Common Consulting Mistakes

At the beginning stages of a consulting engagement, there are ample opportunities to make mistakes. Unfortunately, mistakes at such an early stage in a project can often become magnified later in the process and can lead to disastrous results. Here's a list from Brown & Kirkwood to watch out for.

• Accepting without question the accuracy of the business partner's stated objective or description of the problem.
• Failing to check for alignment of state objectives with departmental or corporate goals.
• Immediately focusing on a solution, implementation, and "the fix".
• Jumping to conclusions about how to go about conducting the project.
• Not asking clarifying questions regarding resources, results, timelines, and measurables.
• Agreeing to unrealistic timelines.
• Being intimidated by the title of the presenting sponsor or client.
• Not raising issues you feel uncomfortable with.
• Not challenging what is being avoided e.g. the facts, the risks, accountability, and defined results.
• Not asserting what's needed to be successful.
• Fear. "I'm not good enough."
• Overconfidence. "Been there, done that."
• Not tuning in to the potential value-drivers that can help to build the value proposition for the inevitable costs of the project.