Software consultants set up customized software solutions tailored to the needs of individual businesses. Software is key to the efficiency of organizations in almost every industry. The increasing use of e-commerce, cloud computing, data analytics, and other digital tools allow businesses to engage in personalized interactions with customers at scale. Software consultants provide the technical ‘know how’ that allows this happen, and ensures that software functions reliably and in a user friendly way.
There are many situations where an organization can experience roadblocks and inefficiencies due to a lack of software expertise. To drive home how critical software consultants can be, consider the story of Paris, France. The city hired Accenture to modernize its civil service, which led Accenture to create an app to manage daily maintenance in the city by alerting relevant technicians. For example, if there was a power outage, the app could automatically inform a technician and send them a map of the fastest route to get to the relevant location. This system ensures that city maintenance is carried out quickly and reduces the need for written paperwork. As a result, the efficiency of city maintenance in Paris has increased by 20%, allowing the Paris civil service to perform 140,000 repairs per year.
Software consultants offer a range of services including cybersecurity, compliance, software integration, and implementation. Although one of the main tasks of any software consulting project is to code the software programs, engagements begin with a meeting or field visit with the client to discuss their issues in detail. A poorly scoped project will invariably produce undesirable results for the client as well as the consultants. Once clear goals and terms of engagement are established, the consultants can then get the greenlight to develop the solution.
Implementation could include training the client’s staff to use the software, building and installing additional hardware, and integrating the software with the client’s existing information systems. Custom built software is notoriously complex and so consultants often remain available following project completion to assist with trials, updates, maintenance, and support. Although projects often run over schedule, they are usually planned to last anywhere from 4 to 12 months.
Agile software development is a set of principles and practices that aim to improve the effectiveness of software development. The approach values individuals over process, early delivery over comprehensive documentation, collaborative development over contract negotiation, and a flexible response to changing circumstances over pedantically following a preordained roadmap. This means more collaboration and flexibility from developers in responding to inevitable changes rather than being fixated on the original plan. This is likely to make for a much more enjoyable work environment and to shift the focus from providing flawless work to solving the client’s problems.
Although agile software development promises to reduce costs and boost creativity, the reliability and consistency of a consulting service could be negatively affected. Consultancies need to ensure that they maintain services at a high standard to avoid being replaced by internal consultants. Products like Microsoft Azure, a cloud computing service, make it easier and cheaper than ever before for clients to develop their own software solutions.
Software consulting is an excellent career choice because professionals with technical skills are highly sought after by many firms, the work is well compensated, and technology is a dynamic field with strong future growth potential. You can probably expect a 40-hour work week, with room for challenging projects and deadlines. Software also becomes outdated periodically, which offers consultants the opportunity to undergo regular training in order to be informed about major developments and trends.
Aspiring consultants should aim to develop their research, communication, and teamwork skills. Research skills are vital to understanding and solving technical issues, especially when working with clients in different industries. Training the client’s staff requires strong leadership, mentoring, and communication skills. Software consultants don’t work in silos, and so it is also necessary to have the ability to collaborate and work effectively as part of a team.
Background and education are important. Obtaining a qualification in software engineering is recommended and gaining relevant experience will give you an advantage. Don’t count yourself out if you don’t have exactly the right qualifications. Although success will require more effort if you don’t have the appropriate bits of paper, it is possible to compensate with dedication and work experience.
Software consulting impacts all industries by enabling businesses to operate more efficiently and create more value for consumers by leveraging the power of technology. It is agile, stimulating, and there is plenty room for growth.
Rhulani (Ruce) Ndlala is an accounting student at the University of Cape Town, and former President of the UCT Consulting Club.
Image: Unsplash
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