Define
It is imperative for both the client and the consultant, and all the other professional or neighbours that may come to rely upon the consultant’s work, to know exactly what it is that the consultant has been asked to do, in other words to carefully define the actual problem that needs addressing, the absolute need.
This absolute need may not always be the same as simply trying to resolve the presenting problem.
For example, the absolute need may be to secure planning consent from the local planning authority; the presenting need may simply be for the applicant to submit “a tree report” with the application for planning consent.
Design
Once the definition of the client’s absolute need has been defined, to the satisfaction of both the client and the consultant, and agreed in writing, the consultant can then begin to invest time in researching how best to design the most appropriate consultancy service that will best answer the client’s absolute need.
Continuing the example from above, if the need is to secure planning consent then the consultant’s report will, as an absolute minimum, have to follow the guidance within BS 5837:2012 Tress in relation to design, demolition and construction – Recommendations – anything less will not meet the local planning authority’s needs and so will not serve the client’s best interests.
If the client needs more, or if the consultant offers more, then that will need to be agreed prior to this stage of the consultancy service. Additional work, after the client’s instruction has been accepted, may result in considerably more work for the consultant and may well be the subject of an additional consultancy fee.
Deliver
The deliverables need to be agreed, just as much as the fundamental question that requires to be answered.
It is imperative for both the client and the consultant, and all the other professional or neighbours that may come to rely upon the consultant’s work, to know exactly what it is that the consultant has been asked to do, in other words to carefully define the actual problem that needs addressing, the absolute need.
This absolute need may not always be the same as simply trying to resolve the presenting problem.
For example, the absolute need may be to secure planning consent from the local planning authority; the presenting need may simply be for the applicant to submit “a tree report” with the application for planning consent.
Design
Once the definition of the client’s absolute need has been defined, to the satisfaction of both the client and the consultant, and agreed in writing, the consultant can then begin to invest time in researching how best to design the most appropriate consultancy service that will best answer the client’s absolute need.
Continuing the example from above, if the need is to secure planning consent then the consultant’s report will, as an absolute minimum, have to follow the guidance within BS 5837:2012 Tress in relation to design, demolition and construction – Recommendations – anything less will not meet the local planning authority’s needs and so will not serve the client’s best interests.
If the client needs more, or if the consultant offers more, then that will need to be agreed prior to this stage of the consultancy service. Additional work, after the client’s instruction has been accepted, may result in considerably more work for the consultant and may well be the subject of an additional consultancy fee.
Deliver
The deliverables need to be agreed, just as much as the fundamental question that requires to be answered.
At the simplest level, what
format should the consultant’s report take?
Should it be an un-locked Word file or a secure PDF, should the site
plan be on the back of a fag packet or presented as an AutoCAD or SHP file?
Another key concern will be the
consultant’s timeline – if the client’s need is urgent, can the preferred
consultant deliver within that time, or will another consultant be invited to submit
a proposal?
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