Management Consultancy CMI Diploma Level 5

The CMI Level 5 Diploma in Management Consultancy is an internationally recognised qualification and is intended for either people who want to enter management consultancy from a functional discipline, or those who wish to develop their skills, knowledge and competencies needed to operate in the field of management consultancy. 

It is recommended that candidates should be educated to degree level or equivalent or have a minimum of five years business experience.

The qualification is offered by the Institute of Business Consulting (a division of CMI). It comprises of ten modules and understanding of learning outcomes will be demonstrated by assessments.

Unit DMC01 Professional Practice

Unit aims

This unit focuses on the professional standards, conduct and ethics which management consultants should adopt. It explores in depth what is meant by professional standards and behaviours, and how they can be applied in practical situations.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the unit the learner will:

  1. Recognise how to operate with professionalism and integrity in all aspects of your role.
  2. Apply professional standards and appropriate professional behaviours in practical situations.
  3. Recognise and take an appropriate course of action when faced with ethical dilemmas.

DMC02 Professional Development

Unit aims

This unit will give you a framework to evaluate your current knowledge, skills and behaviours to plan your future development and support others in their development

Learning outcomes

By the end of the unit the learner will:

  1. Produce a personal development plan, based on your self-assessment against the skills, knowledge and behaviours required by management consultants which you can use to manage your development.
  2. Support the development of others effectively to meet stated aims and objectives.
  3. Identify your current network, and develop and implement a plan to strengthen and improve it.

DMC03 Organisation Structure and Culture

Unit aims

This unit is about how consultants interact effectively and bring about change within a variety of organisations. It explains some of the core business structures, processes, management, disciplines and culture you are likely to encounter in your role as a management consultant. It explores the principles and challenges of business transformation and embedding change in an organisation

Learning outcomes

By the end of the unit the learner will:

  1. Analyse and evaluate organisational structure and culture.
  2. Identify the stages of growth of a client organisation.
  3. Identify how the development of the structure and culture has impacted on the growth and present state of the organisation.

DMC04 Entry and Diagnosis

Unit aims

This unit is about the initial entry and diagnosis stages of the consultancy cycle. It explores how to develop and nurture a client relationship and how to identify and scope client needs. The unit also addresses the typical contract of a client proposal including contractual and legal arrangements

Learning outcomes

By the end of the unit the learner will:

  1. Determine and apply an effective client communication strategy.
  2. Define why it is important to build effective relationships with clients and outline the techniques you would use to establish credibility with a client.
  3. Describe the stages in determining client need and how you would handle confidential and sensitive information during this process.
  4. Produce costed proposals for interventions which meet your clients’ needs and your organisation’s operational and profit requirements.

DMC05 Interpersonal Interaction

Unit aims

This unit will develop your ability to interact and empathise effectively with others to achieve desired outcomes of mutual benefit. It focuses on personal awareness helping you develop your personal impact, negotiation and influencing skills.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the unit the learner will:

  1. Describe different types of verbal and non-verbal communication and behaviour and describe how behaviour impacts on others.
  2. Assess your own personal impact on consultancy clients, and identify opportunities for improvement and development.
  3. Explain how you would approach a difficult client situation, and describe the skills and techniques you would use to achieve a positive outcome.

DMC06 Group Techniques

Unit aims

This unit builds the skills required to work effectively with groups and in team situations. It studies the behaviours of high impact teams, and tools and techniques to manage group processes.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the unit the learner will:

  1. Explain how the consultant can use group dynamics to achieve agreed outcomes.
  2. Describe the role of the facilitator, and describe situations where it is an appropriate role for the consultant to adopt.

DMC07 Communicating with Impact

Unit aims

Effective communication skills are fundamental to the consultant’s skills set. This Unit considers how to convey messages to your client successfully and with impact.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the unit the learner will:

  1. Review the range of communication methods available to the management consultant.
  2. Describe how you would plan, manage and follow up on a formal meeting with a client.
  3. Prepare and produce formal written communications and reports for clients.
  4. Plan and give a formal presentation, using visual aids and supporting material, to a group from a client organisation.

DMC08 Managing Consultancy Interventions

Unit aims

This unit is about managing consultancy interventions. It builds on the concept of the consultancy cycle considering a range of approaches to consultancy and the phases of the consultancy process. It examines alternative models, looking at different phases of consultancy interventions identifying the typical inputs, deliverables, risks and issues at each stage of the cycle. It explores the complexity of the operating environment and identifies some of the strategies and tools used to manage each stage effectively

Learning outcomes

By the end of the unit the learner will:

  1. Describe the stages in the consultancy cycle and the risks associated with each stage.
  2. Describe a model for managing the consultancy cycle and how you would use the model in one of your interventions with clients.
  3. Identify the key activities involved at each stage in the consultancy cycle, and their application in achieving the required outcomes.
  4. Describe the implications and strategies for operating effectively at each stage of the cycle.

DMC09 Effective Project Management

Unit aims

This unit focuses on how to manage consultancy projects effectively. It introduces the different skills and techniques required at each stage of the consultancy cycle and the importance of risk and quality assurance in managing the project outcomes.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the unit the learner will:

  1. Explain the principles and methods of programme and project management and evaluate their use within the consultancy context.
  2. Describe the key components of a project to enable effective delivery of a consultancy intervention.
  3. Describe the factors affecting quality of delivery within a consultancy project context.
  4. Explain the need for an effective infrastructure to ensure project delivery.

DMC10 Tools and Techniques for Effective Consulting

Unit aims

This unit aims to develop your awareness and application of core generic tools and techniques which will be relevant for many consultancy projects and also to develop a depth of understanding and application of three or more tools and techniques which are relevant for your area of specialisation, market or role.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the unit the learner will:

  1. Identify and apply appropriate tools for a given client situation.
  2. Describe how you would manage diagnosis and analysis effectively in a given client context.
  3. Prepare and produce your findings, conclusions and recommendations to the client following research, analysis and diagnosis.
  4. Compare the effectiveness of different tools and techniques, and define criteria which you would adopt in determining their suitability for different client situations.
GCS Training This course is offered by Gower College Swansea's business training team at GCS Training. Proceed to view Management Consultancy CMI Diploma Level 5 at GCS Training.