Navigating Day One: Setting the Foundation for Consulting Success
Having been in the consultancy world for 17 years and having delivered in over 38 projects across many organisations, finding your feet quickly and successfully mobilising into a client and a project team is critical to your success. Here are my thoughts on how you can achieve this and some of the key things you can do to help get familiar with a project…
Embracing the Day One Shock Factor
First-day nerves? – Good news it’s totally normal. Picture it as the “thermal shock” of jumping into ice-cold water—it’s a jolt, but you’ll adjust. High-stakes industries have high expectations, with regulations like CFR 21 Part 11 in pharma, AML in banking, and ITAR for defence; these types of frameworks keep everyone on their toes. The best way to stay afloat? Be ready to roll with the unique standards and culture each industry, organisation and challenge brings.
The “Inside Track” Hack
Starting a new project can feel overwhelming, but getting the “inside track” from someone already involved can ease the load. In today’s post-Covid world, where remote working is more prevalent, you may need to reach out to understand the nitty-gritty tools like VDI, teams, or Zoom – even those oddly specific multi-factor authentication (MFA) setups. Ask about the location of project documents, how to contact the Helpdesk, and where to access time-tracking resources and any mandatory training. These small insights can save you hours of scrambling, so don’t hesitate to ask.
Building the Consultant’s Survival Kit
Preparation isn’t just helpful; it’s your lifeline. A few tools go a long way in navigating new territory:
Who’s Who Document: Create a list of key players like project leaders, regulatory officers, and IT contacts. Knowing who to approach for what helps you avoid the dreaded email dead-ends.
Glossary of Terms: Every industry has its own weird lingo. Learning terms like “VDI” or “Jabber connector” quickly helps you sound like an insider.
Document Map: Locate policies, client documents, and guidelines — whether on Teams, Confluence, or elsewhere. This ensures you can hit the ground running.
Regulatory Snapshot: Regulations can be hefty (hello PCI-DSS, GDPR), but familiarising yourself with the basics boosts confidence in client conversations. Does the client use AWS, GCP, or Azure? Are they aligned with NIST standards? Knowing these fundamentals gives you a head start.
Getting the Logistical Ducks in a Row
The logistics of consulting can be trickier than they seem. Tackle the small stuff first to focus on the bigger project goals:
IT and System Access: Don’t underestimate how long setting up access can take. MFA, VDI, or specific tools may require approvals—know who to contact if you hit a roadblock.
Communication Channels: Once you’re in, clarify where project documents and shared resources are stored to avoid frustration later. Clear this up early to dive into real work faster.
Timesheets and Reporting: Time tracking is often essential a consulting essential. Master this early to stay on top of admin tasks and maintain good relationships with both your consultancy and the client.
Managing Consultant Relations: If the assignment doesn’t align with what was discussed, speak to your Managing Consultant. It’s better to flag issues early than get in too deep. A simple chat might adjust expectations or the SOW (Statement of Work) if necessary.
Setting Day One, Week One, and Month One Goals
Consulting isn’t about easing in slowly—it’s about delivering value from day one. Here’s how to structure your approach:
Day One: Focus on orientation and building your network. Find out who’s who, learn the ropes, and get a handle on the project.
Week One: By now, you’re the “new kid” but not lost. Dive into your tasks, understand your deliverables, and start mapping out project objectives and challenges.
Month One: It’s showtime! Check your drafts, present your ideas, and ensure you’re aligned with the client’s milestones and timelines.
Reviewing the SOW
The SOW serves as your role’s blueprint, but reality doesn’t always match expectations. If things look different on the ground, assess whether tasks should be added or adjusted. It's a fine line between doing the extra ask and needing a change request. Your Managing Consultant can help you navigate this—don’t hesitate to speak up if something feels off.
Understanding Company Culture
Adapting to a company’s unique way of working is one of the biggest challenges. In regulated sectors, the culture is often layered with extra procedures. Pharma? Expect meticulous documentation. Banking? Confidentiality and reporting are the names of the game. Beyond this, get familiar with approval boards and review processes. Ask for examples of “successful” submissions—they’re your guideposts.
Organising Project Management Logs and Frameworks
High-stakes consulting demands excellent organisation. Day one is the perfect time to set up logs for risks, issues, assumptions, and dependencies (RAID logs). These aren’t just for show—they’re lifesavers during compliance checks and can highlight early project risks. Knowing the difference between functional and non-functional requirements helps too. A quick way to avoid headaches later is to check how well the requirements align with testing needs.
Embracing Adaptability and Resilience
Consulting is a lesson in flexibility. Priorities shift, and unexpected demands are part of the deal. Staying calm, recalibrating, and moving forward are skills that get stronger with each project. Each small success—be it resolving access issues or submitting a report – adds to your confidence and resilience.
Enjoying the Change: The Consultant’s Perk
Consulting is a career of fresh starts: a new email, a clean inbox, and a new landscape every time. While some professionals stay in one role for decades, consultants encounter new people, technologies, and challenges with each project. It’s liberating! A recent project on a Windows 2003 AD upgrade, for instance, was a throwback, showing just how much technology (and my own experience) has evolved over time.
Consulting’s variety keeps you sharp. For me adaption has always been there - my first days with SCO Xenix migrating to Novell's Netware felt like a huge migration, in today’s work the complex tech environments are just so much more complex and challenging, and yet the need to stay adaptable and "current" remains constant. There is more than just a feeling of needing to run in order to keep up. Some people prefer deep specialisation, and that is totally okay, but for me, consulting is a mix of new experiences, and this is where I thrive. Yes, I sometimes miss seeing projects through to “go live,” being the go-to guy or gal who's got the knowledge but the reward of consulting is the constant flow of fresh tech, new people, and challenges.
Conclusion: Thriving as a Consultant
The secret to consulting? Adapt quickly, learn continuously, and always bring your A-game. With the right preparation and a readiness to jump in, you’ll make a mark from day one. Each assignment is an opportunity to grow, make an impact, and stay ahead in ever-evolving industries. Embrace the thrill—it’s what makes consulting such an adventure!
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