4 ms·

Do you think they cared that you spent 12 hours on setup?

• user5994461 9y ago
  Of course not! If they cared, it would be handled or they wouldn't use consultants.
  • ethbro 9y ago
    I'd put a caveat on that where they care if it makes them look bad. If it's readily apparent that your patron dropped the ball in prep (either through incompetence or simply ignorance), then that can be a very bad round of the blame game. This is where providing transparency and insight (in a "how can we fix this?" way) up to management can help engagements go more smoothly. If everyone was aware from the first that "that QWSV system access issue" has been impacting the projects for weeks, that's much better than "the project is weeks behind" being communicated up at a random status meeting.
    • user5994461 9y ago
      As a consultant, point out to your sponsor that access is not ready and it will take a few days (of the one week contract). That's all you are required to do. I wouldn't advise to participate in the blame game or to point fingers. You are not here to cause troubles and trouble is bad for repeat business. P.S. Organizations are dysfunctional and the majority of consulting time is wasted. Lesson one of being a consultant is to live with it. :D
      • ethbro 9y ago
        Agreed. If avoidable, never point fingers. But if shit really hits the fan, at some point management will be asking "Who was supposed to do this?" And between that and the finger possibily being pointed at you... soft skills in handling politically tense situations well are useful.