Each group will be required to make a presentation of the key report findings to the client and class (recognising client confidentiality issues).  This presentation will be assessed and graded with major input from the client. 

These presentations will be of a maximum 20 minutes duration after which the group will take questions from the client, your classmates and the lecturer.  The lecturer will provide more details during the course, including the basis on which the presentations will be assessed.

In addition, the group may decide (or be requested) to make separate presentation/s to the client organisation.  These are strongly encouraged but will not be marked/assessed as part of the course.

The consulting report will be developed in three parts.

Part 1: Establishing the “Engagement Contract” (or signed Project Proposal / Charter) and Framing/Diagnosing the Issue.

This part involves:

• Explicating the client’s issue that is to be the topic of the report
• Developing a clear understanding of the obligations of both parties
• Establishing a clear understanding as to the scope of work and form of the report
• Agreeing respective roles and responsibilities, any key risks and dependencies (on people, information, etc.) that may need to be managed
• Establishing a project plan (responsibilities, accountabilities, timeline, key milestones, outputs and delivery date)
• Establishing clearly who will be the recipient of the report.

Note:

• Do not underestimate the problems that can result from ambiguity about any of the points listed above.  A copy of an agreement concerning the project must be signed and handed to the lecturer by the end of week 3 of the term.
• Ascertain the parameters of the issue. For example, it may have “internal” elements, (i.e. something very specific and operational within the organisation).  Additionally or alternatively, it may have “external” aspects, i.e., a broad matter of concern upon which the client would like a report (e.g. inter-firm alliances in the industry).
• The project issue has been deliberately chosen to require some up-front effort to define these clearly.  Thus skill in problem definition is a key management consulting skill and differentiates the project for this course from most other MGSM courses. 
• The report must be original, that is, it must not replicate one (or part of one) which has been prepared previously for some other purpose, whether in-house or as part of an educational qualification.

Part 2: Identifying the Analysis Methodology/ Collecting the Data

This part involves intensive investigation of the client’s issue. This should include:

• Group members discussing and agreeing the analytical approach (models, frameworks, etc) to be used.
• Incorporation of information on the issue as available in various secondary sources (e.g. journals, the Internet).
• Collection of data from inside the client’s organisation.

The critical activity on which you will be assessed will be your ability to add insights and value – not to reproduce or restate what is already known unless this is structured /framed in such a way that it brings new clarity to bear for the client.

Part 3: Developing the Client Report / Presentation

This part involves compiling a report and presentation that:

• Identifies and explains the Client’s issue
• Summarises the analysis and reasoning
• Presents a practical and detailed set of recommendations
• Provides an implementation approach and/or timetable

The activity on which you will be assessed will be your ability to structure a logical flow of reasoning and to argue in a tight, compelling way (a) what is being addressed, (b) why it is an issue, (c) what the key dimensions and implications / impacts of the problem are, (d) what the proposed solution encompasses; and of course, (e) how you have arrived at the proposed solution / recommendation.

Some instructions on the final client report:

• Executive Summary - 2 pages maximum.
• Typed in 11-point, Arial, 1.5 lines spaced, A4 paper.
• The main body of the report is to be produced in MS Word.
• Please provide 2 bound print copies and 1 electronic copy to be submitted in iLearn.
• Confidentiality of the report’s contents is assured.

Report length - Fifteen pages maximum (including Executive Summary).  Assignments longer than the prescribed limit will be penalised.  If you need to include extra material, you can do so in a small number of appendices that are clearly numbered and referred to in the body of the report.  Please assume that the appendices will only be read if they are relevant and useful. The client will have major input to the assessment and grading of the group presentation and the report.

This is due in Week 9 and represents 20% of the total unit mark. It must be 2000 words in length and details your personal and professional learnings obtained from the unit. Submission will be done in class in print form.

To be assessed by the lecturer