Effective Collaboration with Technical Consultants

By laying the groundwork for effective partnership with external technical partners, you can better leverage their skills and resources to drive successful outcomes for your projects.

Understanding the Role of Technical Consultants

External technical consultants play a crucial role in helping organizations navigate and overcome complex challenges. Their expertise and specialized domain knowledge can provide valuable insights and capabilities that may not be available internally. But much like any new initiative, in order to realize a successful outcome, it’s important to take certain steps in order to enjoy a successful collaboration. 

In addition to their technical expertise and knowledge of industry best practices, technical consultants also bring a fresh perspective to the issue at hand. They have gained experience & knowledge from working with a variety of organizations and industries. They'll ask you probing questions about your business in order to understand your perspective on the issue at hand. The curiosity fostered by their outsider's perspective is integral to their ability to generate workable solutions to your specific issues.

Technical Consultants vs Implementation Partners

One important thing to consider is whether you need someone to give you advice on how to do something, or need someone to be more hands-on, helping you do something. There are many different flavors of technical consultants; some are more operational, some are more tactical. Some are perfect for a 50,000 foot view of your situation, helping advise you through it from a distance. Some are better down on the ground with you, working side by side with your team to build something together. At Komodo, we often talk about our role being less of a Consultancy and more of an “Implementation Partner” because the projects we take on tend to involve not just advice and guidance, but hands-on development and data analysis. Think about the needs of your situation and the abilities of your internal team, and select the external partner that compliments your business best. 

Establish Clear Communications

No project will succeed without clear communication. At the onset of your project, establish guidelines for communication expectations and channels to ensure that everyone is on the same page and can collaborate effectively. 

Regular check-ins are essential throughout the collaboration process. Will you have regular weekly meetings? Will they be in-person, or via video conference? Is email the best way to share ideas, or should you set up a dedicated Slack or Teams channel? Decide what works best and will be most efficient for both parties. 

Also be sure to set expectations regarding response times and availability. Agree on a reasonable timeframe for responding to inquiries, and warn each other of potential conflicts or limitations that may affect communication. This will limit the risk of miscommunication and ensure that both sides are doing their best to ensure the smooth flow of information. 

Setting Clear Goals

From the very start of this collaboration, be clear & explicit about the specific challenges that need to be addressed. Clearly define the area in which you need assistance. Articulate the goals, the desired outcomes, and the expected deliverables of this partnership. This will ensure that everyone’s time is being used effectively, and that both parties are aligned on working towards the same end state. 

It’s also important to establish realistic timelines and milestones for the project. Collaborate with the consultants to create a project plan that documents the key deadlines and check-ins, so that you can make sure the project is moving along with the appropriate speed and urgency. Be realistic about the availability of your internal resources and the other demands on their attention. Consultants often need to spend time learning from and working with some of your internal stakeholders. Are there upcoming projects that will affect your team’s availability? Make sure that the project timeline makes sense for everyone involved.

Leverage Each Other’s Expertise

You know your business better than anyone. Be open in sharing your domain expertise and insights with the consultants. The better understanding they have of the issues you face, the more targeted and useful their insights will be. 

Similarly, allow your consultants to share their insights and ideas with you. They can see things from a fresh perspective as outsiders, having not been drilled into a “this is just the way it is” attitude that can set in at any company. By actively involving them in your decision-making process, you can recognize more value from their specialized knowledge and skills. A truly successful collaboration will not only result in better outcomes for your business, but also create a learning opportunity for both parties.

Resolve Conflicts and Provide Feedback

Regularly monitor the progress of the collaboration, and provide feedback to the consultants. This ensures that any issues or challenges can be addressed in a timely manner. Encourage open and honest communication, to foster deeper collaboration and continuous improvement throughout the project. 

Conflicts and misunderstandings may arise during any collaboration, so it's important to address them constructively. Approach disagreements with an open mind and a willingness to find a resolution that benefits both parties. Listen actively to understand the concerns and perspectives of all team members involved. Encourage open dialogue and brainstorming sessions to find creative solutions. Remember that conflicts are opportunities for growth and improvement.

Finally, regularly evaluate the collaboration and its outcomes. Provide constructive feedback to the consultants, and encourage them to provide feedback on the collaboration process. Assess the effectiveness of the process, the quality and utility of the deliverables and the overall impact on your projects. Use this feedback to improve future collaborations.

If you want to explore the possibility of collaborating with Komodo Technologies on your next project, get in touch to set up a free 30-minute consultation.