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2025-02-10

How to Apply Technical Consulting in Complex Projects

My personal experience from international projects in special vehicle construction, powertrain development, high-voltage integration, battery development, industrialization, manufacturing technology, project management, and leadership has shown that clarity, trust, and efficient collaboration are crucial, especially in highly complex environments. But how can this be achieved? Here are key strategies for effective technical consulting.

1. Build Trust
Technical consulting only works if all stakeholders trust the expertise and independence of the consultant. Transparent communication, comprehensible decisions, and a collaborative approach are essential for this.

2. Reduce Complexity to Main Points
Complex issues must be presented in an understandable way. Instead of getting lost in details, the focus should be on the key aspects to enable clear and actionable solutions.

3. Involve the Right People
Successful projects require the right experts at the right time. It is crucial to identify early on who can make significant contributions and to involve these individuals and the right companies accordingly. Not every provider or service partner fits every project. Criteria such as innovation capability, reliability, cost awareness, and teamwork should be considered when selecting potential partners.

4. Assess Partners
Not every partner is suitable for every project. Evaluation should be based on factors such as technical expertise, reliability, and innovation strength. A clearly defined set of criteria helps with selection.

5. Give Direction
A consultant must provide guidance, especially when there is uncertainty or disagreement. This means offering well-founded recommendations and setting clear guidelines.

6. Define “What” and Not “How”
A consultant does not dictate the direction but supports the team in finding the correct path. Teams and partners should have the freedom to develop creative solutions within clearly defined parameters. The team consists of experts who know what needs to be done in their respective fields, with a focus on “skills” rather than “tools.”

7. Clearly Define the Scope
Just as important as defining project goals is clarifying what is not part of the project. This prevents misunderstandings and unnecessary work. Tools and methods such as RASIC are useful aids here.

8. Provide Confidence in On-Time and High-Quality Completion
A successful consultant instills confidence that the project will be completed on time and with high quality. This requires experience, foresight, and a proactive approach.

9. Step in When Others Cannot or When Direction is Misleading
An experienced consultant identifies critical situations early and can intervene promptly to make corrections or prevent escalations.

Summary:
Technical consulting in complex projects requires clarity, foresight, and the ability to make the right decisions. Those who follow these principles lay a solid foundation for project success.