Essential Tools for Management Consulting

CONSULTANCY PROJECTS 71
Quality should be part of the working arrangement
not just in the acceptance and implementation of the
final report but from the outset in finding out exactly
what the client ’s expectations are and developing a
trusting working relationship throughout the assignment
process. This is also seen in the client having
confidence in the individual and his/her team, and
importantly feeling that they are credible and able to
make a valued contribution.
Having examined the three project management
components of time, cost and quality, the consultant
cannot rely on just balancing these three variables –
difficult as this task is – to please the client without
regular contact and progress reporting. This communication
is important to show that the work is progressing
towards meeting the required quality and business expectations.
Indeed, the benefits of such two -way communications
are twofold:
• First, to allow the client to gain a level of confidence
that the work being undertaken remains achievable
in both technical and practicable terms.
• Second, to provide to the consultant access to the
client as an informed sounding board for discussing
uncertainties and seeking operational business
clarification.
From the consultant ’s perspective, maintaining close
contact with their client through the assignment period