Process Consulting

What is Process Consulting? Why is it so Sought After?

Process Consulting is aimed at bringing about positive change and operational effectiveness at organizations. It resolves conflicts, and makes discussion hours shorter as well as more productive. A Process Consultant’s work is meant to help, by way of meaningful intervention, a team accomplish its objectives. Such a Consultant observes a team’s functioning, and then makes recommendations about how the team can go about improving that functioning.
A Process Consultant identifies and assesses problems, involves members of the team services are offered to in designing a relevant solution to the problems identified, helps gain training that may be needed, and aids in adopting of the recommendations made.
As Process Consulting turns out to be an invaluable service in what it manages to bring about, it is definitely worth pursuing. It is not made as much use of as is desirable, and so the field has a lot of scope; there is a lot of potential in this track that must be tapped. It is a very attractive option for one aspiring to make good contributions as a leader, and feeling inclined towards taking up these responsibilities.

Qualifications for a Career in Process Consulting
For this career, the best qualification is degrees in business and management. Such training is requisite at the graduate level, though an undergraduate degree may be one centered on developing a technical skill.
A desirable approach is to hone skills and gain corporate exposure post completing an undergraduate qualification. Such experience should be built upon after acquiring an MBA from a reputed B-school. One must go for an MBA offering training in consulting, augmenting business knowledge, and enhancing leadership skills.
A good amount of experience in the consulting domain is required to gain a worthy position. Also important to be qualified enough for this position are experiences in process mapping and process optimization. A substantial amount of knowledge of process improvement principles and tools is also needed. Certifications that help develop requisite skills or provide insights into relevant areas provide sheen.

Skills for a Career in Process Consulting
People skills, and team-building skills are very important for Process Consultants. One must have the ability to understand group dynamics, and business processes. One must have the will to focus on others’ welfare and development, and the ability to work with and mentor people having different temperaments.

Engagement in Process Consulting demands the ability to remain comfortable with both change and conflict. One must be able to also resolve conflicts, and to implement different kinds of recommendations. Result-oriented approach, analytical abilities, and creative problem-solving capacity are needed. One must have the skills to take sound, well-thought-out decisions that justify carrying the immense responsibility of bringing desirable change.

Excellent skills at both oral and written communication are important for this career. Presentation skills will be quite useful too. Effective listening, targeted convincing, and consensus-building must be the strengths of one pursuing this. Skills at training people and developing them into leaders are important and as important is the possession of leadership abilities in oneself. Besides these, time management skills are crucial.

These skills, along with the right qualifications, will enable a rewarding journey as a Process Consultant. Dedication and self-motivation, of course, will be necessary for continued good contributions.

Hierarchy in Process Consulting Career
As for other fields of consulting, a top position is reached after good knowledge and experience is required.

Highly skilled individuals – as suggested by the number of requisite skills – do well in this career. After business knowledge and process understanding are gained, and command over assessing people had, a path for further growth is laid. Since there is so much potential yet to be tapped, ambitious individuals can make a great mark in the sphere.

Years of experience in practical work is required to be able to get to a position where one can advise and develop other people. It takes well-shaped thought processes and perspectives to be giving suggestions on making meetings, discussions, and work in general more productive. Updated knowledge about significant contributions and new trends can help too.

After significant experience in Process Consulting career, one can progress to higher roles that help make greater organizational impact. One can leverage one’s experience to provide more perspectives and suggestions for positive change. Thus, one can prove one’s leadership.

Pros of a Career in Process Consulting
Positively impacting productivity is a satisfying aspect. Helping team’s meet objectives is challenging yet thrilling. Transforming work to make it more productive becomes a transformational experience for the self as personal and professional maturity is achieved.

Interactions with people, observations on the way people work, and thoughts on how that work can be bettered enhance one’s thought processes and problem-solving skills, and such enhancement gets reflected in areas beyond work.

Many challenges and great learning add dynamism and vitality to work life, lending it an element of thrill. Different issues, and different types of people, from different backgrounds will compel one to come up with new and at times, creative solutions, keeping one forever ready to contribute and bring positive outcomes.
As prospects for the field are good, dedication will help get a rewarding life.

Cons of a Career in Process Consulting
Dealing with people and offering suggestions can be fulfilling, but not always pleasant. Feedback is not always taken in the right spirit and seen as constructive criticism. A client unwilling to appreciate that a change is required can present an obstacle to success that a Process Consultant may have visualized for a certain assignment. Though such a situation affords a challenge and learning opportunity, it could be an experience that one may not like undergoing.
The constant challenges and the need for mental efforts may prove too consuming for one. The need to remain alert, to remain updated about issues and trends, and to work long hours may become stressful. The responsibility of increasing productivity is an immense one, and carrying the burden of ensuring success can be overwhelming.

Who is a Career in Process Consulting good for?
Answering the question about whether it is suitable for one requires introspection about inclinations, as well as honest assessment of skills possessed. If there is passion for the work demanded and the needed skills are there, one should definitely try treading this path. Analytical abilities, interpersonal skills, and readiness for challenges will take one far.

Best Companies for a Career in Process Consulting

• Bain & Company
• The Hackett Group, Inc.
• Frost & Sullivan
• The Boston Consulting Group, Inc.
• Deloitte Consulting LLP
• Capgemini
• McKinsey & Company
• Accenture
• KPMG LLP
• A. T. Kearney