"The relationship between clients and consulting companies is similar to the relationship between parties and lawyers in legal affairs."
In economically developed countries and regions, there is close cooperation between customers and consulting partners. Before the start of the project, the consulting company will fully communicate with the customer, and after fully understanding or * * * formulating the strategic intention and business development direction of the customer, plan the project plan and steps with the customer. In this process, in addition to various institutions and personnel within the customer, it usually involves all aspects of partners and software and hardware suppliers. Accenture's approach is to always be an objective and neutral third party, fully represent the interests of customers, manage projects scientifically and effectively, and assume corresponding responsibilities. At the same time, it is also responsible for keeping the sensitive information of customers strictly confidential. In some respects, the relationship between clients and consulting firms is similar to that between clients and lawyers in legal affairs: clients trust lawyers, while lawyers fully serve the interests of clients.
At present, in China, it is still difficult for consulting companies and customers to quickly reach full communication and trust in the true sense. The "consultant" role of consulting companies is often superficially understood as just making suggestions or opinions. In fact, the real value of world-renowned consulting companies lies in the experience and ability of project management and comprehensive project implementation accumulated through long-term service for leading institutions in various industries around the world. This will play a key role in ensuring the overall success of customers' large-scale complex projects and making the project investment produce corresponding benefits in their subsequent operations.
In order to make this experience and ability really work, Accenture attaches great importance to participating in the actual work of customers. A complex large-scale project can be completed not only by relying on methodology, several experts and several documents, but also by the full cooperation of customers, consulting companies and other participants at all levels. The weakness or mistake of any link may lead to the failure of the whole project. Therefore, Accenture usually forms a "mixed" team with customers, and all levels of work related to the project are jointly carried out by both parties. In addition to participating in specific work, consultants can also help clients master and apply international advanced working methods at all levels. This has achieved a comprehensive "knowledge transfer" from consulting companies to customers, which not only helps customers successfully complete the project work itself, but also helps customers enhance their ability of sustainable development.
"Project management is the core and soul of consulting, and the internal expert network is a strong support for consultants."
Project management is extremely important. Especially for large-scale projects with an investment of tens of millions or even hundreds of millions of yuan, successful project management is the core and soul of the whole project, and all levels of project work should be incorporated into a scientific management system. Accenture has a project management system that has been accumulated over the years. For the management of large-scale complex projects, there is a simple framework, which mainly includes:
Organizational arrangement: establish unified standardized management regulations, work processes, technical platforms and norms;
Demand management: establish a comprehensive work plan, so that all work is carried out around the overall goal of the project to avoid fragmentation and repeated investment;
Risk management: discover possible problems in the project as soon as possible and establish a complete risk control and prevention mechanism;
Quality management: integrating quality management principles, control processes, tools and personnel settings;
Schedule management: at all stages of the project, pay attention to the relevance and coordination of each work and check the project milestones;
Resource management: according to the overall requirements of the project, rationally allocate all kinds of human resources and other resources inside and outside the project;
Procurement management: coordinate the software and hardware suppliers and other partners involved in the project and manage their service quality;
Contract management: the scope of work covers the planning, negotiation, signing, alteration, review and termination of various contracts related to the project;
Financial management: establish and implement a perfect project financial planning, control and reporting system;
Performance analysis and report: establish a performance index system covering the whole life cycle of the project to ensure that the system delivered by the project can meet the overall target requirements.
It should be emphasized that consultants will never mechanically implement the contents in this framework when assisting clients in project management. Based on my rich experience and Accenture's internal expert network, combined with relevant management tools and various case bases, especially the specific environment of the project, I work flexibly and pragmatically.
Through more communication with domestic customers, the consulting company not only provides consulting for domestic customers, but also further enriches its practical experience in China. The world can change China, and China can also change the world.