Front Range Systems Blog

What to look for in a business consultant

Written by Matt Dixon | Nov 14, 2016 7:51:00 PM

The software development industry lacks an official process for bringing in new programmers and helping them establish and grow in their careers. Learning and training are up to individuals and their respective organization, and each organization has its own methods.

While some of the methods may be effective, others could benefit from outside help. This is where a good software development consultant comes in.

Choosing a consultant to work with is perhaps one of the most important decisions you’ll ever make in your career. With constantly evolving technology, it’s crucial for developers to stay up-to-date on the latest trends and to continually learn throughout their careers.

Whether you’re looking to teach your team new skills or simply keep them sharp, the quality of the consultant is vital. Here are some qualifications to keep in mind when selecting a consultant:

  • Technical knowledge—You need software development experts who possess the ability to dive deep but who have also worked on a variety of projects, making their knowledge and experience vast.
  • Flexibility—The best consultants integrate well into your existing team; to do this, they must be flexible and open to new experiences.
  • Integrity—You shouldn’t have to worry about receiving what you pay for or the quality of services. Find someone who treats their clients with honesty and integrity no matter what.

The Best Ways to Learn from a Consultant

Sometimes one-on-one is the best method for training developers. Other times, group sessions work best. Here are three different ways to get the most out of your consultants.

Mentorship

Mentorship is simply the most effective way to reach developers at every stage in their careers. It offers a personalized approach that works to increase effectiveness, skill level, and industry know-how.

Group Training

Classroom training is beneficial if you’re looking to help your whole team sharpen their skills. It’s just as in-depth as mentoring but provides an atmosphere that may be less intimidating to some members. It also lets you spend less time training and still achieve great results.

Custom Training

It may be necessary to work with consultants on a customized training program. If nothing your consulting team offers seems to be what your organization needs, don’t feel afraid to ask for a customized solution.

Consulting at Front Range Systems

At Front Range Systems, we offer everything you need to keep your organization’s software development team top-notch. Reach out to us now to learn more.