UNIT 7027

Assignment Brief: Entry and diagnosis.

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INTRODUCTION

This Unit is about the initial entry and diagnosis stage of the consultancy cycle. It explores how to develop and nurture a positive client relationship and how to identify client needs and produce a proposal document.

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SCENARIO

Learners may use their own employment context, or that of another organisation with which they are very familiar, to base their assignment. However, in the case that they are not able to do so, please use the below scenario: –

You are employed as a management consultant and have been asked to examine how client/consultant relationships can be further developed to ensure positive outcome for all. Part of your task is to review how the client competencies can impact on the development of a successful intervention and which stakeholders need to be included at the initial stages of the intervention.

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TASK 1

Describe how a consultant may alter their approach to building relationships with a client who has good competencies and behaviours compared with a client with weak competencies and behaviours. Assess the effect the level of client competency may have upon the consultant/client relationship.

State three tools and techniques which can be used to establish positive working relationships and credibility with clients and critically evaluate how effective they are.

Assess the impact of the client/consultant on two different consultancy interventions

Explain why a consultant needs to demonstrate professionalism, ethics and confidentiality and evaluate why these factors are important in the consultant/client relationship.

List five possible expectations a client may have regarding the role of the consultant and explain how a consultant may be able to manage these expectations.

Guideline word count: 800 – 900 words

A.C. 1.1 – Assess the effect client competencies and behaviours have on the consultant/client relationship

A.C.1.2       – Critically evaluate a range of tools and techniques that can be used to establish positive working relationships and credibility with clients

A.C.1.3       – Assess the impact on consultancy interventions of consultant/client relationships

A.C.1.4       – Evaluate the role of professionalism, ethics and confidentiality to the consultant/client relationship

A.C.1.5       – Explain how to manage client expectations

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TASK 2

Identify four key individuals in the client and consulting organisation and assess the communication needs each may have during the consultation process.

For the four key individuals identified analyse their information requirements and levels of information access needed to ensure suitable communication is achieved.

Select four tools and methods which may be used to achieve effective communication with clients, stakeholders and consulting organisations. Evaluate each of the four tools or methods to judge how effective they are in communicating with clients, stakeholders and consulting organisations.

Guideline word count: 500 – 600 words

A.C. 2.1 – Assess the communication needs of key individuals in the consulting and client organisation

A.C. 2.2 – Analyse the information requirements and levels of information access for key individuals within consulting and client organisation

A.C. 2.3 – Evaluate tools and methods of effective communication within clients, stakeholders and consulting organisations

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TASK 3

In order to understand and manage client and stakeholder expectations the consultant must appreciate their perspectives, needs and views. Explain a minimum of four techniques a consultant may use to gather this information both internally and externally.

Critically evaluate the four chosen methods for information collection and explain why information sources need to be valid and reliable.

Guideline word count: 400 – 500 words

A.C. 3.1 – Explain the techniques a consultant may use to appreciate the clients perspective and the needs of stakeholders

A.C. 3.2 – Critically evaluate sources of information and methods of researching client`s issues

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TASK 4

Within the scoping process assess the significance of risk appraisal and benefit analysis for the organisation. Explain why some organisations are more risk averse than others.

Describe how a consultant can work with a client to agree a problem statement/scoping document and why agreement between the consultant and client is important.

When developing the scoping document explain the importance of identifying key constraints and success criteria at the start of the process.

Guideline word count: 500 – 600 words

A.C. 3.3 – Assess the significance of risk appraisal and benefit analysis to the scoping process

A.C. 3.4 – Explain how to agree a problem statement/scoping document with the client

A.C. 3.5 – Assess the importance of identifying key constraints and/or criterion for success in scoping client needs