2026 (Current Year) Faculty Courses Liberal arts and basic science courses Entrepreneurship courses
Master's Problem-Solving Skills of Business Consultants
- Academic unit or major
- Entrepreneurship courses
- Instructor(s)
- Akira Izumi
- Class Format
- Lecture
- Media-enhanced courses
- -
- Day of week/Period
(Classrooms) - Class
- -
- Course Code
- ENT.C573
- Number of credits
- 100
- Course offered
- 2026
- Offered quarter
- 4Q
- Syllabus updated
- Mar 5, 2026
- Language
- Japanese
※ Courses with parentheses in the course number have different subject codes depending on the student's year of admission.
Syllabus
Course overview and goals
The thinking methods and problem-solving techniques that management consultants use daily in their work are valuable tools not only in the field of business management but in any activity involving problem-solving.
The objective of this course is to learn the foundational skills required in both industry and academia—such as problem identification, data analysis, and the ability to build win-win solutions—by studying the logical thinking, modeling, research/analysis techniques, communication skills, and risk management skills that management consultants master through experience.
These skills are applicable not only to consultants but also to business sectors such as product/service development and planning departments within companies, as well as to policy makers in central government ministries and agencies.
Lectures are delivered in Japanese, so students should have Japanese language skills enough to understand the content of the lectures.
Course description and aims
1. Understand the fundamentals of problem-solving skills that management consultants develop through their experience, including logical thinking, modeling, research and analysis techniques, communication skills, and risk management.
2. Understand that these skills are applicable not only in business management but also in industry and academia, and learn how to utilize them effectively.
Student learning outcomes
実務経験と講義内容との関連 (又は実践的教育内容)
The lecturer, who graduated from a master's degree program at Tokyo Tech, worked at a consulting firm and then became a founding member of a startup, deliver the lecture.
Keywords
Management Consultant, Logical Thinking, Modeling, Research and Analysis Methods, Communication Skills, Risk Management, Problem-Solving Skills
Competencies
- Specialist skills
- Intercultural skills
- Communication skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Practical and/or problem-solving skills
Class flow
Each lecture will cover fundamental knowledge while incorporating group discussions or individual exercises, depending on the number of registered students. Opportunities will be provided during lectures for each student to present their opinions and ideas, ensuring that participants develop fundamental concepts and thinking skills beyond mere lecture-based learning.
Lecturer (planned): SHINGAI Yasushi, former Board Member, Aimnext, former Accentur
※The order or content of classes may be changed.
Course schedule/Objectives
| Course schedule | Objectives | |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Orientation |
Students understand the necessity of developing the tools to identify and solve problems. |
| Class 2 | The Fundamentals of logical thinking: how to identify MECE (Mutually Exclusive = no overlap, Collectively Exhaustive = no gaps) relationships |
Students understand the concept of “MECE” and learn how to create a logic tree as a essential tool. |
| Class 3 | Capturing problems and social environments through models |
Students learn modeling techniques for problems and the environment surrounding them. |
| Class 4 | Research and analysis methods and procedures |
Students understand how to formulate hypotheses and conduct research and analysis to solve business problems. They master the basic tools for simple data analysis. |
| Class 5 | Communication skills, persuasion skills |
Students understand that even when facts are clear, value only exists when the other person agrees. They know the requirements for a state of having been persuaded. |
| Class 6 | Risk management, overcoming failure |
Students understand that tackling new challenges involves risk. |
| Class 7 | How the skills learned are being used |
Students learn how the various tools and thinking methods they have acquired are used. |
Study advice (preparation and review)
To enhance effective learning, students are encouraged to spend approximately 100 minutes preparing for class and another 100 minutes reviewing class content afterwards (including assignments) for each class.
They should do so by referring to textbooks and other course material.
Textbook(s)
No textbook. Lecture materials will be distributed during the lecture.
Reference books, course materials, etc.
Instructions will be given during the class when necessary.
Evaluation methods and criteria
- Feedback sheets distributed during each class (30%): What you learned / How it applies to your past problem (or current problem)
- One report covering all 7 Classes (40%): Based on what you learned in Class 2 through 6, analyze a past or current problem you are tackling, or provide recommendations for yourself. Report length is not specified.
- Speak in class (30%)
Related courses
- ENT.C401(LAC.M401) ： Master's Career Development Basics
Prerequisites
Before Class4, where data analysis will be conducted, students should be able to use Excel pivot tables for summarizing data.
A basic level of data summarization is sufficient.
Other
The corresponding GA（Graduate Attributes） for this course is GA1M.
For inquiries regarding Entrepreneurship Courses (for students enrolled in or after AY2024) ,and Career Development Courses (for students enrolled in or before AY2023), please contact us at: Center for Entrepreneurship Education (CEE) (e-mail: info@cee.isct.ac.jp )