Management in Practice
This skills-based module is designed to give you firsthand insights into organisational issues and test out your skills by means of a short consultancy project. This allows you to apply the knowledge you have been acquiring on the MSc to a real-life context – and, importantly, to understand more about the role of consultants in organisational interventions.
Project and preparation
In the final two weeks of the module you work in teams on a live consultancy assignment for a client organisation, analysing an identified problem situation and then developing recommendations on how to tackle this.
The first five weeks of teaching prepare you for this by introducing you to the principles of effective consultancy, looking also at the potential barriers to successful intervention and how to manage risk. Sessions then focus in detail on the range of skills, tools and techniques which consultants require, exploring which may be most useful in particular contexts.
Skills development
With a focus throughout on helping you become a reflective practitioner, this module will help you to understand the distinction between management as a profession and management as a process of influencing outcomes. It will give you practice in using different soft skills and tools to help you understand, manage and respond to complex business situations – and builds your skills in doing this while working in a team.
It will allow you to demonstrate your ability to apply theory to a practical situation, and also develop your skills and knowledge in important areas such as:
- preparing, leading and minuting client meetings
- structuring, visualising and communicating project results
- understanding strengths and weaknesses in relation to teamwork
- critically reflecting on the role of consultants in organisational interventions
Assessment
Groupwork 60%
Individual Coursework 40%
Tutor: Dr Martin Friesl
