Have you ever reflected on your growth as a consultant? Have you quantified the value of your consulting services to your clients?

Here’s a quick assessment to measure your professional development.

Resources for the Assessment

• IMC USA Code of Ethics
• IMC USA’s Competence Framework and Certification Scheme for CMC®

Consulting Assessment Questions

1. I am a management consultant with __ years of experience in the profession; include a concise description of your consulting services, market sectors, and client demographics.
2. Describe your value to your clients & include an example from your business.

• 1 pt – Solves technical / tactical problems.
• 2 pts – Recommends & structures solutions based on client needs.
• 3 pts -Sought by & considered a partner by executives. Long-term engagements & retainer relationships.

3. Describe your level of expertise & include an example from your business

• 1 pt – Provides technical skills/experience to a project, developing skills defined by the Competence Framework.
• 2 pts – Secures, designs, & manages small consulting projects: practices skills consistent with Competence Framework.
• 3 pts – Can secure, design, & manage large, complex, team-based consulting projects; meets highest international standards of competence, Competence Framework.

4. Describe typical project scope and include an example from your business.

• 1 pt – Narrow specialty/tech discipline or industry
• 2 pts – Multiple industries & disciplines
• 3 pts – Creates innovative approaches across multiple industries & disciplines.

5. My organizational focus is serving clients; include an example from your business.

• 1 pt – Tactical support to middle managers
• 2 pts – General business advice to managers & executives
• 3 pts – Broad strategic advice to senior managers & executives/Board of Directors

6. I am committed to excelling in the profession of management consulting; include a narrative about the value for your clients.

• 1 pt – May belong to technical and/or trade associations & IMC USA. May not subscribe to a formal code of ethics.
• 2 pts – IMC USA certified member bound to IMC USA Code of Ethics.
• 3 pts – IMC USA certified member bound to IMC USA Code of Ethics. Actively contributes to profession.

Share Your Results

Feel free to share your assessment results in the comments below. If you are interested in a follow-up conversation and the possibility of drafting an article for the IMC USA Newsletter based on your assessment, please contact Loraine Huchler, PE, CMC®, FIMC, Chair, IMC USA Academy, [email protected], 609-865-8151 (cell).