Consulting – Method Description
Short Description
Consulting is a structured advisory approach used to analyze organizational needs, identify improvement opportunities, and develop practical solutions for implementing, maintaining, or improving management systems.
Key Information
| Category | Value |
|---|---|
| Area | Management Systems |
| Type | Supportive / Advisory Approach |
| Risk | Medium |
| Effort | Medium to High |
| Participants | Management, consultants, process owners, cross-functional teams |
| Use Case | Management system development, process improvement, compliance support |
Purpose
The purpose of consulting is to provide expert knowledge and structured guidance for developing and improving effective management systems.
It supports organizations in identifying gaps, fulfilling relevant requirements, defining suitable actions, and implementing sustainable improvements.
When to Use This Method
Consulting is typically used in the following situations:
- When implementing a new management system
- When improving an existing management system
- When preparing for audits or certification
- When internal knowledge or resources are limited
- During organizational or major process changes
Preconditions
Before starting consulting, the following should be available:
- Clearly defined objectives and consulting scope
- Commitment and support from management
- Access to relevant processes, data, and documentation
- Involvement of relevant process owners and stakeholders
How to Apply This Method?
Define the Consulting Scope
Identify the objectives, affected areas, expected results, and boundaries of the consulting project.
Analyze the Current Situation
Review existing processes, responsibilities, documentation, performance, and management-system structures.
Identify Gaps and Improvement Areas
Compare the current situation with organizational objectives, standards, customer requirements, and applicable regulations.
Develop Suitable Solutions
Define practical recommendations and improvement measures based on the organization’s specific needs.
Create an Action Plan
Assign responsibilities, priorities, resources, deadlines, and measurable objectives.
Support Implementation
Guide process owners and employees during the implementation of the agreed actions.
Monitor and Review
Evaluate implementation progress and verify whether the intended results have been achieved.
Tips for Effective Use
- Define clear and measurable objectives
- Ensure active management involvement
- Involve relevant process owners and employees
- Focus on practical, organization-specific solutions
- Regularly monitor the implementation of agreed actions
Outputs
- Assessment of the current situation
- Identified gaps, risks, and improvement opportunities
- Practical recommendations and improvement measures
- Structured action and implementation plan
Example
Scenario: ISO 9001 management-system implementation
Issue: Processes and responsibilities are not clearly defined
Cause: Limited internal management-system knowledge and a lack of structured documentation
Action: Analyze the existing processes, identify gaps, define responsibilities, and develop a structured implementation plan for the quality management system.