Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 1, 2025 (24/02/2025 - 21/06/2025)
- Study level
- Postgraduate Coursework
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Psychology School
The aim of this course is to develop the knowledge and skills that a consultant needs to work effectively in an organisational context. Issues addressed include consulting models; consulting in different business contexts; organisational systems & functions; diagnosis, intervention & evaluation; budgeting; project management; negotiation & conflict management; strategic thinking and judgment; report writing; and presentation skills. The course is structured using an action-learning approach. Students work in teams on a series of case studies throughout the semester under the supervision and guidance of an experienced consultant. This involves assessing the needs of the client, defining the scope of the project, developing a project plan (including milestones and deliverables), developing a budget, preparing the proposal or tender, and making a pitch to the client.
This course aims to develop business skills for consultants in organisational contexts. The emphasis is on basic diagnostic and problem definition skills needed to be able to understand organisational issues and the use of psychological science to solve them.
This course is an internal mode only course
Course requirements
Assumed background
Enrolment in the Masters of Business Psychology course
Recommended companion or co-requisite courses
We recommend completing the following courses at the same time:
PSYC7415
Incompatible
You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:
PSYC7604
Restrictions
MPsychBus, or permission of Director of Organisational and Business Psychology programs
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Mrs Naomi Spencer
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Aims and outcomes
The aim of this course is to develop the knowledge and skills that a consultant needs to work effectively in an organisational context. Issues addressed include consulting models; consulting in different business contexts; diagnosis, intervention & evaluation; project management; stakeholder management; strategic thinking and judgment; report writing; and presentation skills. The course is structured using an action-learning approach. Students work on a series of case studies throughout the semester under the supervision and guidance of an experienced consultant. This involves assessing the needs of the client, defining the scope of the project, developing a project plan (including milestones and deliverables),ﾠ and making a pitch to the client.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Understand diagnostic and analysis tools that a business consultant needs to address organisational problems including appropriate scoping, process mapping and stakeholder management
LO2.
Conceptualise, design and conduct interventions and evaluations showing practical application of business consultancy skills and knowledge of psychological science through experience in practical case studies.
LO3.
Understand and demonstrate skills in business communications, contracting and evaluation to support the end to end consultant process and show professional skills
LO4.
Understand some of the key contemporary topics in business psychology
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Project | Scoping report | 15% |
7/04/2025 4:00 pm |
| Presentation | Group Presentation | 30% |
26/05/2025 4:00 pm
A copy of the presentation slides must be emailed to the course coordinator by 12 noon on presentation day 26/5/25 |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation | Case Study report | 55% |
9/06/2025 4:00 pm |
Assessment details
Scoping report
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance
- Category
- Project
- Weight
- 15%
- Due date
7/04/2025 4:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04
Task description
Following on from interviewing the client - groups will provide a brief project plan on how to approach the organisational problem.
Submission guidelines
via email
Deferral or extension
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
Contact Course Coordinator
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Group Presentation
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance
- Category
- Presentation
- Weight
- 30%
- Due date
26/05/2025 4:00 pm
A copy of the presentation slides must be emailed to the course coordinator by 12 noon on presentation day 26/5/25
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04
Task description
You and your group will present your findings as to the core underlying issues and your diagnosis of the situation. You will detail the reason for your diagnosis to the Exec committee of the division providing evidence for your conclusions and any empirical evidence for your approach.
Submission guidelines
A copy of the presentation slides must be emailed to the course coordinator by 12 noon on presentation day 26/5/25
Deferral or extension
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
If you are unable to complete your presentation you should discuss this your tutor and/or course coordinator to arrange for an alternate time to complete your presentation.
Case Study report
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation
- Weight
- 55%
- Due date
9/06/2025 4:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04
Task description
Based on your group work on the organisation case study, you will prepare an individual report fully detailing your recommendations for a way forward to address the organisational problems identified including a rationale for your recommendations (based on your diagnostics and best practice approaches) and timeline for implementation and identifying risks, dependencies, stakeholders and resources.
You will also present your recommendations for any additional work allocated to you by the Divisional Director.
Submission guidelines
Submit to HR director for organisation
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 14 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
For full details please review the School of Psychology Student Guidelines - Extensions and Deferred quiz/exam.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 0 - 19 |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 2 (Fail) | 20 - 39.9 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 40 - 49.9 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - 64.9 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 5 (Credit) | 65 - 74.9 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75 - 84.9 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
Additional course grading information
Students in this course are required to act ethically, legally and professionally at all times. This requirement applies to conduct within the course, and to the management of relationships with colleagues, University staff, external stakeholders, clients and members of the public and this behaviour will be counted as part of assessment.
All students are expected to apply the principles of respect, integrity and propriety, including self management, engagement with learning, and participation as part of a learning community, which are professional and postgraduate attributes. For example, this means that students are expected to prepare for each class (e.g., by completing background readings & exercises), actively participate in class participation and activities, and work effectively as a member of a group (e.g., by completing a fair share of group activities).
Submission of assessment will be personal delivery to the course coordinator prior to class on the due date. In extenuating circumstances, extensions can be applied for through the course coordinator. Deductions for late submissions will be determined as per University Policy.ﾠ
Please note that students who fall between the grade bands will be rounded up using conventional rounding techniques ie if you receive a score of 74.94 it will be rounded down to a grade of 5 and 74.95 will be rounded up to a grade of 6.
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Library resources are available on the UQ Library website.
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
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| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Week 1 (24 Feb - 02 Mar) |
Workshop |
Introduction and Professional issues This lecture will provide an introductions to the Business skills course and students will be familiarised with legal and professional requirements of practice as a business consultant. We also look at organisational structures and introduce our diagnostic model. We introduce the assignment and requirements Learning outcomes: L03, L04 |
Week 2 (03 Mar - 09 Mar) |
Workshop |
Initial Communication and scoping with clients This class will focus on the initial communications with clients and include Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Week 3 (10 Mar - 16 Mar) |
Workshop |
Work process mapping and Root cause analysis We look at end to end processes in business as a way to understand the linkages and dependencies in organisations. We look at different models and approaches as well as practical information and case studies on using process mapping and root cause analysis to understand and identify organisational issues and root causes to problems Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Week 4 (17 Mar - 23 Mar) |
Workshop |
Systems Thinking and Data Analysis this class explores Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Week 5 (24 Mar - 30 Mar) |
Workshop |
Communications in Organisations This class explores the various types of business communications (business cases, scoping documents, communications plans)and covers Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
Week 6 (31 Mar - 06 Apr) |
Workshop |
Interviewing the client Today our project teams interview the client and a team leader in the organisation for their organisational consultancy assessment. If timing works in the second half of the class there will be a shorter presentation on a related topic - TBA Learning outcomes: L01, L03, L04 |
Week 7 (07 Apr - 13 Apr) |
Workshop |
Facilitation Skills A practical based session outlining the key approaches to facilitation - Guest Speaker - definitions - Types of facilitation - Managing particular groups Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Week 8 (14 Apr - 20 Apr) |
Workshop |
External Consulting in a small consulting business this class looks at the issues of external consulting as a small business including Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Multiple weeks |
No student involvement (Breaks, information) |
Mid Semester Break Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Week 9 (28 Apr - 04 May) |
Workshop |
project Management Projects and program management Learning outcomes: L02, L04 |
Week 11 (12 May - 18 May) |
Workshop |
participatory/human centred design in practice Introduction to participatory design methods – co designing and collaborating with clients and end-users in the design process. Its aim is to create solutions and services that better meet the needs and expectations of users by including their knowledge and experiences. This approach is key in the consulting process Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Week 12 (19 May - 25 May) |
Workshop |
Change Management in practice Implementing change processes in organisations ﾖ managing the process with stakeholders and client and staff - Change management models - Building a change program - Change tactics and Change deliverables - Change readiness and managing resistance Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Week 13 (26 May - 01 Jun) |
Practical |
Project team presentations and debrief this is an oportunity to review the materials from the project and develop approaches for the interventions and solutions for your final report. Learning outcomes: L01, L03 |
Additional learning activity information
project teams (Assignment groups) will present their process and diagnosis to the Organisationﾒs management board.
Presentations must be delivered electronically by 12 noon 15/5
following weill be a debrief of the case
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments - Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.
School guidelines
Your school has additional guidelines you'll need to follow for this course: