IT Consulting Notes
Subject Overview
The fifth MIS group elective, covering the principles and role of IT consultancy, the consultancy assignment life cycle, Request For Proposal and Service Level Agreement processes, and ethical principles in consulting practice. A 4-credit elective theory paper.
Subject at a glance
4
Units
22
Topics
4
Credits
4
Infographics
Unit-wise Syllabus
4 units — open any unit for detailed topic-wise notes, diagrams and important exam questions
- Overview and principles of consultancy
- role and competencies of consultants
- consultancy models
- technology management and technology life cycles
Expertise
Technical and industry knowledge
Diagnosis
Find the real problem
Communication
Listen, present, write
Relationship building
Trust with the client
Project management
Deliver on time
Study guide
This unit covers the principles of consultancy, consultant roles and competencies, consultancy models, technology management and life cycles. Learn what separates advice from implementation.
- Gaining entry
- contracting and initiation
- problem identification and diagnosis
- solution appraisal and implementation
- Life Cycle Assessment stages and code of good conduct
- 1
Entry
First contact
- 2
Contracting
Scope, fees, terms
- 3
Diagnosis
Data and problem definition
- 4
Action planning
Solutions
- 5
Implementation
- 6
Termination and evaluation
Study guide
You study the stages of an assignment: entry, contracting, diagnosis, solution appraisal and implementation, and the code of good conduct. Write a mock proposal for a small client.
- Request For Proposal scope
- requirements and process
- proposal review and selection
- Service Level Agreements — introduction
- components
- monitoring
- verification and metrics
- 1
Write the RFP
Scope, requirements, criteria
- 2
Issue to vendors
- 3
Receive proposals
- 4
Evaluate and shortlist
- 5
Select the vendor
- 6
Sign the contract and SLA
Study guide
You study the request for proposal and its process, evaluating proposals and service level agreements, their components and metrics. Draft the key metrics of an SLA.
- Principles for ethical consulting
- approaches to ethics
- codes of ethics
- unethical consultant behaviours
- business and international business ethics
- responsibility and accountability
Confidentiality
Protect client information
Objectivity
Honest advice even if unwelcome
Competence
Accept only work you can do
Conflict of interest
Disclose it
Fair fees
No padding hours
Study guide
You study consulting ethics: principles, approaches, codes, unethical behaviours and responsibility and accountability. Discuss a conflict-of-interest scenario.
Why IT Consulting Matters
IT consulting is a high-value career path, and structured diagnosis, proposal writing and ethical practice are what clients value.
How to Prepare for IT Consulting
- Practise case-based problem solving and client communication.
- Learn how RFPs and SLAs are structured.
- Study the code of conduct of consulting firms.
IT Consulting: Frequently Asked Questions
What is an SLA?
A Service Level Agreement is a contract that defines the services, standards and metrics a provider commits to deliver.