Sadly it's a bit of a crapshoot. The two consultants we have in at the moment are both brilliant, but we've had a shocking one from the same firm previously, wh

Sadly it's a bit of a crapshoot. The two consultants we have in at the moment are both brilliant, but we've had a shocking one from the same firm previously, who is probably responsible for a lot of our previous problems. The best advice I can give is to find someone/a firm who hires people who switch between doing and consulting. It's a bit like the old "those who can do, those who can't, teach". Having someone with loads of current practical experience convinces the tech types to go along with their proposal. Having someone with "expert" consultant credentials persuades management to go with something. Which is frustrating when an employee has been suggesting the same thing for ages, but a massive bill is convincing... The other top tip - especially if they are from out of town and thus staying over - invite them to the pub at the end of day one. They want to hear the gripes of those at the coal face.