Strategic Consulting Projects

Advanced problem-solving, impact from within, actionable results

Saïd Business School

The development of complex problem-solving skills is at the heart of the Strategic Consulting Project (SCP) design. According to the World Economic Forum, complex problem-solving remains among the most desired skills for the last ten years (Future of Jobs Report)
Unlock the potential of your business by partnering with a team of dynamic Oxford MBAs ready to apply their expertise in value-added analysis, design implementation, change management, and strategic thinking.

How can an SCP benefit your organisation?

Solving complex problems from strategic to operational issues
Provide a structured and well-thought approach to the problem
Fresh business perspectives, supported by experienced Oxford supervisors
Access to a talent pool for future recruitment
Access to state-of-the-art business knowledge and Oxford research

MBA facts and figures

Class profile

The class represents a breadth of diversity, a multiplicity of perspectives and expertise, along with a willingness to interchange ideas and concepts. We seek professionals from a range of industries, from finance to consulting, and tech to healthcare.

SCP Criteria

A Strategic Consulting Project (SCP) is an optional piece of project work that Oxford Saïd MBA students can undertake between July and August. The student Project Team acts as consultants to explore the possibilities of improvement in an organisation. They develop a well-thought-out, logical, and consistent solution to an organisation's issue.

An SCP must meet the following criteria:

Address a relevant managerial problem, or a problem with relevant managerial implications that provides an achievable scope of work in terms of data, analysis and expected project deliverables. The project issue(s) should provide a space for a multi-dimensional approach to problem analysis

Students must have regular interaction with senior and / or executive management

The organisation needs to provide two project roles: an Executive Sponsor and a Project Leader (the roles can be held by the same person)

It must be for an organisation where MBA learning can be applied objectively (the students will deliver two hour-long intermediate presentations demonstrating they have applied their MBA learning)

Ideally, the SCP needs to start between July through to August

At the end of August, the Project Team will present their project work to a panel comprised of its Project Supervisor, other faculty and the client organisation. The presentation provides a succinct summary of the issues covered during the project and emphasises the main findings and recommendations.

How to access our MBA students

We ask that you work with our Project Office to jointly develop a project brief to present the project idea and define the project aim, scope, and deliverables.

In defining your project, please consider whether it will allow the students to use the SCP 'Four-Phase Approach':

Problem definition

Industry analysis

Company analysis

Development of recommendations

The deadline is 31 March 2024.

Once you have a clear defined project brief, students can then apply through the Project Office by the beginning of June 2024.

The SCPs will take place over seven weeks, between 8 July - 23 August with two presentation sessions (July & August) where we ask you to attend.

In addition to you providing an Executive Sponsor and Project Leader, the School will also provide a number of roles to assist in SCP's, including a Projects Manager, an Academic Lead and Project Supervisor.

Contact and FAQ

FAQs

Can we hire students permanently following the SCP?

Yes, many students who undertake SCPs are looking for permanent roles upon graduation. Please note: visa sponsorship may be required for some students following the SCP

Do we have to pay the SCP Project Team?

The School asks that any direct costs of a Strategic Consulting Project, e.g. travel expenses, accommodation, etc. be borne by the client organisation. However, to avoid any misunderstanding we ask you, the client, make it clear what costs will be covered during the Project Development phase. In addition to these costs, you may also wish to consider a discretionary ‘reward’ to the Project Team for a successful project undertaken.

Is the project identified a genuine business problem that your business is unable to answer?

The SCP project should give students the opportunity to analyse, consider, and come to their own conclusions

How many students can be part of an SCP Project Team?

We expect a minimum of four students but no more than six