As soon as the project is finished, take time to evaluate it. Can/will you implement the consultant's recommendations? What should have been done differently? This may be your first experience working with a consultant, but it's unlikely to be your last.

Give the consultant as much honest feedback as you can. It's as important to him or her as the fee. Don't hesitate to call weeks or months later if you have a question. You can't expect the consultant to provide more service without an additional fee, but he or she should be willing to answer questions on what's been completed and paid for indefinitely.

Written Report

In some situations you will have required a final written report from the consultant. The report should include:

• Goals and objectives
  
  
• What the consultant did to meet those goals and objectives
  
  
• Problems encountered and how they were addressed
  
  
• Results of project, specifically related to the goals and objectives
  
  
• Conclusions and recommendations
  

Evaluation and Feedback to Learning Center

We ask that everybody provide feedback on consultants -- this allows us to maintain quality and also to coach external consultants to the particular needs of the Yale community.

We ask you to please let us know when a consultant has completed an assignment. We will contact you to discuss these kinds of questions:

• Is your problem solved or need met?
  
  
• Are you able to implement the solutions?
  
  
• Would you use the consultant again?
  
  
• Would you recommend the consultant's services?
  
  
• Are you satisfied with the service you received and the results of the consultation?

Ending Relationships

Sometimes a consultant simply does not work out. Never hesitate to cut your losses if you're profoundly dissatisfied with what's going on or if there's obviously a bad fit between you, the consultant, and the organization. Whatever the reason, you have a responsibility to end the relationship as soon as you're convinced that it will not succeed. Negotiate payment for what' s been done, triage the problems, and get someone else. The lifeblood of a consultant's practice is their reputation; they have everything to gain by making the termination as painless and private as possible.