Consulting is probably the most valuable service I can offer you. You project requirements are probably quite unique, and there may only be one, maybe two optimal solutions. So how do you know the best platform, technology, or direction to take? All those questions fall under our IT Consulting Services.
Like many things related to custom software, IT Consulting is more involved than it first appears. To be a really good consultant, you need to possess certain traits. I've listed a few of them below.
Ask The Right Questions
Consulting, like much of software development, is like solving a puzzle. To solve the puzzle, you need to put the pieces in the right position. To figure out where the pieces go, you need to ask questions. Some questions provide no value, while others allow you to zero in the position of the piece on the puzzle. Software consulting is similar. To get the best answers, I need to ask the best questions.
Be A Good Listener
Once I've asked the right questions, I need to then be a good listener. It's a lost art, believe me. By listening to your answers and understanding your answers, I'm able to gather the most useful information to help you. In reality, I'm taking the information you provide and processing it (i.e. running it through the patented "Rob Hopper"), but that's how I grow to understand your unique problem.
Confirm The Obvious
Have you ever said something only to be surprised that your words were taken wrong? Our brains work a little differently, and often times the same words just mean something different to someone else. The only way I've figured out to address this problem is to never fail to confirm the obvious. As I'm listening to your answers, I like to confirm what you meant, to avoid any confusion down the road.
Brainstorm
Right about now the data is streaming out of the "Rob Hopper". In other words, the light bulb for your unique problem is starting to come on in my head. And this is when we start brainstorming, throwing ideas around. Of course, I also rely on my experience, wisdom, (charm, personality, good looks - 1 out of 3 isn't bad, right?) to come up with the best solutions to your problem.
In all of the above, one thing should be crystal clear. Communication is critical. The more complex your project is, the more critical communication becomes. It makes a lot of sense if you think about it. If we cannot communicate at a high level (due to language barriers, for example), there is no way we are going to get to that Zen place where we both share the same vision.
Provide Practical Advice
If money were no object, my job would be a lot easier. But in reality, we all have to live with budgets. The advice I provide has to fit within your specific requirements, which probably involves time, money, and even technology selection. You need good advice, but you also need practical advice.
Areas of Expertise
My wife might think I'm a genius (please don't tell her the truth), but in reality my areas of expertise are somewhat limited. For example, if you need advice on how to beat the odds in Las Vegas, I'm not your guy. Sorry, I don't gamble. But I can help you with just about anything related to custom software, including the following:
- Picking the appropriate software technology for your situation
- Clear up questions about web, desktop or mobile technologies
- Selecting the best hardware platform, given your budget
- Defining your custom software requirements
- Helping you plan and manage the entire project
- Selecting the best database technology