Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the main concepts, frameworks and processes that need to be considered when addressing an organisational project Utilise appropriate research, analysis and project management skills

MN6P05A Assignment brief Due date: 22nd of January 2024

The following brief is for the assignment on MN6P05A. Please read it carefully and use all material available on Weblearn to guide you. You will need to go beyond the material available, so please apply your research skills using reliable sources. For any questions, please ask your tutor or supervisor.

The assignment needs to satisfy the following learning outcomes (please consider these when completing the report):

1. Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the main concepts, frameworks and processes that need to be considered when addressing an organisational project Utilise appropriate research, analysis and project management skills
2. Take responsibility for initiating and controlling their own work and learning experience, demonstrating a high degree of personal effectiveness in order to manage their professional development
3. Source and utilise relevant information from a range of sources to support critical analysis, evaluation and problem-solving

Output required:

1. 10 minutes video (8-minute pitch and 2-minute reflection) - 20% weighing
2. Consultancy report (2500 words) - 80% weighing

This project will allow to practice your consultancy skills on a real-life company chosen by you. You are expected to do the project for the company yourself, MN6P05S prepared you for this occasion.

Finding an organisation to do your consultancy project with:

Here are just some suggestions on how you can find a suitable company to complete your consultancy project with, but the onus is on you to find a suitable firm promptly (by week 3).

Direct contact with companies:

1. Speak to the company you currently work for and ask if they would like you to do a consultancy project for them. You will need to discuss the scope, topic, and field to find something mutually beneficial (within your subject area of study). The benefits of doing this are that your employer will recognise you as proactive and engaged, and at the same time they will be finding out about your studies, abilities, and skills. This can lead to a graduate role within the company (it has in many cases in the past). If the graduate role doesn’t happen, you will have studied and learned about the company and can share that enthusiasm, engagement, and knowledge in any future job interview. A win-win situation ◆:"-
2. Speak to your friends and family who work in your subject area and do as above. This is a fantastic way to explore your network in your subject area and you never know what doors that might open for your future. Good luck!
3. Choose a company from the Small Business Clinic (SBC) and speak to Barry Dwyer about it. Suitable companies will be published in class and on Weblearn, so please check.

1. Speak to your supervisor or course leader for contacts in the industry. You might be surprised at the connections your supervisors or course leaders might have!

Consultancy work in some areas might be more difficult than others due to security requirements, i.e. aviation, but your course team is aware and is working hard on finding something suitable, so please check with them.

Find a company without making direct contact:

1. Think of a company that you would like to work for in the future, identify an organisational issue and conduct your research and consulting work. That way you can impress them with your knowledge in your application.

1. Another way of finding information about real companies is by choosing one from the TV show "Dragons Den". (available to watch for free via the BBC iPlayer App).

“Dragons Den” is a program where aspiring entrepreneurs from all industries pitch their companies to investors. You will gain a lot of information about the company, its financial figures, its industry, and its competitors. You can use this basic information to build your project. Through this process, you will also learn a lot about the mindset of investors, their questions as well as elevator pitches (the good, the bad, and the ugly). You never know when this knowledge might come in handy in the future. Neverthelessa bove all and regardless of how and who you choose for your project – your supervisor needs to agree with you.

As you can see there are many ways of finding suitable sources. Ideally, the project should be in the subject area of your course, be interesting to you (we want you to enjoy it) but at the same time support you in your future career plans. Please think about how you want to approach it and let me know. Our discussion in class will be around you finding and identifying a suitable project, so please start your research and thinking from the beginning and bring all your thoughts, research, plans, and ideas with you.

Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the main concepts, frameworks and processes that need to be considered when addressing an organisational project Utilise appropriate research, analysis and project management skills

Assignment preparation:

1. Video recording: The pitch needs to be recorded and 8 minutes long, and the reflection on your learning process needs to be 2 minutes of reflection. You will benefit from keeping a journal throughout.

In the pitch, we need to see you, the presenter (even if briefly). You can use PowerPoint slides, prezzi or other formats. Make sure that the information is well presented and clear (tables, diagrams, visuals, etc.). You must provide a PDW and an issue tree with a Gantt chart to show your proposed intervention.

Take responsibility for initiating and controlling their own work and learning experience, demonstrating a high degree of personal effectiveness in order to manage their professional development

2. Report

The consultancy report is a professional report that we want you to be proud of. It should be a document that you can take to a future graduate employer, illustrate your capabilities, and best work.

Suggested structure:

This report structure is a recommendation only. The final structure will be guided and supported by your supervisor.

Executive Summary (300 words)

Introduction to the company and project (700 words)

Details on the company, its background, and the overview of the project (Problem definition sheet) informed by relevant data and research (should include relevant analytical tool, i.e., PESTEL)

Main part: the result of the project including analysis (at least 2-3 relevant analytical tools), findings plus in-depth discussion on the application (1000 words).

Conclusion with recommendations and limitations based on your consulting work (500 words)

Reference list (not part of wordcount)

Appendices (including Performance Review – completed by you and your supervisor) (not part of wordcount)

Formatting

• Make sure it is well-structured, coherent, and excellently illustrated.
• Please use visuals, like tables, diagrams, and illustrations to portray your work in the best possible way to the reader.
• Use Arial size 11, 1.5 spacing.
• Follow the London Met guide to referencing / Referencing - Student Zone (londonmet.ac.uk)
• You should meet with your supervisor regularly to discuss your project and get support.
• Make use of our Academic Mentors for help and advice on assignments