Principles of Management Consulting | CMI Level 5 Assignment 2026 CMI Level 5 in Management Consulting Unit CMI 540 Assessment Brief: Principles of Management Consulting Key Information for Learners Overview of assessment tasks
Each task in this assessment brief has been developed to enable you to evidence achievement of the learning outcomes and assessment criteria for CMI 540: Principles of Management Consulting. Each of the assessment criteria must gain a pass outcome for you to successfully achieve the unit.
Preparation for the assessment
Please read the CMI 540 unit specification thoroughly as only the content related to the achievement of the assessment criteria will be assessed. Research the topics being assessed. Suggested reading/web resources are provided on the CMI 540 unit specification. Your tutor may signpost you to relevant resources. Additionally, you may access excellent online resources at ManagementDirect. Please read the definitions of the command verbs used in the assessment criteria (for example, evaluate, discuss, analyse). Completing the assessment
The assessment brief contains a series of tasks which are clearly referenced to the relevant assessment criteria and indicative content. Refer to the Assessment Guidance Table at the end of the assessment brief which outlines the requirements for a Pass or Refer. Evidence for assessment may be presented in the evidence booklet. Work based evidence which is a requirement of the assessment, such as plans or documentation (which has been referred to within the main text) should be included at the end of the booklet marked ‘Work Based Evidence’ or included within the evidence provided by the Learner. Appendices are not a requirement of this assessment brief. If appendices are included these will not be marked or moderated by CMI. Work based evidence must be accompanied by a supporting statement in the learner evidence box, to explain the link to the assessment criteria. Work based evidence (where required by the task) must not exceed SIX (6) pages. All evidence should be combined within the evidence booklet. The assessment evidence must be completed in a professional manner (for example, applying business conventions for writing formal reports) and by using Microsoft Word, Rich Text Format or another compatible software programme. Learners must use either – Microsoft Word (.docx), Google Docs (.docs), OpenDocument Text (.odt) or Rich Text Format (.rtf) in the completion and submission of their assessments. There is no requirement for Learners or Centres to PDF any documents. PDF documents will not be accepted. An appropriate referencing system (such as Harvard Referencing) must be used to ensure the original source(s) of quotations or models can be verified. Finally, you must complete and sign the Learner Authenticity statement (an electronic signature is accepted). Learner support
For information regarding policies and procedures for assessment (for example, reasonable adjustments, learner support, appeals, complaints, certification, confidentiality, plagiarism, collusion and Artificial Intelligence (AI) misuse) you should contact your tutor or Centre manager and refer to the CMI Level 5 in Management Consulting syllabus.
Introducing Assessment Brief CMI 540 Principles of Management Consulting Effective management consulting provides clients with objective, independent expertise, advice and guidance. It can prepare individuals and organisations to plan for the future, navigate change, operate efficiently, utilise new technologies and develop workforce capability. This assessment brief has been designed to support you to evidence your understanding of the principles of management consulting.
Assessment Tasks and Word Count Assessment brief CMI 540 includes the following assessment tasks. Further detail is provided against each assessment task within the brief.
Task Assessment method Learning outcomes covered by assessment Assessment criteria Guideline word count 1 A presentation entitled: ‘The purpose, scope and benefits of management consulting’ LO1 Understand the purpose, scope and benefits of management consulting 1.1 Examine the purpose, scope and benefits of management consulting; 1.2 Evaluate the relationships involved in the delivery of management consulting; 1.3 Analyse the role of ethics, values and governance in the consulting relationship Approx. 2000 words 2 A report entitled: ‘The processes for delivering management consulting’ LO2 Understand the processes for delivering management consulting 2.1 Evaluate approaches for identifying management consulting opportunities; 2.2 Analyse how the consulting cycle is used to deliver management consulting; 2.3 Review approaches to formalise the management consulting assignment Approx. 2000 words Guideline word count
The written word, whether generated and/or recorded, is expected to form the majority of assessable work produced by Learners at Level 5. The amount and volume of written work for this unit should be broadly comparable to a word count of 4000 words within a margin of +/-10%. The unit also includes additional work in the form of work based evidence. Excessive use of word count is not grounds for referral, however, the CMI reserves the right to return work to the Centre for editing and resubmission by the Learner. The following are excluded from the written word count: Index or contents pages, headings and subheadings, diagrams, charts and graphs, bibliography. If you require further guidance on assessment, please ask your centre to refer to CMI`s Quality Assurance Handbook.
Task 1: The Purpose, Scope and Benefits of Management Consulting The aim of Task 1 is for learners to evidence their understanding of the purpose, scope and benefits of management consulting.
You are required to develop a presentation entitled: ‘The purpose, scope and benefits of management consulting’
The purpose of the presentation is to introduce management consulting to an audience who are not aware of how management consulting can benefit an organisation. The presentation will also include the relationships involved in its delivery and the ethics, values and governance which informs the consulting relationship. The presentation must include reference to relevant examples.
It must be presented in THREE (3) sections:
1a. The purpose, scope and benefits of management consulting
You are required to examine the purpose, scope and benefits of management consulting (AC 1.1)
1b. The relationships involved in the delivery of management consulting
You are required to evaluate the relationships involved in the delivery of management consulting (AC 1.2)
1c. The role of ethics, values and governance in the consulting relationship
You are required to analyse the role of ethics, values and governance in the consulting relationship giving examples of regulatory frameworks which must be applied in the consulting environment (AC 1.3).
Guidance for completion of Task 1
The presentation must focus on the purpose, scope and benefits of management consulting. It must be presented in THREE (3) sections using the headings given above in 1a, 1b, 1c. The presentation slides must be produced electronically with a minimum of 6 slides to a maximum of 15 slides. The presentation does not need to be delivered to an audience. The presentation slides must be accompanied by detailed presentation/speaker notes (these notes may be submitted as a separate document or you may choose to complete the presentation/speaker notes using the presentation software). The presentation may include the use of diagrams/charts. The presentation should include relevant examples to demonstrate the application of knowledge in the consulting profession. The presentation must include reference to regulatory frameworks used in the consulting profession. The presentation must include reference to published authors. Please refer to the indicative content for the assessment criteria (AC) outlined in the unit specification.
Task 2: The Processes for Delivering Management Consulting The aim of Task 2 is for learners to evidence their understanding of the processes for delivering management consulting.
You are required to write a report entitled: ‘The processes for delivering management consulting’
The report must be presented in THREE (3) sections:
2a. Approaches for identifying management consulting opportunities
You are required to evaluate a minimum of THREE (3) approaches for identifying management consulting opportunities (AC 2.1)
2b. How the consulting cycle is used to deliver management consulting
You are required to analyse how the consulting cycle is used to deliver management consulting (AC 2.2)
2c. Approaches to formalise the management consulting assignment
You are required to review the way proposals and contracts are used to formalise the consulting assignment (AC 2.3).
Guidance for completion of Task 2
The report must focus on the processes for delivering management consulting. The report must be presented in THREE (3) sections. The report may include the use of annotated diagrams/charts. In particular, this method may support the analysis of the consulting cycle in 2b. The report may include relevant examples to demonstrate the application of knowledge. Subheadings should be used when presenting the written work. Please refer to the indicative content for the assessment criteria (AC) outlined in the unit specification.
Assessment Guidance Refer
Not all assessment criteria have been met No examples were used, or the examples given do not match the requirements of the assessment criteria Evidence is – Unclear Technically incorrect or inaccurate Biased Includes unprofessional language Poorly structured and presented Lacks sufficient detail to show understanding of the topic The application of different theories or approaches is incorrect, unclear or inappropriate Evidence is not directly attributable to the learner Evidence of plagiarism, collusion, cheating External sources of information are not acknowledged Work based evidence or artefacts (for example documents or presentation slides) do not meet the requirements of the assessment criteria and are not current (within 5 years) Pass
All assessment criteria have been met Examples given are relevant and match the requirements of the assessment criteria Evidence is – Well written and presented Contains a breadth of examples Accurate Current (for example use of up to date legislation) Authentic Inclusive Coherent Credible Technically correct Evidence shows understanding of different theories or approaches, is clear and appropriate Evidence used from external sources has been correctly cited and referenced Evidence is directly attributable to the learner Work based evidence or artefacts (for example documents or presentation slides) match the requirements of the assessment criteria and are current (within 5 years)