Structure of the IT/IS industry and the roles of IS consulting

• Types of organisations involved, how they have evolved and where they operate
• The role of the internal consultant

Introduction, scoping and planning

• Gaining entry
• Contracting
• Stating a consultancy assignment
• Strategic analysis tools
• Meeting the client and qualifying opportunities

Business environment analysis

• Identifying problems and clarifying requirements
• Managing the customer's needs
• Business activity modelling and process modelling
• Stakeholder analysis
• The soft systems methodology in consulting
• Solution identification

Solution definition

• 'As is'-'To be' gap analysis
• Diagnosis and generation of options
• Creative thinking
• Critical success factors and key performance indicators

Proposals and contracts

• Bid management
• Invitations to tender, requests for information and requests for proposals
• Proposals
• Best and final offers
• Proposal evaluation
• Contracts and agreements
• Work packages
• Intellectual property rights

Solution appraisal

• Financial planning
• Charging
• Investment appraisal
• Evaluation and measurement of solutions

Programme and project management

• The Project Initiation Document
• Programme/project governance and PRINCE2
• Quality management
• Change control

Understanding teams

• Working in consultancy teams
• Negotiation and influencing skills
• Motivation
• Written communication and report writing
• Effective presentations

Disengagement and expansion

• Termination and withdrawal from an assignment
• Benefits confirmation
• Evaluation and follow-up

Managing the customer/consultant relationship

• The effective use of consultants
• Issues for sole practitioners
• Dealing with conflict
• The effective use of time

BCS Professional Certifications

This course prepares participants to sit the examinations for the BCS Professional Certifications (ISEB) in IS Consultancy. The Certificate in IS Consultancy Essentials is awarded to participants who pass a two-hour, closed book examination. Candidates who hold this certificate are able to progress to the next stage which involves a 45 minute oral examination. The full IS Consultancy Practice certification is awarded to candidates who pass the oral examination.

SFIA Mapping

This course supports skills CNSL levels 5 and 6, and RLMT levels 5 and 6.