ICT consultants can deliver a database or website, or help with planning, fundraising, a merger or a new community building. They will bring specialist expertise and offer an outsider’s perspective. They may also help with ongoing needs, such as IT support.

• Always work with colleagues to prepare a brief.
• Be realistic about budgets, timescales and the demands this project will place on your own time.
• Focus on the outcomes you want to achieve and the problems you want to solve.
• Seek recommendations in your networks and ask at least three people to submit a tender.
• Review responses with your colleagues, hold interviews, follow up references and select.
• Before starting check the brief with the successful contractor in detail. Make sure you all agree and understand what is required.
• Be clear about who is doing what – have you understood the commitment on your side to ensure the project is a success?
• Agree a process for reviewing progress. Regular contact helps identify and rectify problems before they happen.
• Once delivered review the project with colleagues.

Find out more at this website:

www.ictknowledgebase.org.uk/usingconsultants