Practical questions that separate a partner who transfers knowledge from a vendor who hands over documents and leaves.
A good proposal on paper does not guarantee a good engagement in delivery. Here are six questions we encourage clients to ask any consultancy — ourselves included.
- Who will actually deliver? Ask for the names and CVs of the field team, not the partners who showed up to the pitch.
- What exactly are the deliverables? Ask for a numbered list of documents and tools you will receive, not a description of phases.
- How will success be measured? Agree two or three indicators in writing before work begins.
- What is the knowledge transfer mechanism? Ask how your team will run the solution once the consultant leaves.
- What is explicitly out of scope? A clear answer signals maturity; evasion is a warning.
- Can we speak to a past client in a comparable sector? A flat refusal with no contractual reason is worth pausing over.
Finally: be wary of anyone who guarantees you will win an award or obtain a certificate. No one can guarantee the decision of an independent jury or certification body, and whoever makes that promise either misunderstands the process or does not intend to honour it.
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Tell us where you stand and what you want to achieve, and we will come back with an initial view of scope, duration and investment within two working days.