There comes a point in most organisations where something just isn’t working. A programme slips. A project stalls. Strategy loses momentum. And someone says, “Maybe we need to bring in a management consultant.”
It’s a fair question – but, why would you?
Let’s look at what a management consultant actually does, and how to know whether it’s the right move for your situation or project.
[source: https://caseinterview.com/management-consultant]
What does a management consultant actually do?
Management consultants can help organisations solve problems, while also improving performance and delivering change more effectively.
That might mean:
- Helping a programme get back on track
- Supporting a procurement strategy that’s stuck in first gear
- Providing focused delivery support when internal teams are stretched
- Bringing structure and clarity to a complex transformation
In short, they’re there to offer experienced, external thinking – and help get things moving again.
5 signs you might need a management consultant
If you’re wondering whether it’s time to bring someone in, here are a few signs to look for.
1. You’re struggling to deliver a project at scale
Big programmes can quickly overwhelm small teams. Consultants with experience in delivery can help set structure, pace and realistic expectations – and help avoid the usual bottleneck (and even help to overcome more unique hindrances).
2. You need specialist expertise
Sometimes you don’t need another pair of hands. You just need someone who’s done this before. Whether it’s procurement, transformation, or delivery assurance, an independent consultant can slot in quickly without much of a learning curve.
3. You’re too close to the problem
In fact, Internal teams often know too much and have too many cooks in the kitchen – and that makes it harder to spot the obvious fixes. External consultants bring a neutral perspective that can challenge internal assumptions while cutting through potential internal politics or stalled decisions.
4. You’re wasting time reinventing the wheel
Sometimes, there isn’t any need to build absolutely everything from scratch. A consultant will often come with templates, tools and a library of lessons learned from similar projects – saving everyone time and effort in the process.
5. There’s no one driving the change
When everyone’s busy keeping the lights on, who’s keeping the project moving? Consultants can take that pressure off, while giving your team the space to focus on what matters most… the project.
What kind of consultant do you actually need?
Not all consultants are the same. While some often focus purely on strategy, others will work side-by-side with delivery teams, where some of them are embedded long-term, and others are short-term placements for that final push.
For most mid-sized UK organisations – and especially in the public sector – the sweet spot tends to be:
- Independent consultants with hands-on delivery experience
- Flexible enough to adapt to context, but focused on outcomes
- Comfortable stepping in without making a big song and dance about it
A good consultant asks more questions than they answer at the start. They listen first. If they’re already selling you a solution in the first meeting, it’s worth asking why.
Is it worth the cost?
Let’s be honest – consultants aren’t cheap. But neither is failing to deliver. Or spending six months heading in the wrong direction.
The real value is in pace, clarity and progress and if a consultant helps you avoid one bad decision or gets you to the right outcome faster, that’s usually money well spent.
Final thoughts
If things are working fine, you may not need a consultant. But if there are signs that the wheels are starting to come off – or you’re spending too long deciding what to do next – it might be worth getting some help from a management consultant.
Not to take over, but just to help you get it done.