Why do you need an implementation consultant?

You are a company with a size between $50M and 1B dollars. You are lean, efficient, and poised to grow rapidly. You discover that implementing a supply chain solution would get you where you need to be. A supply chain software that suits your needs and budget has been identified for implementation. Now, you need to implement it.

I've shared a common scenario in hundreds of companies. Depending only on internal resources exposes the company to multiple risks, such as operational constraints, turnover, and potential inefficiencies. An implementation consultant helps mitigate such risks. 

An implementation consultant is necessary when there are resource constraints (not necessarily a talent constraint) and urgency to implement the solution (technical implementation and process ingrained).

A good implementation consultant must be technically adept and a supply chain SME with multiple implementation experiences. They must also act as project managers, solution designers, change agents, and trainers.

Must be hired by the implementing company to act as a voice of the company with the software vendor.

It is an additional expense that guarantees proper support is available during and, most importantly, after solution implementation. A good implementation consultant is the difference between a non-adapted solution and a fully ingrained solution. Implementation is easy, but adaptation is hard.

How has your implementation journey been?