Blind faith in consultants - Seek second opinions.
From enterprise to small business solutions, blind faith in brand-name
consultants may not mitigate project risk. Seek second opinions and involve
third-party consultants in your technology projects. As a professional, I am
astonished when successful organizations fail to seek second opinions,
especially given the complex nature of integrating processes with
technology.
WWW.BASELINEMAG.COM’s article “Why
Andersen Cracked in IT Suit” underscores the reason all organizations,
regardless of size, structure, or maturity, should seek unbiased second
opinions. The problems described in this article are not isolated to
Anderson and may have been prevented if a third-party consultant was
engaged.
The problem, however, is that many associate a stigma with seeking second
opinions. Second opinions are often standard practices in the medical,
judicial, and financial world. The same professional consideration should be
given to the technology sector. An unbiased second opinion offers a
different perspective that often illuminates alternative options and is the
best quality control measure you can implement to mitigate project risk. The
reluctance of any professional to engage in peer collaboration should raise
cautionary flags that question motives and agendas.
Many projects fail due to inadequate envisioning and planning that often
produce unrealistic expectations. Engaging third-party consultants with
hands-on experience can help an organization overcome the many barriers that
plague technology projects. A second opinion should be seen as an
opportunity to reach a common goal, not a lack of trust. As a professional
organization, we understand the challenges and not only recommend peer
collaboration, but practice it on a daily basis. |
