Managing the Quality of

Consulting Engagements
 Objectives

◉ Project Evaluation and Controls

◉ Various Techniques in Project Evaluation and Controls

◉ Establishment of Controls

◉ Special Considerations for Sole Practitioners

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 Project Evaluation and Controls

Independent
Time
Administrative Quality
Reporting
Controls Assurance
Procedures
Reviews

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 4

Administrative Framework

👤 One or more client management committees

👤 Top (executive) management

👤 Information Processing Services Department

👤
“
 Client Management Committee

Project Steering Committee Management Advisory Committee

• For direct control over the project • provides advice regarding leading
• comprised of senior management practices in performance management
from each area of the client that is and analytics, as well as long-term
affected by the system project, the strategy for the program
project’s leader, and the manager of
information processing services
department.

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Time Reporting and Analysis
Procedures
Keeps the project within its time schedule and peso budget.

 Provides information for planning, administering and controlling the project

 Prepare and control updates
 Assist the project leader in preparing status reports
 Used to account for all time used on the project by the team

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Causes of Variances in Time

Improper
Inappropriate
Application of Improper
Communication Assignment
Guidelines in
of Tasks
Estimates

Unexpected Unexpected
Changes to Difficulties
Scope and Pertaining to
Objectives Resources

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Independent Quality Assurance
Review

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Independent Quality Assurance Reviews

The presentation
and format of all
The system
The system procedures,
satisfies all user
Time frame is employs documentation
requirements and
aligned and cost satisfactory and and coding are
is operable on a
estimates are competent neat, well
day-to-day basis
agreed upon. methods and organized and
without
techniques compliant with
assistance
established client
standards

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Quality Assurance
Program

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Independent Reviews
1. Independent – someone who is not associated with the project
2. Must possess a skill level at least as high as that of the project leader.

Independent reviews must be conducted prior to reaching implementation

project milestones.

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Quality Assurance Checklist

These contain a series of questions concerning the quality of work performed

And should be
1. Prepared by the project supervisor responsible for the work
2. Reviewed by both the project leader and independent reviewer.

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Types of Controls

Preventive Controls Feedback Controls

Establish benchmarks of Represent the monitoring
expected performance mechanisms used by consulting
(standards of comparison) firms to maintain control over
engagement schedules and
internal administrative
operations, as well as activities
related to competence and
service quality

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Maintenance of Controls

Appointment of a
Service Review Practice Director and
Service Coordinator

Engagement
Staff Evaluation
Analysis

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Competency Evaluation
Checklist for Consultants

◉ Staff Consultant
◉ Manager
◉ Partner

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 👤

Special Considerations for

Sole Practitioner
Operating as Management Consultant
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 Ability to strike a rapport / relationship building

Business and social etiquette

Winning Developing a unique personal style
Qualities
of a Being truthful
Good
consultant Projecting a winning image

Building customer trust

Being Knowledgeable

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Scope of Consulting Practice

The scope of consulting practice depends on both the area of expertise of

the practitioner and his or her experience.

Many practices start with a single individual, and the scope can include
technical consulting in engineering, industrial management, marketing,
business management, or in any other financial areas.

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Scope of Consulting Practice

Organizing Building the Monitoring

the Practice Practice Results
• Financing • Initial Client Base
Requirements • Performance
• Positioning the Measures
• Time Scheduling Practice • Quality Control
• Billings and • Practice Standards
Collections Development
Network

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 Financing Requirements

Financing include the need for working capital to pay basic operating
expenses and also to fund accounts receivable that represent time
billings to clients.

The working capital will then smooth out fluctuations in cash flow, and
keep the practice going.

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 Time Scheduling

This is present in both individual consultant and consulting practice with

multiple staff.

Consultants need a good bit of self-discipline to profitably utilize the

available time by seeking work to fill that time, or to use unscheduled
time for other errands.

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 Billings and Collections

Cash flow problems can sink even

profitable businesses. Not having a
modern, efficient accounts
receivable system in place can make getting paid on time and in full
difficult.

Some consultants charge for professional services and for support staff,
such as secretarial assistance. Some charge for telephone calls,
photocopying, postage, and expenses of such nature.
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Building Initial
Client Base

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 Initial Client Base

Initially, consultants work with one or more clients who provide the base. Then as the
practice grows and the consultant gaining more experience, he / she begins to develop
a base of clients to serve and use for referrals.

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 Positioning the Practice

Perpetuating a company’s existence in the business world requires some form of

positioning through unique capabilities, unique experiences, or ability to deal with
specific problems.

It is important to identify these advantages and use them to establish and maintain
market share.

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Practice Development
Network

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 Practice Development
Network

The development of an ongoing source of revenues is critical to the success of the

consulting practice.

Building a successful network requires keeping the consultant’s name in front of clients
and contacts.

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 Performance Measures

One of the basic practice administration requirements is to maintain the

financial and accounting records that provide a financial scorecard. Objectives
established prior to the beginning of the practice year are necessary for
evaluation of actions taken to achieve desired results.

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KPI Scorecard

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 Quality Control Standards

Quality work includes properly communicated results and minimal errors and
omissions. Maintaining quality control requires discipline. The consultant must
rely on discipline and a sense of care and caution to ensure that projects meet
professional standards.

In a consulting practice with two or more individuals, quality control takes on a

different aspect.

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Sample Quality Control Guide

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Thanks!

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