Assessment: Building the Foundation of a Project
When a business process becomes painful enough to enlist outside help, it is tempting to rush directly to a solution. It is especially tempting for a consulting firm to simply deliver a solution to ease the pain. It is important to take enough time to step back from the symptoms to properly assess the situation before basing a solution on existing, unchallenged assumptions.
Over half of our referral client business is the result of well intentioned consultants not delivering tangible long-term results. These projects typically need reining in and a refocus on the core business vision.
Our Process of Assessment
To fully understand the problem, we want to get all of the issues and symptoms on the table at one time.
During the assessment, we bring fresh brainstorming with the addition of an independent, unattached opinion to the consulting table.
After assessing the problem and determining the scope, constraints, participants, budget, and rough schedule, all the information is organized into the project charter. This document provides the basis on which we should proceed and gives the project a clear direction.
Typical Deliverables
- Budget
- Feasibility matrix
- Document repository
- Gantt chart (or schedule)
- Project charter