Online Program

The Virtual Consulting Company: Teaching Statistical Collaboration Through Simulated Experience (304236)

Keywords: consulting, education, curriculum

Statistical consulting courses typically rely on firsthand project experience to develop skills in effective communication, adapting to new settings, and managing workflows. However, with variability in projects and clients, students are not assured of facing the challenging circumstances that would teach the intended lessons. This presentation will discuss a consulting curriculum design based upon the premise of a virtual company.

The students, working as junior consultants, complete a range of projects for fictionalized clients in varied domains, both individually and in teams. Some projects are highly structured, with defined problems and data, while others require creativity to identify opportunities. Each project presents results to varied audiences, ranging from highly technical to managerial. Feedback is provided from the perspective of both internal managers and clients, with the teaching assistants and instructors playing these roles. The students face challenges in terms of managing working relationships and competing deadlines. As a result, the curriculum creates a repeatable process that fosters experiential learning and the practical skills of statistical consulting.