What Does An IT Consultant Do? The Role in Detail

To keep business operations running smoothly and efficiently, many companies rely on advanced technologies. But to reach this goal, business owners have to determine which technologies to invest in or how to optimize IT-related areas. In light of this, almost every company requires technical expertise. It is here that IT consulting has become a precious choice for businesses.

But what does an IT consultant do, and how does this role help organizations achieve tech-related and business goals? In this article, we will discuss the role of IT consultants, their responsibilities, required skills, and the pros and cons for a project.

What is an IT consultant?

In short, an information technology (IT) consultant advises companies on how to use technology to meet their business goals. In detail, an IT consultant is a technical specialist who identifies technology-related problems, develops strategies and selects and implements software and hardware solutions to optimize systems. Typically, they provide strategic guidance to organizations on what appropriate technology or software to invest in and how to resolve issues related to IT infrastructure effectively.

Overall, the role of an IT consultant is to improve organization’s IT systems and business performance. IT consultants bridge the gap between technical teams and staff to understand their business goals and recommend hardware and software accordingly. Moreover, IT consultants can provide clients with updates about the latest technology as it becomes available. However, their responsibilities go beyond that.

What does an IT consultant do?

On a daily basis, IT consultants perform a variety of duties. They communicate with regular clients and implement technology solutions as needed. During a project development, the primary responsibilities of IT consultants can include:

• Define objectives for a project;
• Plan timescales, budget, and resources;
• Gather a technical product requirement;
• Choose the right tech stack;
• Analyze a company’s IT system and infrastructure;
• Analyze IT system risks;
• Design, test, and install new systems;
• Work with the in-house technical team;
• Train staff to use a new IT system;
• Monitor performance of IT systems;
• Produce detailed documentation and reports;
• Identify potential clients and build relationships.

As you can see, IT consultants’ responsibilities consist of many tasks and usually depend on a company’s objective and project scope. Based on that, consultants may work on short-term, long-term, or multi-phase projects and carry out the above duties in general. 

The types of IT consultants 

Depending on the company and industry, the specific expectations of an IT consultant may differ and focus on various IT areas. Now let’s dig deeper into some of the types of IT consultants.

An IT project management consultant

An IT project management consultant is a qualified specialist who helps organizations create, execute, and manage an IT project. To ensure that projects are completed on time and within budget, an IT project manager defines project scope, set goals, and establishes timelines. The role of IT consultants is to improve management processes and complete a project on time.

A maintenance and repair consultant

A repair and maintenance consultant maintains and repairs hardware, software, and networks. The purpose of their work is to assess a company’s maintenance performance. They are responsible for:

• Evaluating existing maintenance processes;
• Providing maintenance and repair guidance;
• Developing maintenance training programs for staff;
• Establishing a maintenance and repair budget ;
• Selecting the right equipment and tools.

With the assistance of this type of IT consultant, businesses can minimize maintenance costs, reduce downtime, and improve equipment performance.

An IT security consultant 

The role of IT security consultants is to identify vulnerabilities in organizations’ systems and networks, assess security risks, and develop robust security strategies to prevent cyberattacks. They also ensure that organizations comply with relevant regulations and standards, such as GDPR and HIPAA, and keep their security policies up to date. The duties of an IT security consultant vary based on the type, such as:

• Cloud security consultants;
• Network security consultants;
• Cybersecurity consultants;
• Information security consultants;
• Compliance consultants, etc.

Your business may need one of these IT security consultants to adopt a robust cybersecurity strategy. They help companies protect their digital assets and avoid data breaches. So, if you understand “what is an IT consultant and what types there are?” let’s turn your attention to the value an IT specialist brings to a project.

Pros and cons of working with IT consultants

Often, organizations consider hiring in-house IT staff instead of an IT consultant. It is because companies understand the role of a full-time employee better than an unclearly titled ” IT consultant.” Having a consultant on board can lead to accelerating a company’s growth. But in what way?

The pros of hiring an IT consultant

Here are some of the key benefits of hiring an IT consultant:

• Cost-efficient: IT consulting saves time and money as businesses do not need to hire a full-time employee, which often is impractical or expensive. So, clients pay only for consulting services;
• Enhanced focus on business: organizations can hire IT consultants for technology management so business owners can focus on their core operations;
• Improvement of core areas: IT consultants have experience in different technologies and environments, which allows them to identify “weaknesses” in operations efficiently;
• In-depth expertise: as IT consultants have various and rich knowledge in any field, they can recommend and integrate relevant technologies into business operations;
• Defining future risks: consultants can anticipate and predict potential problems before they occur.

No doubt that for effective IT operations management, businesses should have well-designed IT strategies that allow them to control a situation rather than react to it after it happens. Although IT consultants can provide valuable expertise and advice, businesses should carefully weigh the potential benefits and drawbacks before hiring one.

Cons of working with IT consultants 

Business owners should consider the following potential cons of using IT consultants:

• Need for newer technology: having IT consultants may lead organizations to invest in newer technology to match or expand on their existing technology;
• Limited communication: as IT consultants work with third-parties so and companies may encounter a bit of downtime and misunderstanding during a project;  
• Difficulty integrating with existing systems: new systems or technologies may be difficult to integrate with existing IT infrastructure, resulting in additional costs and complexity.

In order to ensure that a consultant’s efforts are aligned with the goals and needs of the business, it is critical to choose an IT consultant with the appropriate skills and experience.

Required skills for IT consultants

IT consultants should have a certain skill set to match company needs with technological solutions. Here are some of them:

Critical thinking

One of the primary responsibilities of IT consultants is to identify and fix hardware, software, and networking issues. Due to this, critical thinking skill is essential to analyze situations thoroughly associated with information technology and come up with an effective solution.

Customer support

The ability to provide excellent customer service is another essential skill for IT consultants to retain clients and establish long-term relationships. When IT specialists ask questions and listen carefully to customers, they can pinpoint and determine customer needs and provide better customer support.

Technical proficiency

In-depth technical knowledge of the IT field such as operating systems, databases, and programming languages (and other aspects) is necessary to evaluate and install software and hardware properly. Moreover, to keep up with industry standards, an IT consultant must stay up-to-date on the latest trends, take online courses and connect with other IT experts. 

Interpersonal communication

The ability to collaborate effectively with‌ team members and clients is vital to ensure that a consultant understands clients’ needs better and can implement a tailored solution. Honing this skill may help IT consultants gain customers’ trust and improve their overall experience.

Time management

When it comes to meeting deadlines, keeping track of completed tasks, and keeping the team members up to date during a project, time management is an incredible skill for IT professionals. By using this skill, IT consultants help technical teams understand better what they are needed to do and accomplish tasks without interruptions. As a result, all team members will stay on track during the project.

Problem-solving

The primary responsibility of a consultant is to identify and solve any arising problems a client may have before or after a technology is implemented. Thus, IT consultants have to analyze data and draw conclusions from it to come up with a client with the best solution.

Needless to say, this is not the complete list of required skills since it can include many more, depending on the niche and the project requirements. However, these skills and others make sense for IT consultants to respond to clients’ concerns, propose solutions, and implement them without disrupting business operations.

How to become an IT consultant

Typically, IT consultants begin their careers with a bachelor’s degree in IT, software engineering, computer science, cybersecurity, or related fields – that is mandatory for many companies. However, there are many ways to succeed in this career path. Listed below are some ways to grow as an IT consultant.

Earn a bachelor’s degree

As stated above, earning a degree in IT is a strong starting point for becoming an IT consultant. Even though a bachelor’s degree is not always needed, employers prefer IT consultants with a degree from a university. A bachelor’s degree can also help IT candidates demonstrate specific skills and knowledge that employers may be looking for – and put them ahead of competitors.

Some professionals take it a step further and receive an MBA (master’s degree) too. Additionally, IT consultants often specialize in particular industries to become familiar with a specific market. For example, IT consultants may create software for healthcare facilities or offer services to non-profit organizations.

Training and certifications

Many IT professionals follow other paths to become IT consultants and prefer online resources, courses, training, and certifications. Certification and training prove to employers that IT consultants have a high level of knowledge, expertise, and experience. Having a certification demonstrates to employers that a consultant is committed to their profession and gives them an edge over other candidates.

Among the certifications IT consultants should be aware of are:

• Certified Technology Consultant (CTC)
• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
• Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP)
• Project Management Professional (PMP)
• Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE)
• Certified ScrumMaster (CSM)

Gain experience

Often, employers look for IT candidates with previous work experience. Therefore, it is a good idea for newcomers to start with entry-level positions as interns to gain experience before they begin providing support and consulting services. IT experience shows clients that an IT consultant is capable of solving the real problems they are likely to face.

Build networks

The network of professional contacts or lists (from a previous job) can be helpful for IT consultants who may use it as references. IT consultants can establish an excellent reputation and earn the trust and respect of employers if they have gained good references early. 

Another way to build a career through networks is by connecting with potential employers on social media platforms like LinkedIn. Aside from that, placing a CV with details about skills, experience, and work samples will help experts find new career opportunities rapidly.

Final thoughts

Now that we are clear on the question “What does an IT consultant do?”, it is time to put it all together. IT specialists help small and medium-sized businesses develop strategies, select and implement software and hardware solutions, and optimize existing IT systems. 

However, when it comes to hiring an IT consultant, businesses need to keep several factors in mind. First and foremost, IT consultants need in-depth technical skills and a solid understanding of all aspects of the different IT fields. They also need well-developed soft skills to deal with clients and develop practical solutions. Over time, having a blend of education, work experience, specialized skills, and connections leads to a highly skilled IT consultant.