If you've read much about IT consulting, then you may have some questions about what actually takes place during IT consultation. In most cases, portrayals of the IT consulting process are geared toward specialists that already know what kind of IT consulting they need. But if you're just realizing the potential impact that working with IT consulting services companies can have on your business, it helps to have a basic understanding of how IT consultants conduct the computer consulting process. While not all IT consulting services companies employ the same methodology on a micro level; on a macro level, the IT consulting process generally plays out five sequential phases, which we list and describe below.
Entry and Contracting
In the entry and contracting phase, you work with the IT consultant to establish the necessary groundwork for deciding what kind of IT assistance your company needs and how it should be carried out. At your first meeting with the IT consultant, you'll discuss what the problem is. Upon hearing the problem, the IT consultant will decide if it is the best consultant for the job. If so, you'll then list your expectations of services offered and hear the IT consultants' expectations as well. After discussing mutual expectations, you'll arrive at a plan of when and how your IT solutions will begin implementation.
Data Collecting and Diagnosis
In the data collecting and diagnosis phase, the consultant does exactly what the phase suggests: collects your company's data and diagnoses it in terms of finding specific solutions to specific problems. During this phase, the consultant will decide what type of data needs to be collected, what methodologies will be used and how long the diagnostic process will take.
The Planning Phase
During the planning phase, be prepared to find out exactly what needs to be done and exactly how much it will cost. For IT consultants, the planning phase is usually the most stressful for two reasons: companies often want a cheaper solution that what is being proposed and the IT consultant remains dedicated to implementing the most beneficial solution possible. Companies often mistake a consultant who isn't willing to compromise on solutions as a hard seller who is simply out to make money. But reputable consultants are rarely willing to offer cheap solutions that will jeopardize their company's reputation. If you find consultant clearmobius who remains dedicated to a certain solution, take it as a sign of quality and not a sign of greed.
The Implementation Phase
After coming to an agreement with the consultant about what solutions will work best, the implementation phase commences, and it can play out in a variety of ways. In some cases, companies decide to handle the implementation process without the aid of the consultant, while in other cases a consultant presides over the implementation phase. In addition, many IT implementations begin with informational meetings or training sessions for employees, which are often overseen by the consultant. In most cases, IT consultants remain involved in the IT consulting process until the end of the implementation phase.
Entry and Contracting
In the entry and contracting phase, you work with the IT consultant to establish the necessary groundwork for deciding what kind of IT assistance your company needs and how it should be carried out. At your first meeting with the IT consultant, you'll discuss what the problem is. Upon hearing the problem, the IT consultant will decide if it is the best consultant for the job. If so, you'll then list your expectations of services offered and hear the IT consultants' expectations as well. After discussing mutual expectations, you'll arrive at a plan of when and how your IT solutions will begin implementation.
Data Collecting and Diagnosis
In the data collecting and diagnosis phase, the consultant does exactly what the phase suggests: collects your company's data and diagnoses it in terms of finding specific solutions to specific problems. During this phase, the consultant will decide what type of data needs to be collected, what methodologies will be used and how long the diagnostic process will take.
The Planning Phase
During the planning phase, be prepared to find out exactly what needs to be done and exactly how much it will cost. For IT consultants, the planning phase is usually the most stressful for two reasons: companies often want a cheaper solution that what is being proposed and the IT consultant remains dedicated to implementing the most beneficial solution possible. Companies often mistake a consultant who isn't willing to compromise on solutions as a hard seller who is simply out to make money. But reputable consultants are rarely willing to offer cheap solutions that will jeopardize their company's reputation. If you find consultant clearmobius who remains dedicated to a certain solution, take it as a sign of quality and not a sign of greed.
The Implementation Phase
After coming to an agreement with the consultant about what solutions will work best, the implementation phase commences, and it can play out in a variety of ways. In some cases, companies decide to handle the implementation process without the aid of the consultant, while in other cases a consultant presides over the implementation phase. In addition, many IT implementations begin with informational meetings or training sessions for employees, which are often overseen by the consultant. In most cases, IT consultants remain involved in the IT consulting process until the end of the implementation phase.
