Professional management consulting provides clients with objective, independent expertise, advice and guidance. It can act as a facilitator for individual and organisational success. To succeed in the role, professional consultants must be knowledgeable, creative, agile and resilient. They must be proactive and able to adapt their practice to respond to client requirements in the contemporary workplace.

The aim of this unit is to equip professional management consultants with an in-depth understanding of consulting and the complexities of the role. They will critique strategies for developing stakeholder relationships and explore theoretical perspectives, approaches, behaviours and skills which can enhance professional practice. Finally, professional consultants will have the opportunity to consider the impact of ethics, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and sustainability on their role.

1. Understand the context and principles which underpin professional management consulting.

2. Understand the impact of ethics, CSR and sustainability in professional management consulting.

1.1  Discuss the narrative for professional consulting in a range of organisational contexts

1.2  Critique the behaviours, skills and strategies for developing stakeholder relationships