Pushpinder's thought about real state: Managing Consultants

Need to contract out services is nothing new. IT-related
Consultants have been around since the first computers were introduced to
Commercial purposes. Today, Fortune 1000 companies have all consultants
Are playing different roles in IT, either on site or offshore. Many companies are
Satisfied with the work produced by the consultants, others do not. Some
Consultants are a necessary evil, who are considering dealing with the
In an autocratic manner and charge exorbitant rates. For this type
Consultants, it is not uncommon for the client to be left in the dark
In the case of consultants is done, where they are going, and if
And they will never be completed. To understand this,
Such chaos brought on by their own tax advisors.

IT advisory services provide three types:

Special expertise - skills and proficiencies represent your company at present, this knowledge of a particular product, industry, software, management techniques, special programming techniques and languages, computer hardware, etc., without
Additional resources in those tasks where resources are allocated to either unavailable or in short supply, it is often better to tap outside resources to work.
Offer advice - get a new perspective on a problem, it sometimes on how to proceed to bring in an outsider to give an objective opinion is beneficial. A different set of eyes can see that often we may have overlooked something.

For whatever purpose we want to use a consultant, it is important
To manage them even before they are hired. It means a company
Know exactly what it should do before hiring a consultant.

Liability Definition

Before we contact a consultant, let's start by defining
Clearly, concisely and accurately as possible assignments
It should not be much different from writing a job description
For in-house staff. This should include:

Scope - Work assignments specify the limits and details are being produced. It should also include the work (on-site, off-site, both) can be performed and the time frame of job performance.
Duties and Responsibilities - Specify the type of work being performed.
Necessary skills and proficiencies - required specific knowledge or experience to work for.
Administrative relationships - referred to consultants who work with and they (internal staff and external consultants) is reported.
Methodology idea - methodology, techniques, and tools to be used to produce deliverables and review points, along with the specified. This is an important consideration in the management of consultants. However, if the consultant his / her own method to use, the customer understand how it works and to produce deliverables.
Miscellaneous-house standards - depending on the company, it is necessary to enforce corporate policies, for example, travel expenses, dress code, attendance, behavior, drug testing, etc. are reviewed

Many people say the definition of an assignment is overkill. Far from
It. We manage some of the rules, if we can not
First game? Do your homework now will pay dividends later on when
Trying to manage the consultants. Assignment clearly benefit both
Clients and consultants alike. The uniqueness of the end
Vague areas and helps the consultant in physics to quote a price.

Choosing a Consultant

Armed with an assignment definition, we can start
Essentially the same way the process of selecting a consultant
Selection as a staff house. Choosing the right adviser
As an important task to be worked in as. Such as candidates,
To work should be able to demonstrate your expertise. Certificate
And / or skills required in testing the best ways to check
And proficiencies. Also, prior consultation of the review (and
Check references) is very useful. Check credentials
Short of required standards in the industry. For example, many
Consultants and experts should be noted that a fancy title can pose
Your area, but in reality, be nothing more than contract
Programmers. In other words, beware of wolves in sheep's clothing.

Ideally, a consultant to both business and technical needs
Background. True, the technical expertise it needs to
Work, but a basic understanding of business (especially your
Business) is also important for the consultant to customize
Environment. It needs, even if you are using nothing more than
Contract programmers.

In the case of wages, you have basically two options: an hourly
Rate or a fixed price. East, make sure that the hours of work
Specified, including on-site and off-site. Many customers
Rough paid an hourly wage for off-site consultants. Down
This scenario, routine status report should be required to itemize
Work and time spent. However, the lion's share
Consulting services are based on a fixed price contract. Here,
Method is rather important role. Whether you are
"Pride" or any other method using brand X, this important advisory
And clients have a clear understanding of project work
Breakdown structure, deliverables to be produced, and Reviews
Points. This, in terms of an effective dialogue can be informed
Project management. In addition, the methodology becomes the basis
For the preparation of estimates and schedules.

After examining the candidates, it is necessary
Balance of cost against the level of expertise. Of course, a senior
Person might probably get the job done in less time, but
Cost may be too high for your budget. "Specialized" versus
"Spent" at this point is a serious consideration.

That is selected, it is important that a written agreement
Prepared and signed. Assignment agreement should reference
Definition mentioned above and any other relevant corporate
Verbiage. Very Important: Make sure it is clear that the work
Consultant produced by its unique property (which is not
Consultant). In addition, consultants should not be misappropriated
Work with other work. Finally, add a related section
Workmanship, the consultant his / her price is right
Any defects found, for example, defective software, data base design, etc.

Managing Consultant

The two most obvious are the ways of management consultants
Regular status reports and project them to the report. So
The report should be produced on a weekly basis and is expanding
Last week, the consultant has produced and expand his / her
Is planned for the coming week. You, the client's review, and should
Report and file all such accordingly.

A consultant in reality a method to aid in tracking
Progress. As a framework for a project, the method takes
The guesswork out of what is produced and when. Without
Such a roadmap, you are at the mercy of consultants. With
These lines, I am reminded of a story of a big building
UK company which has a large CPA firms to use
Dealing with a major system development work. The system was
The customer is very important, but necessary reduction in
Resources to develop it, they turned to the CPA firm to design and
Develop it. Unfortunately, customers did not take time
The method to define the project and left
CPA firm's discretion. Project and the CPA
Firm to perform site brought many junior staff members
Systems and programming work. So far so good. However,
Went for a long time before the customer asked the senior partner
Project (after several monthly invoice) in the state.
Senior fellow customer is assured that all was well and
The project was running smoothly. Over the past (and more
Invoice still with nothing to show for it) was paid. Be
Curious as many customers began to badger consultant
When the project is completed. Finally, after several
Stop the month, consultants proudly announced, "Today
We completed Phase 1 .... But now we move on to Phase
2. "And, as you can imagine, there were many more successful
Stages with no end in sight.

What is the moral to the story? Without a method Roadmap,
It is next to impossible to effectively manage a consultant.
Project direction will be lost almost immediately and the project will
Go into a tailspin. The only person who wins in this regard
Consultant who regardless of what work is being
Is produced. Instead of vague generalities, you, the customer,
Learn to manage deliverables.

Conclusion

I recommend to anyone considering one of the most important
Using outside consultants is simple: Get everything in
Writing! Clearly define the work assignment, a signed
Agreement spelling out the terms of assignment, and
Ask for regular status reports.

I am always amazed at how firms advising companies
Carte blanche to do project work as they see fit. Running
Total control of a consultant is not only irresponsible, it is
Is extremely precarious and may represent collusion and kickbacks.

There is nothing magical in managing consultants. It is necessary
Simple planning, organization, and nothing more than control. If you
Are not willing to do it, do not be surprised with the result
Produced. A consultant's failure to properly manage or substantial
Inspect work in progress will produce inadequate results. If so,
Yourself (and your company) a favor, do your homework and make a
Both consultants and win-win scenario for yourself.

Pushpinder's thought about real state

Thursday, August 18, 2011

Managing Consultants

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