| The most commonly mentioned problem | | | | be projects where much of the work is done in |
| associated with hiring an IT consultant are | | | | the consultant's office or in the field. |
| complaints about “extra” fees. This is a | | | | IT consultants working at the business location |
| valid concern and has resulted in projects poorly | | | | complain they receive more work over and |
| done or not completed and creates anger on both | | | | above what they agreed to. This is usually |
| sides of the partnership. The problem is most | | | | caused by a business owner not clearly specifying |
| often one of misunderstanding or perception and | | | | who the consultant is to report to. In a busy |
| can be avoided with open communication prior to | | | | office it is not unusual for several department |
| and throughout the project. | | | | managers to approach the consultant and ask for |
| You may negotiate on fees with a consultant | | | | something to be added to the project or for |
| before contracting for the services or he may be | | | | additional reports to be generated. This |
| willing to look at your needs and submit a | | | | increases the scope of the job and is the same |
| customized bid. If the work to be done is | | | | as asking the consultant to donate his time. |
| variable and may change during the project it is | | | | Business owners complain consultants try to |
| good to add that possibility to the contract at the | | | | charge more than agreed. It's the other side of |
| beginning. If there are travel expenses involved | | | | the same problem. If it is necessary to add |
| you might set a per diem limit and require | | | | tasks to the project, negotiate the change by |
| receipts and reports or your contract may state | | | | asking to amend the contract. Don’t |
| that you are not responsible for any expenses of | | | | increase the job or let others in your business add |
| the job except the fee you will be paying. | | | | to the project without expecting to pay for it. If |
| The most common disagreement regarding fees | | | | the job is growing into a larger project than the |
| is caused by "job creep" and the complaints come | | | | expert contracted to provide he may well expect |
| from both the business owner and the | | | | to add additional fees to cover the additional |
| consultant. Ideally, the requirements of the work | | | | hours. A clear agreement in the beginning can |
| are defined in the contract. Once the contract | | | | save your project in the end. |
| is signed, that is the money to be paid and that is | | | | Treat the IT consultant as the expert he is and |
| the definition of the consultant's obligation to | | | | create a working relationship as one professional |
| you. Consulting jobs may require the expert to | | | | to another. You’ll get more for your money |
| be on the business premises every day or may | | | | and avoid problems. |