260801 Technology Consultation Studio

Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.

Subject handbook information prior to 2024 is available in the Archives.

UTS: Business
Credit points: 6 cp

Subject level:

Postgraduate

Result type: Grade and marks

Requisite(s): 570001 Stakeholder Engagement and Storytelling AND 260800 Business Processes AND 570002 Application Implementation with Microsoft Dynamics AND 18 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C11355 Graduate Certificate Business Consulting and Technology Implementation

Description

The studio focuses on developing students’ business consulting skills. It is highly applied and framed as a Microsoft dynamics implementation project, through which students learn and apply problem solving concepts, tools and techniques. Students undertake an implementation project with the objective of aligning Dynamics 365 capability to client needs. They work in teams to conduct structured research and analysis to evaluate client needs, organisational resources, capabilities and processes. They then rethink implementation choices, identify opportunities and solutions, and assess their impact on the client organisation. Students present their recommendations as a structured, persuasive strategic narrative.

Subject learning objectives (SLOs)

Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:

1.	Apply problem solving tools and techniques to scope client challenges and identify/map Dynamics 365 capability to client needs
2.	Research and critically assess different data types to gain in-depth insights relevant to specific challenges
3.	Construct and effectively communicate a strategic narrative to diverse stakeholders
4.	Demonstrate responsibility and advanced skills in stakeholder management

Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)

This subject also contributes specifically to the following program learning objectives:

Utilise information technology, business and communication theoretical and technical knowledge to select methodologies and configure appropriate solutions to complex problems (1.1)
Apply advanced critical thinking and analytical skills to evaluate information, develop creative insights and make recommendations for business and operational improvement (2.1)
Apply principles of ethics, sustainability and social responsibility to decision-making in the professional context (5.1)
Employ interpersonal skills and communication strategies to effectively engage and influence diverse stakeholders at multiple levels (6.1)

Contribution to the development of graduate attributes

This subject is designed to integrate and apply knowledge of developing insights towards client opportunities and challenges and how these can be addressed with the help of Microsoft Dynamics 365. Students learn and apply new knowledge and skills to real business situations, practice critical, analytical and creative thinking and work collaboratively to develop and communicate a strategic gap analysis. Through experiential learning activities and industry embedded creative problem solving, students develop and practice new knowledge and skills.

This subject contributes to the development of the following graduate attributes:

Professional Readiness
Critical and Creative Inquiry
Active Citizenship
Effective Communication

Teaching and learning strategies

This subject is delivered online over six weeks, in addition to Orientation week. Students work through each online module at their own pace, with asynchronous interactive activities attached to each module/topic. Activities provide opportunities to learn, apply and discuss the knowledge gained in a practical manner. Within each module, content is delivered through a mixture of reading material, short videos, interactive activities and both essential and suggested readings. Online synchronous sessions are held four times during the session – in Orientation week, and weeks, 2, 4 and 6 – to allow students to interact, ask questions of teaching staff, and receive clarification for assessments.

Content (topics)

Structured thinking and planning
Strategic business analysis
Design thinking
Synthesis and sense-making
Presentation and communication
Client management
Ethics, integrity and professionalism

Assessment

Assessment task 1: Problem solving report (Individual)

Objective(s):	This addresses subject learning objective(s): 1, 2 and 3 This addresses program learning objectives(s): 1.1 and 2.1
Weight:	40%
Length:	approx. 15 PowerPoint slides (additional slides can be included in the Appendix).
Criteria:	Students will be assessed based on the quality of the report including on: Analysis of client’s strategic priorities and challenges Application of problem solving tools and techniques Assessment of suitability of specific Microsoft Dynamics 365 solutions in the context of the client strategic priorities and challenges Professionalism of report

Assessment task 2: Client maturity assessment report (30% Group and 30% Individual)

Objective(s):	This addresses subject learning objective(s): 1, 2, 3 and 4 This addresses program learning objectives(s): 1.1, 2.1, 5.1 and 6.1
Weight:	60%
Length:	approx. 3 pages for the individual contribution and approx. 15 slides for the group report (additional slides can be submitted in the Appendix).
Criteria:	Individually, students will be assessed based on their ability to apply tools, techniques and knowledge to a specific client situation to develop informed questions (individual assessment weighting 30%). Analysis of client’s strategic priorities and challenges Application of problem solving tools and techniques Evidence of critical reflection in relation to the questions and their relevance As a group, students will be assessed on the quality of maturity assessment report and their ability to communicate results visually and persuasively (group assessment weighting 30%). Insightfulness of analysis of client gaps Assessment of suitability of specific Microsoft Dynamics 365 solutions in the context of the client gaps Evidence of critical reflection in relation to the ethical and responsive implementation of Microsoft Dynamics 365 to address these gaps Professionalism of report

Minimum requirements

Students must achieve at least 50% of the subject’s total marks.

Required texts

There are no required texts for this subject. Recommended readings will be available via the UTS Library and through the subject Canvas site.

References

Garrette, B., Phelps, C., & Sibony, O. (2018). Cracked it!: how to solve big problems and sell solutions like top strategy consultants. Palgrave Macmillan.

Kimbell, L. (2014). The service innovation handbook: action-oriented creative thinking toolkit for service organizations. BIS publishers.

Knight, E., J. Daymond, and S. Paroutis. (2020). Design-led strategy: How to bring design thinking into the art of strategic management. California Management Review 62(2): 30–53.

Liedtka, J. (2018). Why design thinking works. Harvard Business Review 96: 72–79.

Osterwalder, A., & Pigneur, Y. (2010). Business model generation: a handbook for visionaries, game changers, and challengers. John Wiley & Sons.

Stanley, D. & Castles, G. (2017) The so what strategy: introducing classic storylines that answer one of the most uncomfortable questions in business.

Van Der Pijl, P., Solomon, L. K., & Lokitz, J. (2016). How To Design a Better Business: New Tools, Skills, and Mindset for Strategy and Innovation. Wiley.

Wrigley, C., E. Nusem and K. Straker. (2020). Implementing Design Thinking: Understanding Organizational Conditions. California Management Review, 62(2): 125-143