How we work

Typical Project Execution Processes

Our typical end to end projects consist of the following steps:

a diagnostic: a diagnostic allows us to define the scope and nature of the problem as well as identify it's root cause (through analysis, management interviews, observations and site visits).
solution design: based on the diagnostic, we work with the client's team to design the most appropriate solution to address the identified problem
solution testing/piloting and implementation.

Source: Slideshare.net

We do, however, also embark on research projects which consist of the following steps:

Defining the research question
Conducting the research: this can consist of primary research (expert interviews; surveys; focus groups; etc) and secondary research (analysis of information and data; press searches; identification and analysis of existing reports; etc)
Delivering research report to the client

We structure our teams to include

a part-time project manager: responsible for ensuring the project deliverables are aligned to the project requirements; managing client relationships; as well as maintaining quality control and identifying resources needed to complete the project successfully
full-time senior associates: responsible for producing the project deliverables (including conducting research; performing analysis; drafting required reports and handover documents for the client; etc)
industry, geography or functional area experts as needed: provide input and insights into industry, geography and functional area specific topics to ensure realistic, pragmatic and world class solutions
junior research analyst as needed: provide support with basic secondary research tasks
data analytics associate as needed: responsible for conducting big data analysis; building specialized financial models etc

The benefits, for our client, of working this way are high quality solutions at a reasonable fee because:

The core team consists of highly skilled consultants with consulting experience at first and second tier consulting firms therefore they are able to work efficiently and effectively using best practice problem solving frameworks as well as require limited project manager involvement

Source: McKinsey & Company

We work closely with the client's team during the solution design and/or piloting process to ensure that business realities and context are taken into account; get buy-in from key stakeholders for the new solution; and make the project result in skills transfer to the client's own team resulting in reduced need for consulting services on the same topic in the future
Experts, the most expensive resources, are consulted as needed as opposed to dedicated to the project for the duration of the project thus reducing the fees associated with serving our clients
We use more affordable resources, e.g. junior research analysts, where the tasks are more suited to junior skills (e.g. press searches, data scrubbing, etc.)
Our full team, with diverse levels of expertise, experience and skills, allows us to deploy a team tailored to support each client in solving their most pressing problems