Professional Services Consulting
Professional services are the methodical, consultative advice, knowledge, and services provided by an organization. Most “product” companies, including hardware and software vendors, provide certain services to ensure maximum customer satisfaction with the product purchased. Keep in mind that a “product” can be a service.
Consulting is providing subject matter expertise, knowledge, experience, and advice to help someone do something. For example, a professional services organization (PSO) for a software company will provide expertise to help the clients/customers implement the software quickly and effectively, and for the most value.
From years of experience, most PSOs are striving for the following:
An organization that provides professional services usually has more than one employee. Therefore, there is a need to ensure that the services are high quality, consistent (from one individual, or partner, to another), trainable, and repeatable. Much easier said than done.
An organization needs to have a structured approach, or loosely defined as methodology, for delivering services. Not surprising, I apply a BPM approach to professional services.
After having created, implemented and improved professional services life cycle methodologies in five organizations, internationally, the methodology is critical to achieve significant results.
The results obtained for these organizations have included the following.
Consulting is providing subject matter expertise, knowledge, experience, and advice to help someone do something. For example, a professional services organization (PSO) for a software company will provide expertise to help the clients/customers implement the software quickly and effectively, and for the most value.
From years of experience, most PSOs are striving for the following:
- Better integration with sales
- Rapid assessment of customer business situation
- Position and sell larger bundled deals and add-on business
- Reduce costs, improve processes, operations, and productivity
- Benchmark data to compare, validate, and measure performance
- Logical, phased road map to achieve the desired goals and objectives
- Measurable results and savings
- Unbiased, independent, and proven advice.
An organization that provides professional services usually has more than one employee. Therefore, there is a need to ensure that the services are high quality, consistent (from one individual, or partner, to another), trainable, and repeatable. Much easier said than done.
An organization needs to have a structured approach, or loosely defined as methodology, for delivering services. Not surprising, I apply a BPM approach to professional services.
After having created, implemented and improved professional services life cycle methodologies in five organizations, internationally, the methodology is critical to achieve significant results.
The results obtained for these organizations have included the following.
Actual Results Achieved
Professional Services Life Cycle Methodology
My methodology, or framework, includes the phases and content, as shown. The phases include activities and steps or tasks to be done in specific situations, along with tools and templates to ensure consistency and productivity.