Consulting Research Project

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2012:

For the purposes of considering requests for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements for this entry.

The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Students will be assigned to a Practicum Organisation where they will work individually or in pairs and undertake a structured business planning or business development exercise. This project will be supported by an individual academic supervisor and the Consulting Research Seminar subject which provides tools, techniques and reporting formats, and in depth work at the Practicum Organisation identifying the scope, opportunities, constraints and recommendations of the exercise. Students will learn to work with unstructured and incomplete information, to develop research and networks to support their enquiry, to work successfully in teams, and to present their findings and seek and receive constructive feedback in a range of settings. Students will also be encouraged to plan, reflect and modify their approaches to improve the outcomes of their efforts in managing their business project.

On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:

• Explain how the theory and practice of tertiary studies in commerce contribute to resolving real-world business issues;
• Research, analyse, evaluate and propose practical business options given the project constraints; and
• Identify key strategic questions, assess options, communicate progress and check direction with both team members, academic mentors and the practicum organisation.

• 5,000 word individual consulting research report, due end of semester (100%) OR
• 5,000 word paired consulting report (each individual in the team must contribute equally), due end of semester (100%)

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

On successful completion of this subject, students should have improved the following generic skills:

• Time management;
• Commercial awareness;
• Initiative within ambiguity;
• Independent learning, interpersonal skills and team skills;
• Verbal and written communication skills through discussion and assigned tasks;
• Project management;
• Team working;
• Communication skills in a business context;
• Research, problem solving, critical thinking;
• Documentation, preparation and presentation skills through assigned tasks and the practicum exercise.