Business Consulting ServicesBusiness Consulting Services

•Engagement Proposal & Letter of Agreement•Project Management• Timelines/GANNT Chart

Engagement LetterEngagement Letter• Objectives• Scope• Assumptions and Constraints• Work Products and Final Deliverables• Deadlines and Milestones• Status Report Cycle• Reviews and Sign-offs• Fees and Expenses

Engagement LetterEngagement Letter

Scope:• Define exactly what aspects are included.

Example: Based on your criteria, we’ll help you find the best contact management application.

• Define exactly what aspects are NOT included.Example: We will not review all receipts to compile the

sales breakdown.

This avoids unmet expectations of the client and protects you from “Scope Creep”

Engagement LetterEngagement Letter

Assumptions and Constraints• “We assume that LaPayne can produce

sufficient photos to meet demand.”• “The Flower Patch B & B has $3000 budgeted

for marketing.”

Do the assumptions and constraints prevent you from achieving the objectives? What then?

Engagement LetterEngagement Letter

Work Products & Final Deliverables:

• Tell your client exactly what they will receive as a result of your work.

• For example: “Oral and written reports that discuss the various target markets for your Consulting Firm and a plan that directs you to the best media outlets and the proper timing for each advertisement.”

Engagement LetterEngagement Letter

Deadlines and Milestones:

• The final report will be delivered on December 8, 2007

• Project milestones include:• Initial market report on 10-15-07• Results of survey on price points 11-21-07

Engagement LetterEngagement Letter

Status Report Cycle:

• An agreed upon period for updates to your client

• An agreed upon format for those updates• This depends to a large degree on your

client’s wishes

Engagement LetterEngagement Letter

Fees and Expenses:• Detail what the client will pay for. Mileage, printing, research, etc.• Detail how the client will be billed. Expense list presented prior to final report.• Detail when the client pays you. At the oral presentation or before

Getting it to Work – Getting it to Work – Timelines & Project Work Plan Timelines & Project Work Plan

• Define tasks• Determine Skill Requirements• Assign Resources• Estimate Effort• Implement

Project Management ToolsProject Management Tools

Excel GANTT chart

Free Project Management Software

Define TasksDefine Tasks• Develop issue lists• Determine work approach

Hypothesis drivenImplementation driven

• Deliverable timing• Task interdependencies• Milestones• Prioritization

Determine Skill RequirementsDetermine Skill Requirements

• Assess skill/competency requirement by activity task ---

AnalysisData collectionManagementTechnicalAdministration

Assign ResourcesAssign Resources

• Match skill sets and experience• Consultants versus client staff• Availability• Workload issues• Development needs

Estimate EffortEstimate Effort

• Task complexity• Task dependencies• Related milestones• Data availability and quality• Previous consultant experience• Resource skills and availability

ImplementImplement

• Final reviewsTeamInstructorClient

• Communicate work plan to all relevant parties

• Monitor performance• Update

GANTT ChartGANTT Chart

The Key to: Project flow

Accountability Time Budgeting

Resource Budgeting Progress Analysis

GANTT ChartGANTT Chart

Feb. 9 Feb.10 Feb. 11 Feb. 12 Feb. 13 Feb. 14 Feb. 15 Feb. 16Activity/Task

Get Non-disclosure agreement signed by team and client

Client Meeting TeamFact Finding Report

Research industry competitors MikeResearch industry outlook Tami

Write industry competitors section MikeWrite Industry outlook section Tami

Edit FFR SueSubmit FFR to Mr. Kurtz Sue

Progress Report To Mr. Kurtz Sue

Questions?Questions?