What a Good Consulting Engagement Looks Like, and How to Brief a Consultant
A clear brief saves weeks and money. Here is what to prepare before you hire a consultant and what you should expect in return.
Engaging a consultant for the first time can feel uncertain. You are paying for advice you cannot see yet. The good news is that most of what makes an engagement succeed is in your hands, and it starts with the brief.
Define the problem, not the solution
"We need a new organisation structure" is a solution. "Decisions take too long and managers say they do not know what they are responsible for" is a problem. Describe what is going wrong, how you know and what it is costing you. A good consultant may confirm your idea or may suggest something different.
Say what success looks like
Agree two or three measurable outcomes at the start, for example a reduction in the debtor days from 75 to 45, or a board-approved three-year plan. If success cannot be described, it cannot be delivered.
Decide who is involved
Name a senior sponsor who can make decisions and a day-to-day contact who can open doors and provide documents. Most delays in consulting projects come from waiting for information or approvals.
What you should expect from the consultant
- A written scope, timeline, team and fee before work starts
- A short diagnosis phase so that recommendations rest on evidence
- Regular, honest updates, including bad news
- Practical recommendations with owners, dates and costs
- A handover that leaves your team able to continue without us
Questions to ask before you hire
Who will actually do the work? Have you worked with organisations like ours? What do you need from us? How will we know the project is on track? What is not included in the fee? Clear answers to these questions are a good sign.
If you are considering an engagement, we are happy to have a no-obligation conversation to help you shape the brief, even if you decide to go another way.