When Does Your Organization Need a Consultant?

Not every challenge requires a consultant. Sometimes an organization needs another staff member, a stronger internal process, more funding, or simply time to work through an issue. 

But there are also times when outside support makes sense. 

A consultant can also be useful when an organization needs: 

• Specialized expertise for a specific project or issue 

• Additional capacity without adding a permanent staff position 

• Research, analysis, or strategy to inform a major decision 

• An outside perspective on a challenge the organization has been working through internally 

• Facilitation to help a board, coalition, staff, or group work through decisions 

• Project management to coordinate multiple people, priorities, and deadlines 

• A defined product, such as a strategic plan, policy agenda, report, toolkit, communications strategy, or implementation plan 

The key is understanding the gap you are trying to fill. 

If the need is ongoing and central to daily operations, hiring staff may make more sense. If the need is specialized, time-limited, project-based, or requires an outside perspective, a consultant may be a better fit. In some cases, the right model is a combination of both. 

A good consulting relationship should also do more than produce a deliverable. The work should strengthen the organization’s ability to make decisions, carry out its priorities, or move an important project forward. 

Knowing when to ask for outside support is part of good organizational planning. Chase Gen Strategy Consultants provides flexible support across strategy and planning, research and policy, communications, engagement, project management, and design. If your organization has a project that needs additional capacity or expertise, connect with us to talk through what support might make sense.