SITUATION:

You are the chief information officer for a midsized organization that has decided to implement an ERP
system.  The CEO has met with a consulting ERP firm based on a recommendation from a personal friend
at his club.  At the interview, the president of the consulting firm introduced the chief consultant, who
was charming, was personable, and seemed very knowledgeable.  The CEO’s first instinct was to sign a
contract with the consultant, but he decided to hold off until he had received your output.  15 points

Required:  Write a memo to the CEO presenting the issues and the risks associated with consultants.
Also, outline a set of procedures that could be used as a guide in selecting a consultant.  

ANSWER:

SOME OF THE RISKS WHICH ARE ASSOCIATED WITH CONSULTANTS ARE:

 it leads to data breaches

 it causes customer dissatisfaction which may make the organization to lose their customers.
 leads to fluctuation in income.
 it leads to scoop creep which may lead to more complications.

SOME OF THE PROCEDURE USED TO SELECTING A CONSULTANT ARE:

 develop initial briefs with several consultants before deciding on the move.
 scan them for expertise
 conduct a shortlisting and request more information from them.
 put them to task to give a proposal and hence decide.
 actualize the contract after settling on the best consultant.
 MEMORANDUM

TO: CEO of the organization

FROM: CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER
DATE: 06/03/2021

Implementing new ERP system in an organization is a life-time investment. ERP implementation

involves consulting firm from outside to helps the organization in identifying the business
needs, develop requirement specifications and select ERP packages.

Some of the risks which are associated with consultants are: It leads to data breaches, it causes
customer dissatisfaction which may make the organization to lose their customers, it leads to
fluctuation in income, and leads to scoop creep which may lead to more complications.

To address the issues and risks, I would like to suggest some procedures that the organization
can use to guide them in selecting a consultant.

First, develop initial briefs with several consultants before deciding on the move. Then, scan
them for expertise. After that, the organization may conduct a shortlisting and request more
information from them. Then put them to task to give a proposal and hence decide. Finally,
actualize the contract after settling on the best consultant.

I hope these suggestions can help the organization select the finest and prominent consultant.
Thank you.