Consulting Methodologies Flashcards
7 cards from real CMC practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Consulting Methodologies flashcards as text
A CMC candidate is facilitating a client workshop to prioritize initiatives. Which tool is most effective for plotting initiatives by impact versus implementation effort?
Answer: 2x2 prioritization matrix
A 2x2 prioritization matrix (impact vs. effort) helps stakeholders visually identify 'quick wins,' 'major projects,' 'fill-ins,' and 'thankless tasks.'
What distinguishes a 'process consulting' approach (Schein) from an 'expert consulting' approach?
Answer: Process consulting helps clients diagnose and solve problems themselves rather than delivering expert answers
Edgar Schein's process consulting model builds client capability by facilitating their own problem-solving rather than prescribing solutions from an expert position.
In the context of change management consulting, what does the 'Kotter 8-Step Model' primarily address?
Answer: A sequential process for leading and sustaining organizational change
Kotter's 8-Step Model guides organizations through creating urgency, forming coalitions, developing vision, communicating change, empowering action, generating wins, consolidating gains, and anchoring change.
A consultant applies 'root cause analysis' using the '5 Whys' technique. What is the core principle?
Answer: Repeatedly ask 'why' to drill past symptoms and surface the fundamental cause of a problem
The 5 Whys method iteratively questions the cause of each answer until the root cause — not just a symptom — is identified, enabling effective corrective action.
Which consulting deliverable type is most appropriate when a client needs ongoing strategic guidance rather than a one-time project solution?
Answer: A retainer-based advisory arrangement
Retainer arrangements provide clients with continuous access to consultant expertise, making them appropriate for ongoing strategic decision support rather than discrete projects.
In the PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act) cycle used in consulting engagements, what is the purpose of the 'Check' phase?
Answer: Measure and evaluate results against the planned objectives to identify gaps
The 'Check' phase involves monitoring outcomes against planned targets to determine whether the intervention achieved its goals and what adjustments are needed.
A consultant is designing a stakeholder engagement plan. Which stakeholder group should typically receive the most intensive communication and involvement?
Answer: High-interest, high-influence stakeholders
Stakeholders with both high interest and high influence are key partners who must be actively managed and engaged to ensure project success and buy-in.