Business Problem Solving Practicum
BUSI 728 – 3 Credits
CONSULTING

Course Description

The Business Problem Solving Practicum consists of semester-long consulting engagements with clients who have contracted with the Robert H. Smith School of Business to receive management consulting services.

The consulting engagements may cover a broad spectrum of issues in both the traditional functional areas such as finance, marketing, strategy and human resource management, logistics and transportation, or information technology, as well as cross-functional projects investigating, for example, the impact of leading edge information technology on business processes and client relationships in electronic commerce and supply chain management. Past clients have included Lockheed Martin Corporation, Marriott International Inc. and Verizon.

The Business Consulting Practicum affords MBA students the opportunity to hone a wide range of skills in a "living case" environment. While working in cross-functional teams, students will accomplish the following:

• Define the project goals, deliverables, timelines, and processes with input from the client and a faculty advisor.
• Conduct appropriate investigation and analysis using a “systemic” perspective to add value and maximize client satisfaction while maintaining the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct.
• Apply new concepts, tools and frameworks that are being taught in the MBA curriculum and bring to bear knowledge and skills from past work experience and prior education.
• Develop team building and leadership skills (in a partly virtual environment).
• Deliver oral and written reports to the client.