify and document key risks within a client’s organisation.

5. Support training of end-users in preparation for system activation.

6. Evaluate the success of a new system, process, initiative, etc.

7. Define system level business requirements by interviewing staff  

8. Prepare detailed specifications for all requests for development/modification to the system.

9. Perform scoping processes such as definition of approach, scope and resource requirements

10. Manage relationships and interact with multiple levels within a client organisation

11. Liaise with delivery project managers and manage client expectations

12. Ensure that implementation and support issues are appropriately escalated and that those problems are progressed in a timely manner

13. Evaluate the success of a new system, process, initiative, etc. applying measurements

Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge

14. Understand how consulting ties into project management, business analysis and business management

15. Develop the barriers to solving problems or maximizing opportunities

16. Present recommendations and influence action

17. Apply the different structured process approaches for consulting

18. Frame/define business problems objectively before solving them

19. Understand the importance of setting and agreeing expectations

20. Discover hidden requirements using probing techniques to establish trust, using open- and closed-ended questions effectively, and avoiding leading questions

Personal and Key Transferable / Employment Skills and Knowledge

21. Communicate orally and in writing

22. Solve problems creatively

23. Think analytically and critically

24. Organise your own work

25. Work to a deadline

26. Collaborate and negotiate

27. Make decisions

 

 

SYLLABUS PLAN - summary of the structure and academic content of the module

Introduction (2 weeks)

•          Introduction to case studies used throughout module

•          Advanced problem-solving techniques

 

Business process and workflow improvement (4 weeks)

•          Optimising processes and workflows

•          Change management; introducing improved technology solutions

•          Evaluating the success of a new system, process, initiative, etc.; measuring improvement

 

Managing client relationships (2 weeks)

•          Communication; interacting with multiple levels within a client organisation

•          Managing client expectations

 

Influencing (3 weeks)

•          Selling and negotiation skills

•          Presenting recommendations and influencing action

•          Addressing risks, costs vs benefits, and impact on business processes

 

Supporting system use (1 week)

•          End-user training e.g. in preparation for system activation

•          Dealing with and escalating implementation and support issues

LEARNING AND TEACHING
LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS (given in hours of study time)
Scheduled Learning & Teaching Activities 22 Guided Independent Study 128 Placement / Study Abroad 0
DETAILS OF LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS
Category Hours of study time Description
Scheduled learning and teaching activities 18 Online learning activity, including virtual workshops, synchronous and asynchronous virtual lectures and other e-learning.
Scheduled learning and teaching activities 2 Lectures
Scheduled learning and teaching activities 2 Group workshops
Guided independent study 128 Coursework, exam preparation and self-study

 

ASSESSMENT
FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT - for feedback and development purposes; does not count towards module grade
Form of Assessment Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length) ILOs Assessed Feedback Method
Contribution to class discussion N/A 1-27 Verbal
       
       
       
       

 

SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT (% of credit)
Coursework 60 Written Exams 40 Practical Exams 0
DETAILS OF SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT
Form of Assessment % of Credit Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length) ILOs Assessed Feedback Method
Process improvement assignment 60 3,000 words 1-27 Written
Written exam 40 2 hours 1-25, 27 Written
         
         
         

 

DETAILS OF RE-ASSESSMENT (where required by referral or deferral)
Original Form of Assessment Form of Re-assessment ILOs Re-assessed Time Scale for Re-assessment
Process improvement assignment (60%) Process improvement assignment 1-27 Completed over summer with a deadline in August
Written exam (40%) Written exam (2 hours) 1-25, 27 August assessment period
       

 

RE-ASSESSMENT NOTES

Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be deferred in the assessment. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.

Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) you may be required to sit a referral. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of referral will be capped at 40%.

RESOURCES
INDICATIVE LEARNING RESOURCES - The following list is offered as an indication of the type & level of
information that you are expected to consult. Further guidance will be provided by the Module Convener

ELE: http://vle.exeter.ac.uk

 

Reading list for this module:

Type Author Title Edition Publisher Year ISBN
Set Boutros, T., Purdie, T. The Process Improvement Handbook: A Blueprint for Managing Change and Increasing Organizational Performance 1st McGraw-Hill Professional 2013 978-0071817660
Set Freedman, R. The IT Consultant : A Commonsense Framework for Managing the Client Relationship 1st Pfeiffer 2000 ISBN-13: 978-0787
CREDIT VALUE 15 ECTS VALUE 7.5
PRE-REQUISITE MODULES ECM3435
CO-REQUISITE MODULES
NQF LEVEL (FHEQ) 6 AVAILABLE AS DISTANCE LEARNING No
ORIGIN DATE Friday 22nd January 2016 LAST REVISION DATE Tuesday 10th September 2024
KEY WORDS SEARCH Consulting

Please note that all modules are subject to change, please get in touch if you have any questions about this module.