1. Contracting: Begins/Continues
the relationship between consultant and client organization, testing the fit of
consultant’s skills and values with the organization’s needs. Begins/Continues
the process of clarifying the expectations of the consultation efforts and
desired characteristics of the client-consultant relationship.
2.
Discovery
& Dialogue: Though some information
surfaced in the first phase, discovery is a systematized approach to gaining
information about the organization (collected in a variety of ways.) Dialogue
is a collaborative process between the consultant and client organization
members to derive meaning from the information gathered.
3.
Feedback
& Action: A written
summary with recommendations for further action is submitted for consideration
by the consultant based on the findings from the Discovery & Dialogue
phase. The client and consultant formally
come to a mutual understanding about the meaning of the analysis and decide on the
areas of focus for the next consulting activities.
4.
Engagement
& Implementation: Specific activities in
service of the project’s goals are carried out in the client organization.
These may be led by the consultant, supported by the consultant, and/or
accomplished by the organizational members.
5. Reassessment & Extension or Closure: Once the activities are completed, consultant and client look at the
progress compared to the intentions. If the work is complete, this is the time
to celebrate the completion and close the project. If there are still actions
to be taken, this is a decision point for renegotiating the next phases of the
contract.
