Evaluating Consultants - Key Questions

Following in the series on finding, selecting and securing the most appropriate consultant for your business need. Let me share some keys questions to ask and internally consider when interviewing and selecting:

1. First prepare a list of questions - Remember you are the client!
2. What is your background, methods and experience?
3. What makes you or your firm ideally suited for this project?
4. What are your weaknesses and how will you address them?
5. What differs in your approach from your competition?
6. How will you manage, communicate and track to deliverables?
7. When do you expect to complete the project?
8. How will you address scope or schedule changes and changes to project direction?
9. When can you begin?
10. What is your fee structure? Is there flexibility in fee structure for prompt payment or longer term contracts?
11. What is your cost estimate for this project?
12. What other resources do you or your firm typically utilize or have access to?
13. Is travel included in your fees?
14. What results can I expect and do you develop metrics or measurement as part of the project?
15. If there will be others involved in the project, what can you tell me about them and their backgrounds?
16. Who will be the main point of contact?

Questions to Ask Yourself:

1. Are their values in line with yours?
2. Do you feel comfortable with them?
3. How did they respond to questions of scope or schedule changes?
4. Will they be flexible and resilient?
5. Will I feel comfortable accepting advice from this person?
6. Does this person really listen?
7. Were their answers in line with my previous knowledge of them via website and collateral?
8. Did they say yes to everything? Is there nothing they can't do? (That should be a warning).