What management consultants work on
- Strategy: where to compete, what to stop doing and how to grow.
- Operations: processes, supply chain, quality and cost.
- Growth and new markets: pricing, international expansion and go-to-market plans.
- Change: restructures, mergers, new systems and culture.
- Fractional leadership: a part-time COO, CFO or CMO for a set period.
Independent consultant, boutique or big firm?
- Independent consultants bring senior experience directly, often at a lower cost than a firm.
- Boutique firms specialise in one sector or type of problem and add a small team.
- Large firms suit very big, multi-country programmes that need many people at once.
How to judge a consultant
- Ask for case studies with measurable outcomes, and speak to references.
- Look for credentials such as the Certified Management Consultant (CMC) designation, awarded by national institutes that belong to ICMCI.
- Agree the problem, scope, deliverables and how success will be measured before work starts.
- Make sure your own team learns along the way, so the change lasts.
Read how to hire a management consultant for a step-by-step guide.
What affects the cost
Seniority, scope, duration and how much of the work is on site all matter. Consultants charge day rates, fixed project fees, retainers or, sometimes, fees linked to results. A tight brief with clear deliverables makes quotes easier to compare.
Last updated: 16 October 2026
