Your Guide to Project Management Consulting: Definition, Pros and Cons, Tips

Consulting is a dynamic field that is crucial in helping many projects sustain. It brings keys to planning, executing, and completing projects successfully. So, if you are looking for help with executing a project and achieving your goals, project management consulting may be a good idea. If you want to know the ins and outs of this type of service, keep reading to get answers, including its definition, benefits, and shortcomings.

The what and why of project management consultancy services

Project management consultancy is a specialized service offered by experts in project management. Project management consultancy experts work with businesses to improve their project management processes, enhance project delivery, and achieve their strategic objectives. A project management consultant should guide organizations through various tasks. The main goal here is to analyze existing project management practices. However, if they need improvement, a project management consultant should suggest certain ways to improve these practices. 

Pros and cons of hiring project management consultants

Project management consultants can help companies achieve seamless business efficiency. However, just like any other service, they have both upsides and downsides. Let’s take a look at the primary pros and cons of project management consulting services. 

Pros of project management consultancy

The main benefits of hiring a project management consultant include: 

• Expertise. Project management consultants can bring a wealth of experience and expertise to the table. They tend to have a deep understanding of project management methodologies and are experienced in using tools and best practices. Their expert opinion can be invaluable guidance if you’re looking to select the best approach to tackle your project.
• Objective perspective. An external project management consultant is unbiased. That’s why they can bring an objective perspective to an organization’s projects. Such a specialist can identify issues and recommend solutions without being influenced by internal politics or biases.
• Greater efficiency. Project management consultants can streamline project processes and workflows, leading to increased efficiency and cost savings. They can also rely on their own experience in the industry to help organizations avoid common project pitfalls and delays.
• Risk management. Providers of project management consultancy services understand the main risks and have strategies for their mitigation. Whether it goes about interpersonal conflicts or technical gaps in project management, such specialists know how to anticipate and mitigate the impact of such problems. 

Cons of project management consultancy services

As we already mentioned, project management consulting has its downsides. Most of them can be mitigated with the right approach. Still, all these issues are worth mentioning. So, the main downsides of project management consulting are:

• High costs. Hiring project management consultants can be expensive. Some businesses, especially smaller ones, will find the expenses of PM consultancy too high. We at nCube help businesses source solid PMs from Eastern Europe and LATAM whose hourly rates are lower than those of US, UK, and EU experts. 
• Resistance to change. Implementing changes recommended by consultants can face resistance from employees or stakeholders. After all, people are often very resistant to changes. Especially if it goes about experienced professionals who are accustomed to existing processes. This resistance can create additional challenges for a manager willing to implement a consultant’s recommendations.
• Dependency on consultants. Excessive reliance on providers of project management consultancy services may lead to reducing in-house project management capabilities. This dependency can become problematic when the consultant’s contract ends. Consultants’ involvement should be limited because, otherwise, the organization can start struggling to manage projects independently.
• Short-term focus. Project management consultants often have a limited engagement period. They are often focused only on immediate project goals. Long-term strategic planning and sustainability may receive less attention, which may cause a negative impact in the long run. However, additional clarification of goals and focus easily helps you avoid this problem. 

How to find an excellent provider of Project Management consulting services

Overall, project management consulting can bring your business a wide array of bonuses. But how do you find the right consultant who can align with your goals and lead your project to success? Let’s explore steps and strategies to help you find the perfect project management consultant for your business.

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Clearly define your needs

Before you start your search for a provider of project management consulting, it’s crucial to have a clear understanding of your project goals and needs. Make sure that you clearly understand its scope, risks and challenges, budget, skills and experiences, and depth of the required involvement. 

Review recommendations and referrals

Ask your partners and business acquaintances about excellent candidates. Online platforms, such as LinkedIn and industry-specific forums, can also be valuable resources for seeking recommendations and referrals. Post a query about your specific project needs and see if anyone in your network can help.

Conduct online research

The internet is a powerful tool for finding project management consultants. Start by conducting a web search using relevant keywords like “project management consultant” or “project management consulting services.” Check online reviews and make sure to understand your candidates’ level of expertise. Our team at nCube, for instance, can provide you with project managers on a remote basis. 

Interview potential project management consultants

Once you’ve identified potential project management consultants, it’s time to conduct interviews. Before the interview, you should clearly define your needs, concerns, and additional demands. Your interview questions should address all these points. And don’t forget to add more practical questions. In particular, get ready to ask about costs, expenses, and time frames. All things that matter should be discussed long before you start working with your project management consulting specialist. 

Analyze interview results and make a decision

Once the interview is completed, you should take some time to make a decision. Decide whether your consulting partner’s communication style fits yours or not. Also, make sure to check for red flags. If you have any concerns about the lack of transparency, overpromising, portfolio limits, resistance to collaboration, or any other crucial aspects, consider searching for another provider of project management consulting services. 

Hire project management consultants with nCube

We at nCube can help you source project management specialists on a remote basis. In our model, you’ll communicate and work with PM experts directly and they will be fully integrated into your company’s processes as if they were your in-house staff. Contact us and let’s see if our approach suits you.