Technology consulting comes in a variety of forms, from project management to technical consulting, but one thing remains true no matter what industry you’re in: most traditional contracts are for between three months to a year of full-time on-site consulting. While “traditional” IT consulting works perfectly well for many projects, sometimes both external and internal factors require the flexibility of a nontraditional approach. Here are just a few ways in which nontraditional technology consulting can fit your specific needs.
6. Not Every Contract Needs to be Long Term
While many projects in Higher Ed IT take several months or even years to come to fruition, that does not necessarily mean that a specific consultant will be needed for every step of the way. When a task requires special training or expertise but will only take a few weeks to a month of work, a short-term technology consultant can help you save money by getting the job done within an appropriate amount of time.
5. Not Every Technology Consultant Needs to be Full-Time
Contrary to what some might think, taking on a part-time consultant will not inherently affect the quality or results of their work. Many talented individuals work part-time professionally! When trying to fill a position that won’t amount to enough work to make hiring someone full-time cost effective, you should consider hiring a consultant part-time.
4. Not Every Consultant Needs to be On-Site
Even though New England is home to some of the most prominent universities in the US, talented technology consultants with experience in Higher Ed can come from almost anywhere. If the position you are trying to fill doesn’t need to be on-site, a remote technology consultant could help you save money on your project without you having to skimp on quality. Also, if you need to find a consultant and have them get to work as soon as possible, expanding your search outside of your immediate area can help you find the person best suited for the job much more quickly.
3. Not Every Consultant Needs to be Senior-Level
When it comes to senior technology professionals, their time is best served performing tasks that require their specific levels of expertise and knowledge. For example, a senior IT project manager should spend time on planning, communication, and risk mitigation, rather than on organizing meeting notes and updating their issues database. You could potentially save a significant amount of money by hiring a junior project management consultant to work alongside the senior-level PM and ensure that their skills don’t go to waste. To top it all off, that junior consultant will get the experience they need to progress in their careers, making it a win-win situation all around.
2. Not Every Consultant Needs to be Paid Hourly
While most technology consultants are paid an hourly rate, that payment structure may not be efficient for every task or project. Sometimes, value-based consulting can produce better results for a project with strict deadlines. Paying for a finished product rather than at an hourly rate encourages the consultant in question to find the most efficient route to complete the task on time, which can save you money in the long run.
1. Consulting Can Be on an As-Needed Basis
If you need help on a specific task or want advice for an upcoming project, you don’t necessarily need to commit to hiring an IT contractor. Consulting on retainer is useful for when you need a quick answer to a question or want to speak to someone with experience in the project you’re working on. Depending on your problem, this form of consulting could save you a great deal of money compared to hiring the consultant for a year-long contract, and if you end up needing more help, you can always take that consultant on to your project after you’ve worked with them on an as-needed basis.
Although full-time on-site technology consulting is often the best option, the added flexibility of nontraditional consulting can be incredibly helpful when you have specific requirements that must be met. At Optimal Partners, we pride ourselves on our ability to find the perfect fit for your IT consulting needs, no matter how unique the job description is. If you’re looking for a trusted technology consultant with extensive experience in Higher Ed, feel free to review our available consultants now!
Avoid costly mistakes and wasted time – talk to an impartial peer in Higher Ed!
There is nothing like speaking with a peer who has implemented the same product – send us a request.
You can also provide general feedback, inquire about additional free resources, submit a topic you’d like us to cover, tell us about a feature you’d like to see, or request the best staff for your project.