INMR86-Business Technology Consulting

Module Provider: Business Informatics, Systems and Accounting
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2019/0

Email: v.a.michell@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module provides the key principles of consulting applied to digital business technology. It covers the three levels of client engagement methodology. It also introduces a variety of problem solving tools and techniques suitable for analysis and solution development for digital business technology problems and consulting in related businesses aiming to use or are using digital technology. Finally, it develops practical skills in proposing and analysing digital business technology consulting problems via presentations and case studies in the area. 

Aims:

The Business technology consulting module is taught in three key parts. The first part addresses the theory of consulting, consulting structure, generic consulting methods and tools. The second part focuses on problem solving methods. In particular understanding and applying examples of specific framework tools and techniques to digital business technology problems. It also builds on consulting tools developed in the department and related methods of problem solving using standalone or enterprise architecture frameworks. The third part, consulting in practice, involves student case analysis and presentations to practicing consultants where students apply techniques learnt to practical business-technology problems. This three-part approach welds business and digital technology techniques with consulting methods to enable students to both identify and resolve current and future issues affecting client technology-focused organisations. Being able to respond well to time and complexity pressure whilst analysing a problem and developing a solution is a fundamental ability taught by the module. 

Assessable learning outcomes:

At the completion of this module, students will be able to: 

• Approach and resolve a range of consulting problems and construct highly persuasive consulting solution arguments that resonate with boardroom-level stakeholders;  


• Establish and understand a holistic analytical problem based view of an organisation and its architectural problems via architecture based frameworks to define solution options necessary to apply digital and non-digital systems to create and support business value and enable business sustainability; 


• Apply appropriate consulting methodology to conduct an analysis of the business performance, constraints, and problem variables and solutions and their benefit and impact on the stakeholders; 


• Produce a set of solution requirements which assist decision makers to formulate digital business technology (i.e. ICT systems) solution strategies to enable business improvement and sustainability; 


• Ability to understand and use consulting and technology related methods 


• Develop an analytical approach and evaluate consulting analysis results and use of the appropriate problem solving methods 

Additional outcomes:

Outline content:

The key content covered in this module includes: 

• Business technology consulting concepts and principles based on the theory on organisations and digital information systems; 


• Business technology analysis and related technology (digital and non-digital) problem solving methods for representing business context, business activities and IT activities, alignment of business performance and IT enabling methods; 


• Business consulting methods for analysing the business capabilities, the business problem, stakeholders’ influences, and change options; 


• Business consulting methods for formulating business technology problem solutions that meet the business objectives; 


• Evaluation methods for evaluating tangible and intangible benefits of the recommended business technology solutions and their implementation 

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

A range of teaching and learning methods including problem-based methods, interactive discussions, workshops, group interactions, and formative & summative assessment for achieving the assessable learning outcomes. 

Summative assessment- Examinations:
None

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

The assessed course work (100%) involves an individual 5,000-word coursework report. 

Submission is Summer term, week 5 (full time) week 7 (part time). 

Formative assessment methods:

Case study and discussion with consultants/experienced industry experts.

Penalties for late submission:

Penalties for late submission on this module are in accordance with the University policy. Please refer to page 5 of the Postgraduate Guide to Assessment for further information: http://www.reading.ac.uk/internal/exams/student/exa-guidePG.aspx 

Assessment requirements for a pass:

Students will be required to obtain a mark of 50% to pass the assessment. Pass criteria - To pass this module, the students must demonstrate their understanding on principles of business technology consulting and their ability to apply them satisfactorily.

Distinction criteria - To achieve distinction the students must exhibit their original thoughts and critical-analysis ability and an excellent understanding and ability to apply the methods in the module to the set problem.

Reassessment arrangements:

Reassessment will be by re-submission of coursework as required by the module convenor 

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

Last updated: 8 April 2019