Considering a Career in IT Consulting? Here’s Your Guide to the Different Roles

The world of IT consulting is vast, exciting, and ever-evolving, offering opportunities for people with a wide range of skills and interests. But if you’re considering a career in IT consulting, you might be wondering: What exactly are my options?

Let’s break down some of the most common roles in IT consulting, their responsibilities, a typical “day in the life,” the traits that make people successful in these roles, and some potential downsides to consider.

1. Technical Developer

What They Do: Technical developers are the hands-on builders who write code, create applications, and develop integrations or automations. They translate requirements into functional technology solutions.

Day in the Life:

• Writing, testing, and debugging code.
• Working closely with business analysts and functional consultants to understand requirements.
• Deploying features and fixing issues.
• Documenting technical processes.

Best Suited For People Who:

• Love problem-solving and coding.
• Enjoy deep work and technical challenges.
• Have a strong attention to detail.

Potential Downsides:

• Requires continuous learning to keep up with evolving technologies.
• Can sometimes be isolated, especially if not involved in client-facing discussions.

2. Business Analyst (BA)

What They Do: BAs bridge the gap between business needs and technical solutions. They gather requirements, document processes, and ensure the solution meets business goals.

Day in the Life:

• Interviewing stakeholders to understand requirements.
• Creating process flows and user stories.
• Collaborating with developers and testers to ensure requirements are met.
• Conducting user acceptance testing (UAT).

Best Suited For People Who:

• Enjoy communication and active listening.
• Are detail-oriented and analytical.
• Can think critically and see the big picture.

Potential Downsides:

• Balancing conflicting stakeholder needs can be challenging.
• Requires strong communication skills to avoid misunderstandings.

3. Functional Consultant

What They Do: Functional consultants configure software to meet business needs. They have in-depth knowledge of specific platforms (e.g., Microsoft Dynamics, SAP) and advise clients on how to best use these tools.

Day in the Life:

• Meeting with clients to understand business processes.
• Configuring systems based on requirements.
• Delivering demos and training sessions.
• Troubleshooting functional issues.

Best Suited For People Who:

• Enjoy learning and mastering specific technologies.
• Have a mix of technical knowledge and business acumen.
• Are good at explaining complex ideas simply.

Potential Downsides:

• Requires continuous learning to stay up-to-date with platform changes.
• Can face pressure to deliver solutions quickly.

4. Project Manager (PM)

What They Do: PMs ensure that projects are delivered on time, within scope, and on budget. They plan, monitor, and manage resources, risks, and timelines.

Day in the Life:

• Holding project status meetings.
• Managing timelines, budgets, and resources.
• Identifying and mitigating risks.
• Reporting progress to stakeholders.

Best Suited For People Who:

• Are organized and detail-oriented.
• Have strong leadership and decision-making skills.
• Thrive under pressure and enjoy problem-solving.

Potential Downsides:

• High responsibility and stress levels.
• Requires handling conflicts and keeping teams motivated.

5. Solution Architect

What They Do: Solution architects design the overall technical structure of a project. They ensure that the solution meets business needs, integrates with other systems, and is scalable.

Day in the Life:

• Meeting with stakeholders to understand high-level requirements.
• Creating solution designs and technical diagrams.
• Guiding development teams and reviewing technical work.
• Ensuring the solution aligns with best practices.

Best Suited For People Who:

• Enjoy big-picture thinking and solving complex problems.
• Have a blend of technical expertise and business understanding.
• Are comfortable making high-level decisions.

Potential Downsides:

• Requires balancing technical constraints with business needs.
• Must keep up with emerging technologies and industry trends.

6. Delivery Manager

What They Do: Delivery managers oversee the delivery of multiple projects or a large program, ensuring everything runs smoothly and aligns with client expectations.

Day in the Life:

• Coordinating with project managers, architects, and consultants.
• Ensuring project quality and client satisfaction.
• Addressing escalations and resolving issues.
• Reporting delivery progress to senior management.

Best Suited For People Who:

• Have strong leadership and organizational skills.
• Are excellent communicators and relationship builders.
• Can manage multiple moving parts simultaneously.

Potential Downsides:

• Balancing client demands and team well-being can be tough.
• Requires handling escalations and conflicts regularly.

Finding Your Path

IT consulting offers a variety of roles for people with different skills, interests, and strengths. Whether you’re drawn to the hands-on work of a technical developer, the planning and coordination of a project manager, or the design and strategy of a solution architect, there’s a place for you.

Each role has its unique challenges, but they all play a critical part in delivering successful solutions. The key is to identify what aligns best with your skills and what excites you most.

What role in IT consulting are you most curious about? I’d love to hear your thoughts!