Challenging Some Universal Success Criteria in Management Consulting: When Practice Meets Prescription

A number of publications in the field of consulting have attempted to define universal criteria for a consultant’s success. Based on a qualitative analysis drawing upon experts ’ assessments, and highlighting the relational and processual dimensions of consulting, significant nuances are maded on this universal dimension of successful consulting. More specifically, the article attempts to show the importance of considering the organizational context and the specificities of professional bureaucracies, so common in the public health and social services sector, in which the consultant is intervening. Our analysis is based on two actual case studies of consultant intervention, presenting similar characteristics in terms of the type of consultant, the organizational environment and the larger context in which managers ’ request for consulting services arose. We conclude with the comments of students planning careers as consultants to illustrate the rich insights that may be drawn from a qualitative analysis and experts ’ opinions