You’re managing a consulting project. What are the best practices you need to know?

2 Plan and communicate

Once you have defined the scope and objectives, you need to plan and communicate how you will execute the project. This involves creating a project plan that outlines the tasks, resources, milestones, dependencies, and risks of the project. You should also establish a communication plan that specifies how, when, and with whom you will communicate throughout the project. You should use tools and methods that suit the needs and preferences of your client and your team, such as email, phone, video conferencing, project management software, or ERP-specific tools. Planning and communicating effectively will help you coordinate, collaborate, and resolve issues.

3 Understand and adapt to the client's ERP system

Another important aspect of managing a consulting project is to understand and adapt to the client's ERP system. This means learning how the system works, what the current challenges and opportunities are, and what the best practices and standards are. You should also be aware of the specific features, functions, and modules of the ERP system that are relevant to your project. Depending on the scope and objectives of your project, you may need to perform tasks such as data analysis, process mapping, configuration, customization, integration, testing, or training. You should always follow the client's ERP system guidelines and protocols, and be flexible and responsive to any changes or feedback.

4 Manage the change and risk

Managing a consulting project also involves managing the change and risk that come with implementing or improving an ERP system. Change management is the process of preparing, supporting, and guiding the client and their employees to adopt and use the new or modified ERP system. You should use strategies such as stakeholder engagement, communication, training, and support to facilitate the change and minimize the resistance. Risk management is the process of identifying, assessing, and mitigating the potential threats or uncertainties that may affect the project's outcomes or objectives. You should use techniques such as risk analysis, contingency planning, and risk monitoring to prevent or reduce the impact of the risk.

5 Deliver and evaluate

The final step in managing a consulting project is to deliver and evaluate the results of the project. This means completing the deliverables, transferring the ownership and knowledge to the client, and closing the project. You should also conduct a project evaluation to assess the performance, quality, and satisfaction of the project. You should use methods such as feedback surveys, interviews, or reports to collect and analyze the data and feedback from the client and your team. You should also document the lessons learned, best practices, and recommendations for future projects.