Assignment management

Reports to the client

The reports given to the client at various points of the consulting process were discussed in Chapters 7 to 11, and general principles of effective report writing are set out in Appendix 7.

Assignment reference report

This report, called the “assignment summary” by some consultants, and prepared at the end of an operating assignment, is a very useful piece of information, which makes it unnecessary to read detailed client reports for single facts on past assignments. In addition, it contains comments on the possibilities of further work with the client, and provides an input into the firm’s knowledge management. The report should include information on the points listed in box 31.2.

Box 31.2 Assignment reference report – a checklist

1.Client company name and address

2.Assigner’s name and title

3.Nature and size of client organization

4.Operating function of the assignment

5.Names of members of the consulting team

6.Dates of start and finish

7.Brief summary of objectives and results, what was new and creative in this assignment

8.References to all reports and documents that give details of the assignment

9.Feedback from the client on assignment quality and results (reply to a questionnaire and any other feedback)

10.Rating of the quality of the assignment by the consulting firm

–above standard

–standard

–below standard

11.Rating of the value of the assignment for future reference

–excellent

–average

–not to be used

12.Whether the client has agreed that the consulting firm may use him or her as a reference to prospective clients (if the rating was excellent or average)

13.Suggested future assignment opportunities that should be pursued with the same client, and what should be kept in mind in negotiating new business with him or her

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