Bruce Radcliffe Wilson
A CONSULTING SKILLS PRIMER:
You've been hired to analyze and recommend a solution to your client's opportunity or situation, and you need to quickly produce a well-organized report.
How do you prepare a logical, clear, fully understandable solution without having to "reinvent the wheel", and make yourself the "go-to" resource for your client?
This important article tells you what you need to know to effectively document a problem for your client ( . . . for maximum benefit to you!).
Case Analysis is your "magic wand" to transport you into the world of efficient problem-solving.
(Templates and examples are available)
You must always include an Executive Summary. Your boss will not be happy if she has to waste valuable time reading through an entire report to get to the idea.
This section must NEVER be more than one page in length.
A single paragraph overview of the basic situation causing concern and leading to this Case Analysis.
A single statement of the solution, but not the detail of the principles, the problem or the solution. This statement must match the Central Problem discussed within in the body of the Analysis.
Discuss the issues facing the organization.
Itemize the symptoms that are bothersome to the agency, and why they are troublesome.
Include any evidence, statistics or facts that quantify your concern.
Write a series of sentences or paragraphs detailing each.
Identify and discuss the problem that must be solved.
Avoid selecting a “symptom” instead of the true problem.
The most effective way to state the Central Problem is through a question that begins with “How can we . . .”
Itemize the consequences that will befall the organization if nothing is done to correct the problem.
These should not be alarmist, but stated in a sober, businesslike way.
Include Timing and/or Economic Factors if you are able to Estimate or Calculate Them
Provide a list of no more than five qualities or conditions that must be met in order for a solution to be acceptable.
Briefly describe two to four possible solutions that might solve the problem
Be direct and succinct, thorough and objective. Do Not present these alternative solutions in negative terms. Remain objective and trust that the boss can understand without being “sold”.
Be honest and objective or you will do yourself more harm than good.
List the advantages and disadvantages of each of these alternative solutions is not the best solution.
Identify and discuss your single solution.
How it will address each of the major relevant issues you identified earlier in the paper.
What are the disadvantages of implementing this solution?
What are the risks (Different from disadvantages) that the company faces in adopting this recommendation?
12 Point, Times Roman, Arial or Helvetica font.
Single-spaced within paragraph.
Double-spaced between paragraphs.
Center- Bottom Pagination on all but the first page.
All margins = 1”.
No more than ten single spaced pages of text for the whole report.
Clear concise, business writing. Objective position, No emotion.
Short paragraphs, each presenting a single idea; each paragraph should contain no more than 6 lines of text.
Use graphs, tables, spreadsheets or charts wherever they will add clarity.
Sound business style.
Do not use “fancy” prose, jokes, sarcasm, slang or profanity.
Bruce Radcliffe Wilson is a retired adjunct professor of marketing at California State University at Sacramento, where he served as the Faculty Advisor to Beta Gamma Sigma, the International Honor ...
