IT consultancy and the role of an IT consultant

Structured approaches to consultancy

Probing

Revision of Business Analysis and Project Management

Framing the business problem

Moving from problems to requirements

Defining the scope of the project and preparing the proposal

Links between Business Analysis, Project Management and IT Consultancy

Presenting recommendations supported by research.

Ethics in IT consultancy

Technical Service Innovation

Service Innovation

Metrics

Service analysis and service process modelling

Client relationship management

Validation and Evaluation

Change management and user training.



This module will support the development and assessment of the following Core Knowledge, Skills and Behaviour from the DTSP Apprenticeship Standard:



Knowledge

K1 How organisations adapt and exploit digital technology solutions to gain a competitive advantage.

K2 The principles of strategic decision making concerning the acquisition or development of digital and technology solutions. For example, business architecture approaches such as capability models and target operating models.

K3 Principles of estimating the risks and opportunities of digital and technology solutions.

K4 Techniques and approaches involved in creating a business case for new digital and technology solutions. For example, journey, product and capability mapping and value chains.

K5 A range of digital technology solution development techniques and tools.

K10 Management techniques and theories. For example, effective decision making, delegation and planning methods, time management and change management.

K18 Techniques of robust research and evaluation for the justification of digital and technology solutions.

K20: Sustainable development approaches as applied to digital and technology solutions such as green computing.

Skills

S1 Analyse a business problem to identify the role of digital and technology solutions.

S2 Identify risks, determine mitigation strategies and opportunities for improvement in a digital and technology solutions project.

S3 Analyse a business problem to specify an appropriate digital and technology solution.

S13 Report effectively to colleagues and stakeholders using the appropriate language and style, to meet the needs of the audience concerned.

S15 Apply relevant legal, ethical, social and professional standards to a digital and technology solution.

Behaviours

B3 Acts with integrity with respect to ethical, legal and regulatory requirements ensuring the protection of personal data, safety and security.





This module will support the development and assessment of the following Specialist Route Knowledge, Skills and Behaviour from the DTSP Apprenticeship Standard:



IT Consultant

Knowledge

K29: Principles of different consulting methodologies. For example, issue-based, and hypothesis based.

K30: How consulting interfaces with project management, business analysis and business management

K31: Principles of change management within organisations

K32: The barriers to solving digital and technology problems or maximising opportunities.

K33: Approaches to presenting recommendations to stakeholders and influencing action.

K34: Approaches to analytical and critical thinking to define business problems objectively and create value for the client.

K35: Questioning strategies and active listening to ensure all requirements are gathered.

K36: The ethical and legal requirements in client and provider relationships.

K44: Approaches to change control and requirements management.



Skills

S24: Analyse client needs and determine how to advise them strategically through improved business processes, new ideas, or technology solutions.

S25: Effectively communicate value add to the client through a variety of media for example presentations, written reports, Storytelling in a professional setting through performing socio-technical process.

S26: Make evidence-based recommendations considering risks, costs, and benefits.

S27: Participate in walk-throughs for Information Technologies, to identify, document and evaluate key risks within a client’s organisation.

S28: Perform stakeholder analysis to identify, determine and deepen understanding of system requirements and develop client relationships.

S29: Effect change within an organisation through evaluation of a new system, process or initiative.

S30: Ensure legal and ethical requirements are accommodated in the development of digital and technology solutions.

S31: Evaluate the success¿of¿new¿systems,¿processes, or initiatives.

Assignment 1 – 40% (learning outcomes 1 and 2)
A strategic analysis of a service process using appropriate consultancy methods and software tools and techniques which highlights potential areas for improvement through use of ICT.



Assignment 2 – 40% (learning outcome 3 and 4)
A report which presents the design documentation and the proposed management of change.



Assignment 3 – 20% (Learning outcome 5)

A presentation of the business case for moving forwards with compelling evaluation of business benefits.



Assessing the following specialism KSBs

IT Consultant

Knowledge

K29: Principles of different consulting methodologies. For example, issue-based, and hypothesis based.

K30: How consulting interfaces with project management, business analysis and business management

K31: Principles of change management within organisations

K32: The barriers to solving digital and technology problems or maximising opportunities.

K33: Approaches to presenting recommendations to stakeholders and influencing action.

K34: Approaches to analytical and critical thinking to define business problems objectively and create value for the client.

K36: The ethical and legal requirements in client and provider relationships.

K44: Approaches to change control and requirements management.

Skills

S24: Analyse client needs and determine how to advise them strategically through improved business processes, new ideas, or technology solutions.

S25: Effectively communicate value add to the client through a variety of media for example presentations, written reports, Storytelling in a professional setting through performing socio-technical process.

S26: Make evidence-based recommendations considering risks, costs, and benefits.

S27: Participate in walk-throughs for Information Technologies, to identify, document and evaluate key risks within a client’s organisation.

S28: Perform stakeholder analysis to identify, determine and deepen understanding of system requirements and develop client relationships.

S29: Effect change within an organisation through evaluation of a new system, process or initiative.

S30: Ensure legal and ethical requirements are accommodated in the development of digital and technology solutions.

S31: Evaluate the success¿of¿new¿systems,¿processes, or initiatives.

The module will be delivered in a Blended Learning Mode consisting of face to face, online and guided learning sessions.



Teaching sessions will blend theory and practical learning and most importantly where possible contextualised in your workplace as part of your apprenticeship. Learners will be introduced to curriculum concepts and ideas and will then be able to apply theory to practical examples. In addition, students will be provided with a range of resources for independent study such as case studies, academic papers and industry case studies. There will be a mixture of practical and theoretical formative (mock or practice) exercises which will help students build knowledge and confidence in preparation for summative (formal) assessment.



The delivery will be delivered over two teaching blocks each block will be as follows:



Module Launch week: 12 hours.

There will be a module launch session consisting of up to 12 hours face to face contact time devoted to developing your understanding of the core purpose and assessment of the module. Learners will be presented with details of how the learning will be structure and how to access to the learning materials for the remainder of the module.



Structured Learning Sessions: 15 hours

Following the module launch week you will have a further 15 hours of contact time as a class with the module team. This will typically be as 10 x 1.5-hour online classes which will be a combination of activities including lectures, demonstrations, discussions, tutorials and seminars. Some sessions are likely to be in flipped classroom style, where you will be expected to watch online recordings, read materials or respond to practical activities in preparation for active engagement with problem solving in the online session.



1:1 Progress Checks: 1 hour

As a Blended Learner understanding your progress can be a challenge so you are allocated an hour of 1:1 time with your tutor (typically 3 x 20 minute). Some of these may be in small groups if appropriate. These sessions may be used to discuss key topics, troubleshoot salutations, review working drafts etc.



Guided Independent Learning: 178 hours.

The module leader will provide resources through the virtual learning environment which will include videos and presentations as well as links to useful websites and other resources. Additional academic learning will be achieved through reading around the subject area, module tutors will suggest useful texts, though many others will be suitable and can be found in our e-library. You should also draw on the expertise in your workplace via your workplace mentor and other colleagues. If you require help understanding any of the concepts, you should contact your module tutor for assistance.

As an apprentice you are constantly developing your Digital Skills as part of your substantial role, and this applies to the development of the knowledge for your modules too. In some cases, there will be a significant cross over between the module content and in others less so, depending on the nature of your workplace duties, this will have direct impact on to the number of Independent Learning required.



Within the Independent learning time you will be expected to complete your assignments, as a guide a typical module assignment should take around 120 hours to complete.

Demonstrate knowledge and systematic understanding of the consultancy role, its interface with project management, business analysis and business management, key methods and the ethics and legislation around IT consultancy

Critically analyse client needs, identify barriers to success and undertake stakeholder and risk analyses and provide recommendations considering risks, costs, and benefits for improvement

Understand the importance of client relationship management including setting expectations and presenting information in a way that is appropriate to a job role and position in an organisation

Demonstrate knowledge and systematic understanding of the principles of change management within organisations

Critically evaluate the potential success¿of¿new¿innovations and present a compelling business case including design documentation, change management and implementation plan

All texts and electronic resources will be updated and refreshed on an annual basis and available for students via the online Study Links resource platform. All reference materials will be collated and curated and aligned to Equality, Diversity & Inclusion indicators.



Optional Texts:

Hughes, B., Hughes, B. and Ireland, R. (2019)¿Project management for IT-related projects. Third edition. Edited by B. Hughes. Swindon, UK: BCS Learning and Development.



Sarra, N., Solsø, K. and Mowles, C. (2023)¿The Complexity of Consultancy: Exploring Breakdowns Within Consultancy Practice. 1st edn. Milton: Routledge. Available at: https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003095941.



Kristensson Per, K., Witell Lars, W. and Magnusson Peter, M. (2019)¿Service innovation for sustainable business: stimulating, realizing and capturing the value from service innovation. Hackensack, NJ: World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1142/9789813273382.

The Internet¿and office software

Access to VLE (Blackboard)¿
Business process modelling (CASE) tool such as QSEE, Vision, etc

As an IT consultant you will be working in partnership with customers offering advice about how IT can be used to resolve business problems or better meet their business objectives. You will provide an important link between end-users and technical staff, understanding customer requirements and their expectations. This module facilitates the development of consulting skills and requires you to follow a structured consultancy process. It aims to provide you with the consulting skills required to build a compelling business case for change, present recommendations and influence action. Service process improvement is an important area of work for IT consultants as technology both drives and facilitates service innovation. As part of this module, we will look at service processes in detail. You will then be required to benchmark current service metrics, design an improved technical service process and evaluate the success (or potential success) of the improved process both in terms of return on investment and improvement to metrics such as productivity and efficiency