Professionalism in IS Consultancy
Throughout industry, managers rely upon the support of specialist IS consultants to help in all aspects of their business. Help may be obtained from external consultancies or from internal specialist staff. Regardless of the source, it is essential that the customer can differentiate between professionals who have achieved (and continue to achieve) a recognised standard and those who have not.
This course is designed for staff who need to build on their technical or commercial skills so that they can provide a quality consultancy service either to their own organisation or on a commercial basis. This course follows the ISEB syllabus and will prepare delegates for both the written and oral examinations required to attain the ISEB Certificate in IS Consultancy Practice.
The course includes techniques that can be applied to almost any consultancy assignment although the emphasis is mainly on IS issues.
Who will the course benefit?
Specialist staff involved in the provision of IS consultancy services and any IS staff providing expert advice and guidance on technical matters.
Course Objectives
To provide a complete and practical study of the management and professional skills necessary for the provision of IS consultancy services. To prepare delegates to achieve success in the ISEB examinations.
Skills Gained
This course will enable delegates to:
- Understand the role of the IS consultant in the IT/IS industry.
- Gain awareness of IT issues in the business context and the business design aspect of consultancy.
- Plan and manage client relationships over the consultancy lifecycle.
- Scope, propose and contract for consultancy assignments.
- Structure, plan and control consultancy assignments.
- Deal with difficult client issues.
- Understand human personality and behaviour issues.
- Develop problem solving, communications and interpersonal skills to IS consultants.
- Control and measure quality within IS consultancy assignments.
Prerequisites
Candidates for the examination must have at least 4 years experience in the IT/IS industry.
Course Content
- Overview of the ISEB Syllabus and Examinations
- The role of the IS consultant
- Understanding Client behaviours and needs
- Identifying, scoping and qualifying business opportunities
- Proposals, bids, contracts and IPR
- Managing Client/Consultant relations
- Client relationship issues
- Negotiation and Conflict resolution
- Change Management
- Human Resources management
- Project Management Principle
- Assignment methodologies
- Project Planning and control
- Project delivery, evaluation and follow-up
- Business development
- Overview of Financial Management
- Skills transfer
- People Management, delegation and motivation
- Personal development
- Obtaining and analysing information
- Creative thinking
- Solution selection and implementation
- Professional Skills
- Implementation of recommendations
- Quality Management
- Risk Assessment
- Legislation, Ethics and Professional standards
- The BCS Consultancy Code of Practice
- Review of ISEB Syllabus, Examination Technique and Sample Exam questions
Examinations
On completion delegates will be eligible to sit for the ISEB Certificate in IS Consulting Practice.
Delegates wishing to take the ISEB examination should book for the date required and provide at least 4 weeks notice to the ISEB. - see list of examination dates. Delegates may also wish to benefit by booking a revision day held the day before the written exam. This provides an intensive revision of the syllabus, examination technique, practice on sample questions and discussion of model answers. An oral examination follows after successfully passing the written paper
Delegates who are successful in passing the ISEB examinations may be eligible to be registered as a BCS Consultant.
