How to Work with Consultants

The video tutorial provides insights into effectively working with consultants. It covers the importance of preparing a detailed brief before engaging consultants, ensuring cultural fit, and setting up clear reporting and evaluation procedures. During the engagement, collaboration and managing changes are emphasized. Finally, it discusses the importance of debriefing consultants and avoiding dependency on them. The key takeaway is to be a well-informed client to maximize the value of consulting services.

What is the first step before engaging a consultant?

• Issuing a formal brief

• Setting up reporting procedures

• Defining project requirements internally

• Meeting the consultant team

Why is it important to evaluate consultant proposals against a brief?

• To negotiate better rates

• To assess their previous work

• To ensure they match the core requirements

• To check their cultural fit

What should be done if project needs change after issuing a proposal?

• Ignore the changes

• Document and issue a revised brief

• Discuss changes informally

• Cancel the engagement

What is crucial for effective collaboration with consultants?

• Assigning them only minor tasks

• Limiting their access to information

• Seeing them as part of the team

• Viewing them as competitors

What is a variation order?

• A method to change the project brief

• A tool for evaluating consultant performance

• A way to terminate the contract

• A process to vary contract terms

Why is it important to debrief consultants before they leave?

• To ensure they have completed all tasks

• To gather valuable insights and knowledge

• To finalize payment details

• To extend their contract

What should be done with consultants' access and accounts after the project?

• Ignore them

• Leave them active for future use

• Transfer them to new consultants

• Archive and delete them