Choosing

Finding the right person involves two stages;
1. Getting things agreed at your end
2. Selecting the right person for the job

1. Getting things right at your end

• Involve the relevant people.
• Provide a brief, be clear about the outcomes you are seeking
• Agree a realistic timescale
• Agree a clear review process, including how often you meet
• Agree the budget for the work

2. Selecting the right person

• Use your own networks to identify potential consultants
• Check consultants’ websites for evidence of relevant experience
• Invite expressions of interest
• Invite suitable candidates to attend an interview and make a presentation
• Confirm who will actually carry out the work
• Confirm that they are able to deliver to your timescale

Selection Criteria

• Relevant experience
• Price
• Experience and general quality of the team/individual
• Quality of the proposal, does it address the key issues in the brief?

Groundwork

The quality of the work depends to some extent on the availability of information
from the client e.g. local contacts. Be honest about the quality and availability
of this information.

Communication during the period when the work is being carried out is very important.
Regular team meetings or briefing sessions will help ensure the project progresses
as a partnership, an atmosphere of mutual trust and respect is the objective.

Remember, you own the process and outcomes.