The contracting conversation is a time to explore some of the initial issues that have prompted the client to call, but also to clarify how the consulting process will work, from negotiating expectations to discussing roles and outcomes. While contracting usually begins with a meeting before a project begins, it is not confined to that single meeting. Consultants return to validate agreements and negotiate expectations at many points throughout the engagement.

A contract can come in many forms, from a simple phone call to a written legal agreement. External consultants generally expect to develop a written agreement on the service expectations and payment details. Many internal consultants don’t feel that contracts are necessary. However, most clients appreciate an explanation of the consultant’s process and a statement of what must be done to make the engagement a success.

By not setting expectations in advance, the consultant gives the impression of compliance with the client’s framing of the issues, definition of the process, and tacit assumptions about roles. The formal contract consists of topics such as the agreed-upon time span of the relationship, steps in the consulting process, and payment to be made to the consultant. The second part of the contract is psychological and may not even be documented. The psychological contract for the consulting relationship is just as important as the formal contract.

It is an explicit agreement about the consulting relationship, such as how the client and consultant will communicate with each other, building a relationship ideally on authenticity and openness.