Principles and Practices of Professional Consulting by Stryker Steven C.;

Author:Stryker, Steven C.;
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Government Institutes
Published: 2010-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Review and Extension

In this portion of the consulting process, the rudiments of issue definition and data collection have been presented. A skills section of methods and techniques dealt with the issue and its underlying causes and detailed the process for conducting an interview. These consulting tools were then used to discover the root causes of the issue. The likely causes were discussed by the client and consultant in order to reach agreement about the issue.

The kinds of data, way(s) of obtaining it, its uses, and resulting effects on the understanding of the issue vary with the issue and the consultant-client interaction. The following pointers are provided to improve the data-gathering and data-analysis functions of consulting to achieve connections between issue definition and resolution:

• Data gathering requires multiple inputs. No single collection method can provide a thorough picture of the issue. This fact implies that the consultant must get to know the client, client group, client organization, and resource people to collect information. It also means that a working rapport should be attempted with all data holders in order to minimize any perceived threats to their position, abilities, potential for promotion, and so forth.

• The data needs are continuous. The organizational situation changes from consultant entry to consultant termination, and revised or new data will be required to carry out all the steps of the consulting process.

• The data should reflect the current situation. The information procured should not consist only of statistics or random anecdotes. The information should be cast in the vocabulary and context of the client and client group. Enumerations and examples should support the data, giving it credibility, orientation, and usefulness.

• The data should reflect the future situation and help prepare the client for the next step: finding a way to resolve the issue (Zaltman 1977; Kubr 1976).

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