IT Consultant: Definition and Overview

Information technology is a vast and growing field full of career opportunities — one of which is working as an IT consultant. This person often plays an integral role in helping a company manage its IT infrastructure and advises leaders on how technology can influence business’s success. This guide will help you learn more about the ins and outs of being an IT consultant working in an IT consulting firm.

What Is an IT Consultant?

An IT consultant assists businesses in achieving their objectives or addressing specific challenges. They guide firms on maximizing their current tech assets or advise on new technological investments to consider.

As Robert Douglas, president of PlanetMagpie Consulting, an IT consulting firm, says, “All consulting is based around a business need. You talk with a CEO, CFO, or CIO and ask what the long-term plan is. How does IT meet the plan without it falling apart or being behind schedule?”

He illustrates with a scenario: “Imagine a company merger. The transition from one IT system to another must be seamless and reported to the stock market by midnight. By 12:01 a.m., the merger should be fully integrated within the new IT setup.” The consultant’s role is to design this transition strategy and ensure its punctual execution.

What Does an IT Consultant Do?

IT consultants assist businesses in identifying tech issues and implementing solutions. They frequently collaborate with a company’s in-house IT team across various initiatives, such as:

• Assessing cybersecurity threats
• Maintaining and repairing existing infrastructure
• Designing and implementing new systems
• Analyzing the current IT system to identify problems
• Creating a technology budget

Depending on the nature and scope of the project, the consultant may work with the company on short-term single projects or long-term, multi-phase projects.

For instance, a business might hire an IT consultant to create a network design or transition a current system to a different platform. Other times, the consultant might be tasked with guiding the CEO on a long-term tech strategy and managing its rollout over one or multiple years.

How to Become an IT Consultant

Douglas says it’s unlikely you’ll land a role as an IT consultant in IT consulting firm right after graduation. “A lot of what is learned is learned on the job. You need to be exposed to a lot of different problems and come up with a lot of different solutions as there’s generally no one size fits all solutions to many IT problems. A lot of it is trial and error.”

You’re more likely to start in roles such as a software developer or cybersecurity expert. In these roles, you’ll establish the foundational skills required for an IT consulting position. Douglas recommends that those keen on this path should engage with numerous end users. Such interactions will enhance your experience and provide insights into how customers perceive and utilize technology.

What Skills Does an IT Consultant Need?

Douglas emphasizes that while deep knowledge in IT is crucial, exceptional interpersonal skills are equally vital for an IT consultant. “Building trust and understanding with clients is important” he states.

Being innovative and looking at challenges from unique perspectives is key for consultants. Moreover, creating a functional IT strategy isn’t enough; you must be adept at presenting and gaining buy-in from key decision-makers. Douglas advises budding IT consultants to refine their communication and presentation abilities, as articulating ideas clearly is essential.

Douglas also points out that resilience is a must-have trait for successful IT consultants. They shouldn’t easily back down and should persevere until they resolve the issue. Additionally, stellar organizational skills are imperative, given that IT consultants often manage diverse data sets, from client databases to communication logs.

Conclusion

In conclusion, an IT consultant plays a pivotal role in bridging the gap between business objectives and technological solutions. Their expertise not only helps in addressing immediate technical challenges but also in strategically aligning a company’s technology roadmap with its long-term vision.

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