The Consultancy Process

What The Consultancy Process covers

The Consultancy Process is examined in Unit AS 1, Introduction to Professional Business Services. It covers the consultancy process and the entry phase, the diagnosis phase, the action planning phase and implementation and termination phases.

The 4 subtopics

Each one has its own page.

• The consultancy process and the entry phaseThe five phases of the consultancy process, the entry phase, tenders, first meetings, conflicts of interest, terms of reference, proposals, engagement letters and a fee calculation.Open →
• The diagnosis phaseSymptoms and root causes, collecting data from records and staff interviews, analysis and benchmarking, feedback to the client, a staff turnover calculation and the risks of rushing.Open →
• The action planning phaseGenerating and evaluating alternative solutions, involving the client, implementation plans and measurable targets, presenting recommendations, resistance and contingency plans.Open →
• Implementation and termination phasesThe consultant's role in implementation, training and monitoring, termination and evaluation, knowledge transfer, follow-up, client feedback and the usefulness of the five-phase model.Open →

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

Take The Consultancy Process further

The same content, four other ways.

Commonly confused

Pairs that lose marks when they are blurred together.

• Entry phase vs Termination phase

  Entry phase: the first contact and agreement of terms between consultant and client. Termination phase: the withdrawal of the consultant once results are evaluated.

• Diagnosis vs Action planning

  Diagnosis: fact-finding and analysis to find the real cause of a client's problem. Action planning: designing and choosing solutions and a timetable for introducing them.

• Symptom vs Root cause

  Symptom: a visible sign that something is wrong in a business. Root cause: the underlying reason why a problem exists.

Questions from this topic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

1. 1

   Define the term consultancy process.

   Model answer

   The consultancy process is the structured sequence of phases a firm follows to help a client, from first contact to withdrawal. A clear process keeps an assignment focused and well managed.

2. 2

   Name the five phases of the consultancy process.

   Model answer

   The five phases are entry, diagnosis, action planning, implementation and termination. The model is associated with Milan Kubr's guide to management consulting.

3. 3

   Why does a professional services firm follow a structured consultancy process?

   Model answer

   A structured process makes sure the real problem is found before solutions are proposed. The client also knows what to expect at each stage.

4. 4

   What happens at the entry phase?

   Model answer

   The entry phase is the first contact between consultant and client, when the problem is discussed. The assignment is agreed, including its terms, fees and timescale.

5. 5

   How does a consultancy assignment usually begin?

   Model answer

   A client may approach the firm after a referral, or the firm may win the work through marketing or a tender. The first meeting explores the client's concerns.

6. 6

   Define the term tender.

   Model answer

   A tender is a formal bid to win a contract, often requested by public sector clients. Rival firms submit proposals and the client chooses on quality and price.

What is inside Levo

Six ways to work the same material.

The Consultancy Process revision questions

What does The Consultancy Process cover in CCEA A-Level Professional Business Services?

4 subtopics: the consultancy process and the entry phase, the diagnosis phase, the action planning phase and implementation and termination phases. Each one has its own page with questions and model answers.

How is The Consultancy Process organised?

By the CCEA 3210 specification, subtopic by subtopic, so it matches the order you are taught it in.