How to Work with Consultants

Working with consultants is unfamiliar to many project managers and project team members. But, if you do it right, you will get the best possible value from your organization’s investment. So, how do you work with consultants?
I was a Project and Program Management consultant for 12 years and have consulted less formally for the last 20. So, that’s over 30 years of experience, on which to base my advice.
Before You Hire Your Consultants
1. Carefully define what you need, so that you can issue a clear and precise brief. This will help potential consultants to propose specific solutions and to price them accurately.
2. Always evaluate the proposals against the brief first. Treat any off-brief elements separately. Assess them carefully: has the consultant suggested something you need, or is it merely a nice-to-have?
3. If the consultants will be working on your site, among your people, evaluate the personalities, attitudes, and culture of the consultant or consulting team. Meet as many people as you can.
At the Start of the Consulting Engagement
1. Consider their formal proposal as a part of their contract to you. But, issue precise, formal instructions, in writing.
2. Brief the consultant or team fully, either before they start or as part of a kick-off session.
3. Develop an ‘evidence procedure’ - a set of measures against which you will measure their performance. Share it with them, so they know clearly what success looks like.
4. Set up effective reporting procedures, that include:
• Regular reports
• Milestone reviews
• A process for ad hoc reports in the instance of exceptions
5. Cover all your admin efficiently. You don’t want to be wasting their time dealing with your admin, like getting access passes.
During the Consulting Engagement
1. Work collaboratively with your consultants, and see them as part of your wider team.
2. Look out for changes to their brief - which can be costly. If you do need to change things, make your decisions internally and document them.
3. Have a formal internal process for issuing new or revised instructions. This needs to align with any contractual variation order process. Ensure any instructions you issue are precise.
Letting Your Consultants Go at the End of the Engagement
1. Don't become dependent upon consultants or, if they are on a rolling contract, don’t forget to release them, when they have done their work.
2. Don't allow them to be a crutch that avoids you properly delegating to your own staff, nor allow them to find ways to overstay their welcome.
3. Before they leave, debrief them thoroughly, so you can harvest any knowledge, methods, or insights that they have accumulated.
4. Get the exit admin right, being sure to remove any passes or access keys from them. And maybe consider changing security codes!
The Most Important Thing…
The most important thing is to be a well-informed client. Ask questions and make sure you understand everything - especially before agreeing to a recommendation that you don’t initially understand fully.
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[@Onlinepmcourses]

From my experience as a consultant, I've compiled a structured set of tips for how to get the best results when you work with consultants. They are an expensive investment, so don't squander it wastefully or with foolish jealousies of competition.

[@Onlinepmcourses]

Thank you for watching - please do subscribe to the channel and, to join my community, sign-up at onlinepmcourses.com/assets440251/the-onlinepmcourses-newsletter/

[@Amazing4u]

I think it is a fair and clear process for both parties. Thank you Mike.

[@Onlinepmcourses]

Thanks. You are welcome, Ali.

[@saibrahmam5511]

Please make information videos on Business Analyst roles sir. Your videos are on point and getting first hand information from you is greatly appreciated.

[@Onlinepmcourses]

Sai, I already have a video that describes what Business Analysis is, and what a Business Analyst does: czcams.com/video/xFsrdEtOqzg/video.html
But, unfortunately, I shan't be making detailed videos on the BA roles, because I am not a Business Analyst, and so cannot speak with sufficient authority or experience.

[@abhimanyupatial]

another masterpiece of information....1k likes

[@Onlinepmcourses]

Thank you very much - here's hoping!

[@jimmye5657]

pքɾօʍօʂʍ ?

[@Onlinepmcourses]

Sorry, no idea what you mean.