Consultancy CNSL

Providing advice and recommendations, based on expertise and experience, to address client needs.

Revision notes

Updates for SFIA 9

Theme(s) influencing the updates for this skill: Making SFIA easier to consume (enhance readability/guidance/descriptions).
Readability improvements have been made to levels 4, 5, 6, and 7.
You can move to SFIA 9 when you are ready - SFIA 8 skill descriptions will still be available to use.
Previous SFIA assessments or skills mapping may be impacted by this change.

Guidance notes

Consultancy may focus on a specific subject area, or encompass a wide range of strategic business issues. It may also include support for the implementation of agreed solutions.

Activities include, but are not limited to:

leading and managing a consultancy practice
leading and managing consultancy teams and/or consultancy assignments
delivering consultancy assignments
engaging with clients and maintaining client relationships
establishing and managing consultancy agreements or contracts
overseeing the growth and development of a consultancy practice
managing proposals, sales and account management within a consultancy practice.

The Consultancy skill defined in SFIA applies to the delivery of consultancy as part of formal or informal consultancy agreements.

General advice, guidance, or problem-solving related to an individual's responsibilities is covered by the SFIA generic attributes and by specific SFIA professional skill descriptions that include providing advice and guidance.

Understanding the responsibility levels of this skill

Where lower levels are not defined...

Specific tasks and responsibilities are not defined because the skill requires a higher level of autonomy, influence, and complexity in decision-making than is typically expected at these levels. You can use the essence statements to understand the generic responsibilities associated with these levels.

Where higher levels are not defined...

Responsibilities and accountabilities are not defined because these higher levels involve strategic leadership and broader organisational influence that goes beyond the scope of this specific skill. See the essence statements.

Developing skills and demonstrating responsibilities related to this skill

The defined levels show the incremental progression in skills and responsibilities.

Where lower levels are not defined...

You can develop your knowledge and support others who do have responsibility in this area by:

Learning key concepts and principles related to this skill and its impact on your role
Performing related skills (see the related SFIA skills)
Supporting others who are performing higher level tasks and activities

Where higher levels are not defined...

You can progress by developing related skills which are better suited to higher levels of organisational leadership.

Click to learn why SFIA skills are not defined at all 7 levels.

Show/hide extra descriptions and levels.

Levels of responsibility for this skill

Level 1

Level 1 - Follow: Essence of the level: Performs routine tasks under close supervision, follows instructions, and requires guidance to complete their work. Learns and applies basic skills and knowledge.

Level 2

Level 2 - Assist: Essence of the level: Provides assistance to others, works under routine supervision, and uses their discretion to address routine problems. Actively learns through training and on-the-job experiences.

Level 3

Level 3 - Apply: Essence of the level: Performs varied tasks, sometimes complex and non-routine, using standard methods and procedures. Works under general direction, exercises discretion, and manages own work within deadlines. Proactively enhances skills and impact in the workplace.

Consultancy: Level 4

Level 4 - Enable: Essence of the level: Performs diverse complex activities, supports and guides others, delegates tasks when appropriate, works autonomously under general direction, and contributes expertise to deliver team objectives.

Takes responsibility for specific elements of a consulting engagement within a defined scope.

Collaborates with clients as part of formal or informal consultancy engagements. Understands client requirements by collecting data and delivering analysis.

Ensures proposed solutions are correctly understood and effectively applied.

Supports the broader consultancy engagement by contributing insights and assisting with problem-solving, always within the established boundaries of responsibility.

Consultancy: Level 5

Level 5 - Ensure, advise: Essence of the level: Provides authoritative guidance in their field and works under broad direction. Accountable for delivering significant work outcomes, from analysis through execution to evaluation.

Takes full responsibility for understanding client requirements including data collection, analysis and resolving issues.

Manages the scope and delivery of consultancy engagements to meet agreed objectives. Identifies, evaluates and recommends options.

Collaborates with, and facilitates, stakeholder groups, as part of formal or informal consultancy agreements. Seeks to fully address client needs and implements solutions if required.

Enhances the capabilities and effectiveness of clients by ensuring proposed solutions are fully understood and appropriately exploited.

Consultancy: Level 6

Level 6 - Initiate, influence: Essence of the level: Has significant organisational influence, makes high-level decisions, shapes policies, demonstrates leadership, promotes organisational collaboration, and accepts accountability in key areas.

Leads and manages the provision of consultancy services and/or a team of consultants.

Provides expert advice and guidance in own areas of expertise to both consultants and clients.

Engages with clients at a strategic level, establishing consultancy agreements or contracts and maintaining long-term relationships. Manages the completion of engagements, ensuring strategic alignment with client needs and overseeing the transition from consultancy delivery to operational adoption.

Oversees the development and delivery of consultancy services within the agreed strategic framework.

Consultancy: Level 7

Level 7 - Set strategy, inspire, mobilise: Essence of the level: Operates at the highest organisational level, determines overall organisational vision and strategy, and assumes accountability for overall success.

Directs the strategic direction and operations of a significant consultancy practice.

Engages with key stakeholders at the highest levels to ensure consultancy services drive strategic outcomes.

Manages overall client relationships and the development of long-term consultancy partnerships, maintaining high standards of service delivery and ethical practice.

Oversees practice development, proposals, sales, account management and the delivery of consultancy services across diverse topics.

Guidance notes Small change