120 words to each discussion ( Only 2 Discussion )

1 to 2 references

Discussion 1

1. What is the difference between a consultant and a project manager?

Consultants are multi-focus experts, which helps them to do better planning, decision making, and long-term goal achievements and often provide expertise in an area that is not represented by the organization. Project Manager is to be more of a focused person, who leads the project, providing oversight of the work, and implementing a framework that guides / direct how that work is successfully accomplished.

2. Explain why are consultants not great project manager?

It is very evident that managerial skill is a vital skill to have and improve upon. From the first commencement, gathering information until the final delivery requires a plan that is flexible enough to incorporate all the changes necessary for a fruitful engagement. Planning reduces the risk and makes the engagement progress smoothly. A lack of the required project management skills and poor plan of action will lead a consultant (with all great expertise in the subject) to leave them chaotic and stressful, so all consultants are not great project managers.

3. What are the differences in the deliverables between a consultant and project manager?

It is very important for a consultant to convert the findings, recommendations, or any other output into a deliverable format (deliverables). It is also important to start noting and drafting the deliverables as soon as from the start of the engagement. Sometimes this may come handy as weaker content credibility can be enhanced or coved up with a high-quality presentation. For a project manager, it’s a more tangible action work/action item within the project. In oftentimes deliverables for a project manager is dependent on other’s (consultant’s) deliverables being completed first.

4. What skills or traits do you have personally that as a consultant would help you win work and satisfy a client?

To start with, I have very good communication and work well with others to participate in the cycle of commencing, collecting, considering, creating, counseling, and creating. Along with Consciousness, being sensible, problem-solving skills, and the ability to come up with new ideas. I do have an excellent background/understanding/knowledge, which makes me technically competent to win and satisfy the client.

Discussion 2

ANS.1 I think that a consultant’s job is to provide specialization in a specific area of a business and is not connected to overall business process of an organization structure. The consultant is hired for a short term basis to work on specific issues that a certain department of a company is facing such as increase marketing, software architecture, business process modelling etc. On the other hand, a project manager is a leader and is responsible for the overall success or failure of a project. The project manager guides his teams and implements a framework that shows how objectives need to be met and how the project can be a success.

ANS.2 There could be number of reasons why a consultant cannot be a great project manager. One of the main reasons could be that a project manager generally has great leadership skill whereas a consultant does not require the same skill. A consultant is more responsible for solving a issue and working with the team to get solutions in his limited timeframe. Current day organizations are structured in such a way that everybody’s role is divided and it is best that if they stick to their own roles in order to maximize growth for companies.

ANS.3 When a project manager is appointed for a project, he is the voice of the project and is the direct communication channel to other departments of a company, supervisors, top management etc. He executes and leads the project and answers to stakeholders and executive governance committee. On the other hand, a consultant’s deliverable could include advising the project manager or the team members on certain aspects of a project. He can have a big part for the success of the project but his deliverable do not include leading, executing or answering to other people.

ANS.4 I believe my skills in attention to detail would really work a favor in becoming a successful consultant that would help clients. I believe it is one of the most important skill that a consultant needs to possess. Consultants need to go over the facts and data and all other information as thoroughly as possible specially given that they are newcomers for the company. Also a consultant is hired to work on specific gaps that the company could not have able to fill in. So it is a very necessary skill as a consultant. Other traits that I believe could be essential for me to succeed are punctuality, communication and confidence.