A good consultant brings an outside perspective, sharp expertise, and the ability to execute — provided the engagement is well scoped.
Define the engagement
Spell out the problem to solve, the expected deliverables, and the success metrics before signing. A vague mandate yields vague results.
Questions to ask
- What’s their experience in your sector?
- Who will actually do the work?
- What deliverables and timeline?
- How is success measured?
Frequently asked questions
Fixed fee or hourly?
A fixed fee suits well-defined work; hourly suits exploratory work. Clarify the total budget upfront.
How do I avoid scope creep?
Set milestones and dated deliverables, and review progress regularly.