MQM2STC: Strategic Technology Consulting

Module code: MQM2STC

Module provider: Business Informatics, Systems and Accounting; Henley Business School

Credits: 20

Level: Postgraduate Masters Stage 2

When you'll be taught: Semester 1 / 2

Module convenor: Dr Vaughan Michell, email: v.a.michell@henley.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: No placement specified

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: No

Talis reading list:

Last updated: 28 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This module explores the role and nature of IT consultancy in the context of developing strategic ICT technology solutions to support business strategy. It develops knowledge and skills in the use of consulting tools for modelling and analysis of technologies as internal or external consultants. It explores the principles of consulting and digital technology strategy and problem solving methods and transformation techniques to enable students to identify, analyse and develop proposals to meet the strategic technology needs of competitive digital businesses,

The module aims to develop a knowledge of digital technology strategy and consulting techniques to support the development of a coherent technology strategy appropriately aligned to an organisation’s business strategy for internal and external business clients.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

•1. Develop knowledge of consulting principles and interventions

•2. Ability to apply a range of analytical consulting tools, methods and techniques

•3. Create and implement innovative technological strategies to support the development of new products, processes and services that align with the company’s business strategy, and develop and communicate compelling business proposals to support these.

•4. Develop and implement technology lifecycle roadmaps, assessing different technical options and developing technology strategies aligned with business priorities and agreeing the case for change from senior management;

•5. Demonstrate self-direction and originality in solving problems, and act autonomously in planning and implementing digital and technology solutions specialist tasks at a professional level;

Module content

The module covers the following topics:

• Principles of Consulting

• Consulting Methods

• Strategic Digital Technology Domain Modelling and Capability Analysis

• Technology Strategy Solution Design

• Technology Transformation and Change Methods

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

This module will be taught in a blended learning approach, which mostly includes directed self-study, undirected self-study, workshops and case studies, and other learning activities. All lectures will detail the core material as they introduce the topics. During the module, students will follow a guided-learning path that will require them to read materials, access other core and optional learning materials and undertake a range of activities. In addition to the learning path, students will attend workshops. These are facilitated sessions that will help consolidate knowledge, apply it the workplace and develop higher order cognitive skills of analysis and evaluation. Students will be expected to relate their learning to their day-to-day work.

Teaching includes input from tutors, demonstrations of techniques and practice in small groups. Plenary discussion and table discussions are encouraged. Formative and summative feedback is given as appropriate.

Participants are expected to draw on their practical experience in their own or other organisations to support their learning and their assignments. They have access to the Virtual Learning Environment throughout the programme, until the end of their registration period.

Programme members are encouraged to keep a personal learning log, paper or electronic, during both this module and the complete programme. 

Study hours

At least 14 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 50% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

This module is subject to the Penalties for late submission for Postgraduate Flexible programmes policy, which can be found at:

https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmissionpgflexible.pdf

The Module Convenor will apply the following penalties to work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted up to one calendar month after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark; 
• where the piece of work is submitted more than one calendar month after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

• All lectures will indicate the core material with an introduction to the topics.

• A mix of reflective questions will be provided with videos and mini cases and tasks involving analysis and discussion of academic literature

Reassessment

Additional costs