Choosing an Organisation or Consultant
If you
decide to commission an external organisation or
consultant to carry out your lifestyle survey it is
important to consider the following factors:
- Reputation and track record of consultant(s) and/or
organisation
- Approach of the consultant(s) and/or organisation
- Flexibility to your needs
- Availability within your planned timescale
- Understanding of your organisation and sector
- Costs and value for money
- Sufficient resources to do the job
Making Your Choice of Who
to Commission
This may be done by using
a formal tendering process if your organisation has this
facility. However, if not, you should shortlist
about 3-6 organisations who you think can offer
you the right service, and ask them to supply you with
some written information about the way they would
conduct your survey, and how much they would charge for
this. From the information you receive, decide
which ones to look at in more detail and if possible
interview each group. The following points need to
be
considered when making your choice:
- Is the
organisation clear about what you want to achieve?
- Is the approach
they have suggested
right for your organisation?
- Do you feel
confidence and trust in the organisation?
- Is the
organisation willing to respond to your needs?
- Do they have the
resources to deliver within your timescale?
- Is the
‘chemistry’ right to work together?
- Are the charges
they are suggesting within your budget - and how do
they compare with others you have been given.
As part of the
selection process, weigh up the costs and benefits of
the different proposals you have had to make sure that they meet your needs. |
