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Quality assurance of consulting engagements in engineering industries
Author(s)
Sobrinho, Leonel Galvino Luciano
Date Issued
2015
Type
Thesis
Publisher
Cape Peninsula University of Technology
Abstract
The global consulting industry has become a significant contributor to economies worldwide due
to the growing requirement for specialised skills, but the industry encounters tense flaws and
pitfalls. These pitfalls are related to the increasing amount of consulting engagements that fall
short of their desired goal. The inability to fully achieve the goals agreed upon yields questions
regarding the quality of service provided within the industry.
It is believed that this inability to perform and to meet goals is due to gaps that occur within the
consulting process. This research aims to determine whether there is a lack of quality in the full
spectrum of the consulting process, which ultimately hampers the success of the consulting
engagement.
A non-empirical and qualitative research method was used to investigate the nature of the gaps
and the main reasons for these gaps within the consulting process. A framework was developed in
order to assist the researcher in understanding whether quality methods can successfully address
or narrow the gaps in the consulting process that inhibit the success of consulting engagements or
the ability to meet all requirements of consulting engagements. Validation was carried out through
interviews with experts in the consulting industry.
After a study of current literature it was clear that the fields of project management, change
management and knowledge management are imperative when running a consulting engagement.
Results of this study indicated that the framework is a viable quality methodology that can indeed
be applied to address gaps in the consulting process. This is acquired through an interaction of
fields such as systems thinking, audits, customer focus, corrective action and quality awareness.
The framework was designed to add value and attempt to assure that the goals of consulting
engagements can be fully achieved.
Suggested further research includes the implementation of the framework in small consulting
firms to investigate its practical usability and feasibility.
to the growing requirement for specialised skills, but the industry encounters tense flaws and
pitfalls. These pitfalls are related to the increasing amount of consulting engagements that fall
short of their desired goal. The inability to fully achieve the goals agreed upon yields questions
regarding the quality of service provided within the industry.
It is believed that this inability to perform and to meet goals is due to gaps that occur within the
consulting process. This research aims to determine whether there is a lack of quality in the full
spectrum of the consulting process, which ultimately hampers the success of the consulting
engagement.
A non-empirical and qualitative research method was used to investigate the nature of the gaps
and the main reasons for these gaps within the consulting process. A framework was developed in
order to assist the researcher in understanding whether quality methods can successfully address
or narrow the gaps in the consulting process that inhibit the success of consulting engagements or
the ability to meet all requirements of consulting engagements. Validation was carried out through
interviews with experts in the consulting industry.
After a study of current literature it was clear that the fields of project management, change
management and knowledge management are imperative when running a consulting engagement.
Results of this study indicated that the framework is a viable quality methodology that can indeed
be applied to address gaps in the consulting process. This is acquired through an interaction of
fields such as systems thinking, audits, customer focus, corrective action and quality awareness.
The framework was designed to add value and attempt to assure that the goals of consulting
engagements can be fully achieved.
Suggested further research includes the implementation of the framework in small consulting
firms to investigate its practical usability and feasibility.
Additional information
Thesis (MTech (Quality))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2015
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208198741_Sobrinho_LGL_MTech_Quality_Eng_2016.pdf
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Thesis
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