Management
Consulting
Certification

MANAGEMENT CONSULTING CERTIFICATION

Leading to Management Consulting Institute Level 1 certification (upon passing examination). This programme is also available under the HRDF-SBLKHAS and PERKESO PENJANAKERJAYA schemes.

INTRODUCTION

Complex problem solving is becoming a critical skill in demand for the future*, as we prepare for Industry Revolution 4.0. Indeed, the core of world-class managers and consultants is addressing unstructured problems, ambiguity and dynamic changes associated with IR 4.0.

The top skills most desired by organisations today are problem solving, team working, communications and critical thinking, which are the focus areas of this Level 1 certification programme.

You will learn tools designed by professional consultants to help you be a trusted advisor, use structured thinking, get quality outputs and build compelling presentations.

TARGET AUDIENCE

The Level 1 certification programme is designed for managers, employees and teams who need structured methodology in facilitating organisational change:

Change agents: Bringing their organisation to the next level and business success
Corporate, regional or global leads: Building a culture of structured thinking and communications
Managers and project or technical leads: Developing advanced skills in logical thinking, problem solving and communications

OUTCOMES & COMPETENCIES

At the end of this workshop, participants would be able to:

Identify the key problem affecting their business area
Design an approach to solve that problem
Know how to get resources and commitment to get a project started
Manage individuals, teams and key stakeholders to execute projects
Communicate with key stakeholders to drive decisions and actions

Participants will develop mastery of Four Core Competencies of a World-Class Consulting Professional:

STRUCTURED THINKING Create Focus, Impact and Clarity	Structure is the essence of everything management consultants do. It drives their communication style, problem-solving methodology, and behavioural characteristics. Logic helps consultants approach complex and frequently ambiguous issues with systematic precision.
WORKING WITH TEAMS Create Performance and Efficiency	Management consultants consistently work with diverse, cross-functional teams. The ability to work well on teams involves understanding when to lead and when to follow, managing competing motivations and learning styles, and driving performance with appropriate metrics.
PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS Create Strong, Trusting Business Relationships	Establishing trust and build relationships with clients and co-workers is essential to success. Being a valuable management consultant means being a trusted advisor who honours agreements and utilizes positive interpersonal skills to develop relationships.
CONSULTING CONTEXT Create a Common Language for Problem Solving	To be effective, it is important to know the language, tools and frameworks used by consultants and business leaders. Mastering these will enable participants to skilfully synthesize information from all a variety of business and consulting insight.

DURATION

3 days, starting at 9a.m. and ending at approximately 5p.m.

COURSE CONTENT

The Level 1 certification workshop will cover:

DAY 1

Professional Behaviour and Ethics

The focus of this section is on the code of conduct instructed at Arthur D. Little. Participants learn professional behaviour and ethics needed to make a lasting impression on clients and establish long-term credibility.

Pyramid Principle

The Pyramid Principle is a powerful thinking process designed to structure questions, research, analysis and communication. It can be used in everything from day-to-day communication to formal writing and communication. Participants will learn the Situation, Complication, and Key Question (SCQ) methodology instructed by Barbara Minto from McKinsey & Co. This section provides participants with a methodology to create the structure needed to organize data and determine the client’s Key Question.

Problem Definition and Issues Analysis

Apply Issues Analysis and Pyramid Principle techniques to answer the Key Question, create a workplan and framework to solve client’s Key Question and properly allocate resources to deliver a consulting-level solution to the client’s problem.

DAY 2

Data Gathering and Analysis

Use both primary and secondary methods for gathering data, carry out interviews and incorporate the findings into the presentation

Creating Professional Findings and Recommendations Presentation

Communicate effectively—build and deliver a compelling presentation. Participants will learn how build presentation slides and create a compelling story-line based on their SCQ, Issues Analysis and work-plan.

DAY 3

Certification Workshop

Revise key concepts, familiarise with the exam format, and prepare for MCI Level 1 exam.

MCI Level 1 Examination

Take the two-hour online exam, comprising of 100 multiple choice questions. (Please bring own laptop.)

Next Steps

Put learning into action and start building your community of practice. Prepare for Level 2 certification (optional).

THE MCI CONSULTING FRAMEWORK

WHY MCI?

An end-to-end structured approach to problem solving—from identifying the root cause to Client or Stakeholder communications.
A robust, comprehensive and practical methodology designed by consultants for consultants, taught at universities at MBA/ DBA level
People-centric approach to engage with and address the Client’s key issue through team collaboration
Globally recognised certification and pathway to professionalism in management consulting

Tarek Khoury Senior Consultant | PwC

I have been using the tools that MCI taught me since I joined PwC. It was easy for me to work with senior consultants and Managers because I had already been trained to think, act and present like a management consultant. The tools that I learned from MCI are instrumental for the projects that I deliver at PwC.

Jamal Blackwell Senior Consultant | Booz Allen Hamilton

MCI is a powerful tool for searching and applying for jobs because it can help set you apart from other job candidates. I would encourage you to have an MCI training at your school for you and your club members.

Diego De Vries Senior Consultant | Deloitte

MCI has been my foundation and guide into consulting. It taught me how to approach difficult situations in a structured manner and how to communicate findings, insights and implications in a clear and impactful way, focusing on finding new areas of opportunity for my clients. I currently rely on what I have learned and the materials I received from MCI in my current position at Deloitte.

MCI CERTIFICATION PATHWAY

The methodology taught in the MCI Level 1 certification workshop applies to Level 2 certification, which is an action project that builds on the learnings of Level 1. Participants can be certified in Level 2 by completing a live action project, making a business presentation and submitting a report.

CERTIFICATION AWARDED BY MCI

The Management Consulting Institute (MCI) is a global non-profit organization founded by a group of industry professionals and management consultants from around the world. Our mission is to contribute to excellence in the management consulting field by promoting standards and connecting experts and practitioners in a professional community.

The Standards Board is responsible for maintaining certification standards and contributing to the development of the professional community.

Management Consulting Institute Standards Board

Ronald Jonash

Former Senior Partner

Monitor Group

Stephen Hodges

President

Hult International Business School

Holger Kohler

Management Consultant

Arthur D. Little, Monitor Group and Accenture

Pamela McNamara

Former CEO

Arthur D. Little

www.mcinstitute.org

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PAST WORKSHOPS AND TESTIMONIALS

"I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you for your good guidance throughout the course until pass the exam. I have learnt a lot and found the class very knowledgeable and enlightening. This programme has helped me to reorganise information in a structured order and changed how I communicate during presentation. I would not hesitate to recommend this this course to anyone. Thanks again Dr Cynthia and team."
Dr Hairul Akmal bin Mohd Halim
Cawangan Dasar, Bahagian Pengurusan Sumber Manusia,
Kementerian Pendidikan Malaysia
"Through this workshop, I have learned to have more structured thinking which will assist me to sharpen my problem solving skills and enhance the skill of effective communication through presentations. I also had the opportunity to build great networking among the participants. My trainer, Dr. Cynthia is very outstanding and knowledgeable. I would therefore highly recommend this Management Consulting certification workshop."
Rashidah Rasib
C.A.(M), ACMA (UK), CGMA, CPFA (UK), ASEAN CPA
Accrual Accounting Implementation Team
Accountant General's Department of Malaysia. Federal Territory of Putrajaya
"I have a much better understanding of defining and solving the problem using a structured process, applying data gathering techniques and analysis, and finally converting the findings and recommendations into a compelling presentation. Dr. Cynthia has demonstrated her mastery in the subject by delivering an engaging and enthusiastic lecture. I would highly recommend this course to anyone to become a more effective and better consultant."
Nor Rosita Idris
Deputy Director
Accountant General's Department of Malaysia
"Learning and succeeding in Level 1 MCI Consulting Methods certification is an exciting breakthrough. It was an eye-opening experience on how a structured issue identification procedure can facilitate effective and efficient consultation process. The invigorating and well-executed sharing session by Dr. Cynthia Ee from Clarus Consulting was really effective in providing understanding and application of every step from information management, identification of key issues to the best method in communicating findings. AGD will certainly continue to send officers for this certification program."
Mohd. Khairuddin bin A. Mulok
Chief Assistant Director
Accountant General's Department of Malaysia
"The learning journey to acquire the competencies of a consultant via Level 2 was indeed very enriching and fulfilling. The field work and feedback received from trainers and client provide valuable experience - enhancing the confidence level to provide consulting services in a structured manner. By adopting and adapting the consulting process with my expertise in education management and leadership, we were able to achieve our project objectives. We received strong endorsement from the client and are currently embarking on the next project. Recommending my colleagues for Level 3 Strategy Implementation to complete the learning journey!"
Balasandran A Ramiah (D.B.A)
Special Grade C Senior Lecturer
Institut Aminuddin Baki Northern Campus | Ministry of Education, Malaysia
"The knowledge from MCI Level 1 certification has enabled me to carry out project assignments required for MCI Level 2 certification. The methodology provides an end-to-end approach and structured process of analysing the client's key question, providing solutions, doing research and preparing presentations. It is a very effective and efficient process that can be applied and implemented during the consultation session. I am grateful to have the opportunity to improve my competency as a certified consultant."
Hamsiah binti Mohd Dahalan
Head of Centre | Centre for Educational Management and Administration
Institut Aminuddin Baki | Ministry of Education, Malaysia