As an IT consultant, you need to use various tools to deliver your services, such as software, hardware, platforms, frameworks, and methodologies. But how do you make sure that your IT consulting tools are easy to use and accessible for yourself, your clients, and your team? In this article, we will share some tips and best practices to help you achieve this goal.
The first step is to choose the right tools for your IT consulting projects. You should consider factors such as the scope, budget, timeline, requirements, and expectations of your clients, as well as your own skills, preferences, and resources. You should also research the features, benefits, drawbacks, and compatibility of different tools, and compare them with your alternatives. Ideally, you should select tools that are reliable, secure, flexible, scalable, and cost-effective.
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Staying relevant in a dynamic environment requires a feedback loop where as a consultant the challenge is establishing some proximity to the customers/client to be abreast at a similar rate of change as the industry. Keys to doing so rest with one’s strategies to do so via projects and time allocated to accomplish such.
The second step is to simplify the interface of your IT consulting tools. You should aim to make them as user-friendly and intuitive as possible, so that you and your clients can easily navigate, understand, and operate them. You should avoid unnecessary complexity, clutter, and jargon, and use clear labels, icons, menus, buttons, and instructions. You should also provide feedback, help, and support options, and test the usability and accessibility of your tools with different users and devices.
I have experienced that a viable alternative to simplification of UI/UX is to be the interface(s) yourself. Many of my non tech savvy clients prefer personal interaction and clear communication to fulfil their ICT requirements. This is not only rewarding on a human level, but essential when the complexity of an operation demands the use of specialised tools which would otherwise be inoperable.
“Simplicity” should always be the modus operandi for IT tools and models (especially ML/AI) and especially so for executive-level communications, client use and even for staff that are challenged skill-wise of which the latter presents such in today’s workforce dynamics. Technology is advancing at a pace faster than society’s capacity to supply employees of requisite skills whereby transitional technologies are being leveraged as abstractions for the lack practical experiences.
The third step is to document the process of using your IT consulting tools. You should create and maintain a comprehensive and up-to-date documentation that covers all the aspects of your tools, such as the installation, configuration, operation, maintenance, troubleshooting, and update. You should use a consistent and logical format, structure, and language, and include screenshots, diagrams, examples, and code snippets where appropriate. You should also make your documentation available and accessible online, offline, and in different formats.
The fourth step is to train the users of your IT consulting tools. You should provide adequate and relevant training to yourself, your clients, and your team, so that they can use your tools effectively and efficiently. You should design and deliver your training according to the needs, goals, and levels of your users, and use various methods and materials, such as videos, tutorials, guides, manuals, webinars, workshops, and quizzes. You should also evaluate and improve your training based on the feedback and results of your users.
The fifth step is to monitor the performance of your IT consulting tools. You should track and measure how well your tools are working and meeting your expectations and objectives. You should use various metrics and indicators, such as speed, accuracy, quality, reliability, security, usability, and satisfaction. You should also collect and analyze data and feedback from your tools, yourself, your clients, and your team, and use them to identify and resolve any issues or problems.
The sixth step is to update your IT consulting tools. You should keep your tools up to date with the latest versions, features, improvements, and fixes. You should also review and revise your tools regularly, and make sure that they are compatible and compliant with the changing needs, standards, and regulations of your industry and market. You should also communicate and collaborate with your tool providers, partners, and users, and seek their input and suggestions for your tool updates.
Understand your user base. If you're working with clients under compliances such as HIPAA, CJIS, or PCI, be sure to be compliant yourself. They need to know they can give you access to what you need and that your environment will not introduce problems into their environment. Be the expert, not the problem.