Functional consultants are technology experts who help organizations find solutions that increase productivity. In most cases, functional consultants begin by analyzing current business processes, then they use their knowledge of current software solutions to make suggestions. It also is common for functional consultants to act as project managers who oversee implementation and assess the quality of a new program after it is in effect. To become a functional consultant, it is essential to go through formal academic training in fields such as information systems or computer engineering. A person who wants to become a functional consultant also should choose a particular field or industry in which he or she would like to work, because this decision affects the kinds of training in which he or she should engage.
If you want to become a functional consultant, you should dedicate as much time as possible to learning about software and information systems that are used in your chosen field. For instance, if you want to become a functional consultant in the medical field, you should take courses and participate in internships that introduce you to the kinds of technology that are used in hospitals and clinics. Aspiring functional consultants in the financial industry, on the other hand, might enroll in graduate business programs in which they learn how to integrate their understanding of information systems into functions such as market analysis.
Any person who wants to become a functional consultant should understand that he or she needs to undergo continual training throughout his or her career. Research professional organizations that offer opportunities to take courses and exams that lead to new kinds of professional certification. It also is a good idea to attend trade shows and seminars where software developers introduce their cutting-edge products and ideas.
Functional consultants often are experts in their fields. It is a good idea to establish yourself as an expert by writing articles for trade publications and academic journals. You might also present papers and research projects at seminars. Many functional consultants have their own websites where they can post their writing and discuss their ideas. Potential clients might read your website so they can better understand your perspective before they even contact you.
In most cases, a person who wants to become a functional consultant works for a firm. By the time you apply for this of position, you already should have at least five years of experience working with related software. It is important that you have a niche area of specialization and that you find a firm that needs a consultant who has your particular skills and experience.