As a product development consultant, you have the opportunity to help clients create innovative and valuable solutions for their customers. But how can you ensure that you deliver high-quality work that meets their needs and expectations? Here are some tips to help you provide value as a product development consultant.
Before you start designing or developing anything, you need to understand the problem that your client is trying to solve. What are their goals, challenges, pain points, and opportunities? Who are their target customers, competitors, and stakeholders? How do they measure success and value? By asking these questions, you can define the scope and requirements of the project, and align your approach with your client's vision and strategy.
Aim to understand the problem but also the process around it. What is the purpose, priority properties and essential use of this product? What has been used before? Why? Why the need of something else? What has already been tried?
Before getting to problem identification even, consultants add the most value by first framing the clients’ core business value prop, market, and strengths. The problem space must be understood and solutioned within this context.
1.Market Research and Analysis 2.Idea Generation and Conceptualization 3.Feasibility Studies 4.Product Roadmapping 5.Prototyping and MVP Development 6.Technology Assessment 7.Project Management and Coordination 8.User Experience (UX) Design and Testing 9.Regulatory Compliance 10.Cost Optimization 11.Go-to-Market Strategy 12.Continuous Improvement 13.Training and Knowledge Transfer
Je suis passée freelance Chief Product Officer en début d'année et le plus challenge pour moi a été d'apporter de la valeur beaucoup plus rapidement qu'avant. Ce qui est le plus apprécié chez mes clients : - l'oeil externe et neuf qui peut faire un bilan global par rapport aux standards marché (sur l'équipe, les process, l'outil) - l'analyse de la concurrence et des recommandations de positionnement en fonction - le cadrage des objectifs annuels et de la vision produit, pour poser les bases qui sont souvent manquantes (que ce soit en startup ou en grands groupes) - mon expertise (10 ans en SaaS B2B) et la richesse de ce que j'ai pu voir dans différentes boites en tant que freelance
As a product development consultant, you should be familiar with the best practices and frameworks that guide your field. Whether you use agile, lean, design thinking, or any other methodology, you should follow the principles and processes that ensure quality, efficiency, and effectiveness. For example, you should conduct user research, prototype and test your ideas, iterate and improve your solutions, and document and communicate your results. By applying the best practices, you can demonstrate your professionalism and expertise, and deliver solutions that meet or exceed your client's expectations.
Key factor in applying best practices is staying up-to-date with the latest - whether it is processes or technology developments. You will need to dedicate time to research and networking to keep up.
It’s not enough to know the frameworks. Consultants have to demonstrate mastery of different frameworks for different goals and how they’ve applied them to client engagements successfully. The consultants perceived as high value can articulate which frameworks are best for a client’s problem and elucidate the immediate gains a client will realize by using them.
Product development is not a linear or predictable process. You may encounter changes, uncertainties, feedback, or challenges along the way that require you to adjust your plans, assumptions, or deliverables. As a product development consultant, you should be flexible and adaptable to these situations, and be ready to offer alternative or creative solutions. You should also communicate clearly and frequently with your client, and keep them informed of your progress, challenges, and decisions. By being flexible and adaptable, you can show your value as a problem-solver and a partner, and build trust and rapport with your client.
Product development is a dynamic and evolving field. You should always be curious and eager to learn new skills, tools, techniques, or trends that can enhance your work and add value to your client. You should also seek feedback and reflect on your performance, and identify your strengths and areas for improvement. By learning and growing, you can show your value as a continuous learner and a contributor, and increase your credibility and reputation as a product development consultant.
As a product development consultant, you have a unique perspective and experience that can benefit your client and their customers. You should not only deliver your solutions, but also share your insights and recommendations that can help your client improve their product, process, or strategy. You should also provide evidence and data to support your insights, and explain how they can create value for your client and their customers. By sharing your insights, you can show your value as a consultant and a leader, and create lasting impact for your client.
One thing to keep in mind is the audience and tailoring your insights to them. Ask yourself how many pictures vs words vs numbers will communicate effectively? What learning style and format will work best? Also, how high level does it need to be? Formatting your information to the audience will increase its impact and increase your value as a product development consultant.
Often, clients are seeking a consultant to address a perceived gap and may have already identified a specific solution. Product Consultants add the most value when they can give their client confidence that the problem identified and solution arrived at is in fact an emergent priority that the Consultant will resolve.