In my observations, consultants can be very well (mis)used. Very frequently I've seen the pattern where a consultancy is allowed to go in and do everything at

In my observations, consultants can be very well (mis)used. Very frequently I've seen the pattern where a consultancy is allowed to go in and do everything at the direction of some project overlord. And, sometimes? That's a -great- thing. Sometimes that means that in fact you are cutting away from all of the existing BS at a company and are allowed to make a real product. Other times, however, it winds up being one of those things where you quickly realize you're going from bad to worse.