How to Evaluate a Technology Consultant: Free Assessment Tool for Associations
Selecting the right technology consultant can save your association thousands and prevent 6-12 months of implementation delays. But how do you objectively evaluate whether a consultant has the expertise, independence, and methodology to deliver results?
This free, 5-minute assessment evaluates consultants across five critical success factors based on 100+ successful association technology projects. Whether you're vetting potential consultants or evaluating your current advisor, you'll receive an objective score with specific recommendations.
Answer 19 questions about your consultant. Get your score instantly, plus a detailed interpretation email within 24 hours with specific recommendations for your situation.
👉 Scroll down to begin the assessment
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT EVALUATING TECHNOLOGY CONSULTANTS
Q: Why do I need to evaluate my technology consultant?
A: Small to Large association technology projects can scale from $50,000-$500,000 in cost and require 6-18 months to implement. The wrong consultant can lead to cost overruns, missed requirements, vendor lock-in, and failed implementations. This assessment helps you avoid costly mistakes by objectively evaluating consultant qualifications before you commit significant resources.
Q: When should I use this assessment?
A: Use this assessment in three scenarios: (1) Before hiring - evaluate consultant proposals during your selection process; (2) During engagement - verify your current consultant is meeting professional standards; (3) When concerned - objectively assess whether red flags you're seeing represent serious issues that need addressing.
Q: What makes a technology consultant "independent"?
A: An independent consultant doesn't accept commissions, referral fees, or implementation revenue from software vendors. Frankly, dedicated software selection consultants are better resources when they don't perform implementations. This ensures their recommendations are based solely on your needs, not their financial incentives. The assessment includes specific questions to identify conflicts of interest that could compromise objectivity.
Q: How is the score calculated?
A: The 100-point scoring system is weighted by importance: Technical Competence (35 points), Trust & Relationship (30 points), Independence & Objectivity (15 points), Process & Methodology (10 points), and Value & Practicality (10 points). Scores of 85+ indicate excellent fit, 70-84 good fit, 55-69 moderate concerns, 40-54 weak fit, and below 40 serious risk.
Q: What happens after I complete the assessment?
A: You'll see your preliminary score immediately on-screen with a summary interpretation. Within 24 hours, you'll receive a detailed email from SmartThoughts with: (1) complete score breakdown by category, (2) specific strengths and concerns identified, (3) actionable recommendations for your situation, and (4) optional consultation offer if you want to discuss your results.
Q: Is my information kept confidential?
A: Absolutely. Your assessment responses and contact information are stored securely and used only to provide your personalized results. We never sell, share, or distribute your information to third parties. You control whether you want follow-up contact from SmartThoughts.
Q: Can I evaluate multiple consultants?
A: Yes! If you're comparing consultant proposals, take the assessment once for each consultant you're considering. This provides objective comparison data to support your selection decision. Use a unique email address for each submission if you want separate result emails.
Q: What types of technology projects does this apply to?
A: This assessment is designed for association technology consultants primarily working on: Association Management System (AMS) selection and assessments. However, it can be used for other projects involved in the association sector, such as website redesign/development, learning management systems (LMS), event management platforms, member community platforms, CRM selection, technology strategy development, and other software selection projects.
Q: What if my consultant scores poorly?
A: A low score doesn't necessarily mean you need to change consultants immediately. Your detailed email results will explain specific concerns and provide actionable recommendations. In many cases, addressing identified gaps through direct conversation can strengthen the relationship. SmartThoughts offers consultation services if you need objective guidance on next steps.
Q: Who created this assessment tool?
A: This assessment was developed by SmartThoughts LLC, an independent association technology consulting firm with 20 + years of experience and 100+ successful software selection and assessment projects. SmartThoughts specializes in vendor-agnostic consulting and doesn't accept implementation fees or vendor commissions, ensuring truly independent guidance.
Q: Does this assessment work for consultants in other industries?
A: While the core evaluation criteria apply broadly, this assessment is specifically calibrated for association and nonprofit technology consultants. The scoring weights, question phrasing, and interpretation guidance reflect the unique needs of membership organizations. For consultants in other sectors, results may not be as accurate.
Q: How long does the assessment take?
A: Most association leaders complete the 19-question assessment in 5-7 minutes. You'll receive your preliminary score instantly upon submission, with detailed interpretation delivered via email within 24 hours.