ClassInfo

IS 578 Information Technology Consulting

Spring 2017-2018
Class number: 34133
Section number: 901
W 5:45PM - 9:00PM
LEWIS 01105 Loop Campus

Summary

Course Description

IS 578 is designed for all IT professionals who are interested in knowing more about consulting as a career. It looks at the consulting industry, the consulting firm, and how consultants work. The course starts with positioning IT consulting within the larger professional services industry detailing the composition of the IT consulting market. From there, our attention turns to the trends in IT consulting from technologies to applications. Compared to other businesses, consulting firms have unique issues and responses that are then detailed. We analyze the commonalities and differences between independent, internal, and conventional consulting. We then look at the proposal process before an in-depth examination of a hot, new trend before ending on an examination of the career paths available.

Prerequisite: Advanced Standing

Detailed topics are posted in the Weekly Topics page.

Course Objectives

After taking this course, the student has a clear understanding of the roles and responsibilities that successful IT consultants play for their clients and firms. The student will also be able to assess the costs and benefits of consulting careers as an independent consultant, as an internal consultant in an organization and as a member of an established, large consulting firm. A student will have a better understanding on the economics that govern consulting and the tools needed to successfully manage engagements. The student will have a better understanding of what the expectations are for new consultants. The student will have a better understanding of managing the consulting engagement as the client.



Texts

Text

Required: Maister, David H., 1997. Managing The Professional Service Firm, Macmillan, Inc. (paperback)

Required: Gerald M Weinberg, 1986. Secrets of Consulting: A Guide to Giving & Getting Advice Successfully, Dorset House (paperback)

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Optional. Scott, Mark C., 1998. The Intellect Industry: Profiting and Learning from Professional Services Firm. Chichester, John Wiley & Sons.

Optional. Chapman, Robert B. and Kathleen R. Andrade, 1998. Insourcing after the Outsourcing: MIS Survival Guide. New Your, AMACOM, ISBN: 0-8144-0386.

Optional. Holman, Peggy and Tom Devane 1999. The Change Handbook: Group Methods for Shaping the Future. San Francisco, Berrett-Koehler Pub. ISBN: 1-57675-0582.

Additional handouts and references in packets distributed in class

Harvard Business School cases purchased on-line: http://www.hbsp.harvard.edu/products/hbr/index.html



Grading

Grading Breakdown

% Description Team/Individual

40 Case Study Analysis – one for each case covered

40Term Project Report

20 Term Project Presentation


Prerequisites

Prerequisite: Advanced Standing


Session Details

Session Format

Class starts with an opening discussion on the new material, followed by a group discussion of a typical consulting issue.

Break.

Group discussion of the weekly case.

Case Study Analysis

Each student will prepare an analysis based on each of the assigned case studies. The written analysis is due the week the case is covered at the end of the class.

Term Project Report and Presentation

Each team or individual will analyze some aspect of IT consulting that relates to one or more team member’s or individual's present position or interests. For example, the team or individual may report on knowledge management consulting because a one’s employer is interested in establishing a process for disbursing critical knowledge throughout the firm. Another team or individual may analyze the trends in reengineering in the banking industry and the role of various stakeholders in the reengineering process.

Each individual will prepare up to a 20-page (10 to 20 pages), double line spaced, 12-point font analysis. This written report is due at the last session. The team or individual also gives a 10-minute presentation of findings to the class in the last session.


School policies:

Changes to Syllabus

This syllabus is subject to change as necessary during the quarter. If a change occurs, it will be thoroughly addressed during class, posted under Announcements in D2L and sent via email.

Online Course Evaluations

Evaluations are a way for students to provide valuable feedback regarding their instructor and the course. Detailed feedback will enable the instructor to continuously tailor teaching methods and course content to meet the learning goals of the course and the academic needs of the students. They are a requirement of the course and are key to continue to provide you with the highest quality of teaching. The evaluations are anonymous; the instructor and administration do not track who entered what responses. A program is used to check if the student completed the evaluations, but the evaluation is completely separate from the student’s identity. Since 100% participation is our goal, students are sent periodic reminders over three weeks. Students do not receive reminders once they complete the evaluation. Students complete the evaluation online in CampusConnect.

Academic Integrity and Plagiarism

This course will be subject to the university's academic integrity policy. More information can be found at http://academicintegrity.depaul.edu/ If you have any questions be sure to consult with your professor.

All students are expected to abide by the University's Academic Integrity Policy which prohibits cheating and other misconduct in student coursework. Publicly sharing or posting online any prior or current materials from this course (including exam questions or answers), is considered to be providing unauthorized assistance prohibited by the policy. Both students who share/post and students who access or use such materials are considered to be cheating under the Policy and will be subject to sanctions for violations of Academic Integrity.

Academic Policies

All students are required to manage their class schedules each term in accordance with the deadlines for enrolling and withdrawing as indicated in the University Academic Calendar. Information on enrollment, withdrawal, grading and incompletes can be found at http://www.cdm.depaul.edu/Current%20Students/Pages/PoliciesandProcedures.aspx.

Students with Disabilities

Students who feel they may need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact the instructor privately to discuss their specific needs. All discussions will remain confidential.
To ensure that you receive the most appropriate accommodation based on your needs, contact the instructor as early as possible in the quarter (preferably within the first week of class), and make sure that you have contacted the Center for Students with Disabilities (CSD) at:
Lewis Center 1420, 25 East Jackson Blvd.
Phone number: (312)362-8002
Fax: (312)362-6544
TTY: (773)325.7296