Businesses ranging from major corporations to local small businesses rely on other professionals to help them in various ways.
In addition to accountants and attorneys, a business may retain the services of an implementation consultant and/or a business analyst.
These two professions may share certain similarities, but significant differences exist. A business analyst looks at various aspects of a business’ operations and makes assessments. Implementation consultants step in and help execute a project. Six clear differences highlight the distinctions between these two jobs.
1. Analysts Frequently Deal with Hypothetical
Businesses often examine “what if” scenarios. Business forecasting sometimes involves looking at the best and worst scenarios capable of playing out over the next year.
Analysts can examine hypotheticals and offer assessments. Someone involved with implementations deals with concrete projects and carries them out.
2. Implementation Could Require Devising a Solution
Scores of problems may inhibit progress when trying to run a business. A business analyst might locate the problem, but wouldn’t be responsible for fixing it.
An implementation consultant carries out actual work, which might entail coming up with and performing solutions. No one should expect any project comes with the potential for no problems or unwanted issues.
Implementation pros know roadblocks emerge. Implementation professionals do run into problems while carrying out a project. Such consultants do more than analyze the problems. They figure out ways to overcome them. Otherwise, the project could stall.
3. An Implementation Consultant May be required to Show Value
Doing “Y” may lead to “X.” Implementation consultants might need to prove to their clients their plans lead to particular value. For example, revealing how certain work on an IT system improves data security displays value. Without showing a potential derived value, a client might not agree with the consultant’s plans.
Knowing how to spell out obvious value supports the consultant’s goal to receive a proverbial “green light” on the implementation plan.
4. Implementation Consultants Might Rely on Expanded Knowledge
In the IT world, consultants for implementation wouldn’t be too functional without “cross-domain knowledge.” Possessing varied knowledge becomes necessary because so many different integrated components tie into IT projects.
Without a clear understanding of the specific purposes and functions of these components, the consultant might not be able to effectively carry out the job. Those hiring someone to handle implementation surely don’t want to see a job botched either.
5. The Consultant Eyes the Budget
Since anyone involved with implementation handles a specific project, he/she oversees something directly costing a business money. Projects come with overhead and personnel-related expenses. Managing a project effectively involves keeping it on budget. Overruns might not even be affordable to a company. So, consultants must be quite careful about finishing a job timely and on budget.
6. Implementation Can Necessitate Follow-Up Work
Consultants on implementation may still be “on call” after a project reaches completion. Again, issues and problems might arise that require attention. The professional who handled the execution of the project could be contacted for additional assistance on the project after an official completion. Perhaps a second job could derive from basic follow-up inquiries.
