SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Understand the business of consulting 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
115404  Understand the business of consulting 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Human Resource Management and Practices 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 03 - Business, Commerce and Management Studies Human Resources 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  8 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2026-06-30   2029-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
The person credited with this unit standard is able to explain the nature and identify the niches of the consulting business.

The qualifying learner is capable of:
  • Defining the notion of "consulting" and the roles of the consultant
  • Explaining the scope of the consulting industry
  • Identifying reasons that consultants are contracted by businesses
  • Identifying key qualities of an effective consultant
  • Applying basic business management principles to the setting up of a consulting practice
  • Or (alternatively to above), to explain the modus operandi of a large, established consulting firm 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    It is assumed that learners are competent in Communication at NQF level 4 or equivalent. 

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Define the concept "consulting" and the roles of the consultant. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The concept "consulting" is defined with reference to the functions performed by a consultant. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The role of a consultant as a catalyst for change is outlined in terms of the facilitation of change processes that are ultimately owned by the client. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Explain the scope of the consulting industry. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The multidisciplinary nature of the consulting industry is explained in a way that highlights its impact on every field of human endeavour. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The types of customers who would avail themselves of the services of an ERP consultant are listed in tabular form indicating the type of service they would require. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The signals and indicators that are evident in an organisation that a consultant is needed are identified and used to alert a consultant to entrepreneurial and/or employment opportunities. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Identify key qualities of an effective consultant. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The attributes of effective consulting are spelled out and analysed with a view to ensuring the sustainability of solutions that are implemented. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Decisions made and actions taken by consultants that are potentially either beneficial or counterproductive are listed with reasons based on records of past consulting engagements. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Apply basic business management principles to the setting up of a consulting practice. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The modus operandi of a large, established consulting firm is clearly explained to help a new consultant to integrate into the firm. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The consulting model followed by the consulting firm is explained to enhance the quality of service rendered to clients. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Appropriate assistance is rendered to senior consultant(s) in the setting up of an independent consulting practice in accordance with set guidelines. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Basic business principles that pertain to the setting up of a consulting practice are explained to enhance the new consultancy's capacity to attract and retain new clients. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • An individual wishing to be assessed (including through RPL) against this Unit Standard may apply to an assessment agency, assessor or provider institution accredited by the relevant ETQA, or by an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Anyone assessing a learner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this unit standard or assessing this unit standard must be accredited as a provider with the relevant ETQA.
  • Moderation of assessment will be conducted by the relevant ETQA at its discretion. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
  • The essential nature of the consulting business
  • Basic business management principles 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify and solve problems in which responses display that responsible decisions using critical and creative thinking have been made when identifying the signs and conditions in an organisation indicating that outside help is required and suggesting solutions. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as a member of a team, group organization, community when working with a senior consultant in an organisation. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
  • Collect, analyse, organize and critically evaluate information when identifying when organisations need outside assistance and hen identifying the characteristics of a successful consultant and consultancy.
  • Collect, analyse, organize and critically evaluate information when working with other consultants and clients and when compiling reports. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems when seeing that unless a consultant acts professionally and unless the consultancy is organised properly the consultancy will not be successful. 

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    N/A 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  48874   National Certificate: Business Consulting Practice (Enterprise Resource Planning)  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  SERVICES 
    Core  49419   National Diploma: Business Consulting Practice  Level 5  NQF Level 05  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  SERVICES 
    Elective  79886   National Certificate: Business Advising  Level 5  NQF Level 05  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  SERVICES 
    Elective  73129   National Diploma: Public Relations Practice  Level 5  NQF Level 05  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  SERVICES 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    NONE 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.