Consulting Field Projects Course

Katz Graduate School of Business faculty have offered the Consulting Field Project course for nearly two decades. This course teaches management consulting as a problem-solving framework, allowing students to apply the analytical tools and concepts they have learned at Katz to real-world problems. Clients benefit from the value add of a student consulting team executing a fixed-term consulting engagement for them. At the end of the term student consulting teams present their project summary to a panel of judges who evaluate each presentation based on its rigor and content. This course event, known as the KPMG Cup Competition, is a highlight of the term. 

Practically, students are formed into student consulting teams led a dedicated student Engagement Manager and supported by a dedicated faculty advisor and executive coach. The student consulting teams are then matched to client organizations that have provided projects of immediacy. The student consulting teams work throughout the term to deliver a successful consulting engagement that adds measurable value to the client.

Consulting Field Projects present unique value to students, clients, and advisors alike. Students gain real-world experience in management consulting while growing their networks. Clients work with emerging talent and benefit from new approaches to projects and challenges. Advisors and coaches stay connected to the student and client communities while supporting the engagements throughout the term.

Students Have Completed The Course

Unique Client Organizations From All Industry Sectors

Client Projects Completed

Group of students presenting a project to a crowd

Interested in Engaging a Student Team?

Expressions of interest from new client organizations are always welcomt by completing the form below or contacting Professor Tom Davis at tomdavis@katz.pitt.edu.

Sponsoring client organizations

  • Define the scope of the project, in discussion with the faculty member
  • Appoint a single point of contact (client executive) who will meet regularly with students
  • Share relevant data and contextual information in a timely fashion with the students
  • Provide access to relevant subject matter experts in the organization

Please complete this form if your organization is interested in engaging a student consulting team.

11 + 12 =

Recent Sponsoring Organizations

Peoples Natural Gas Logo
Philips Logo
Toshiba Logo
UPS Logo
FedEx Logo
BNY Mellon Logo
Sheetz Logo
MSA Logo
Giant Eagle Logo
United States Department of State

Recent Faculty Advisors and Engagement Coaches

Ravi Madhavan

Ravi Madhavan
Professor of Business Administration and Alcoa Foundation International Faculty Fellow
Faculty Advisor

Prakash Mirchandani

Prakash Mirchandani
Professor of Business Administration, Director of the Center for Supply Chain Management, Director of the Executive MBA Program
Faculty Advisor

Blair Pomeroy

Blair Pomeroy
Clinical Assistant Professor of Business Administration
Faculty Advisor

Matthias Baumann

Matthias Baumann
Segment Leader Digital Solutions (SaaS + Services), Philips
Engagement Coach

Sponsor and Student Testimonials

For KPMG this was a tremendous opportunity to partner with a number of premier local institutions and support students with real-life learning experiences to help them become better problem solvers, strategic advisers, and trusted partners who are prepared to make a difference when they graduate.”
Chad M. Polen

Managing Partner at KPMG

Both inside and outside of the classroom, Katz students gain the right skill set to grow, thrive, and become business leaders. Case competitions, consulting field projects, and fellowships are just a few ways integrated learning prepares students for the business world.

Andrew Ellis

MBA '20