Business advice is most useful when it supports a decision you can name. Start with the question, the available evidence and the people responsible for acting on the recommendation.
Diagnosis, recommendation or implementation?
A diagnostic engagement examines the current situation. A strategy engagement compares options and recommends a direction. Implementation support helps a team carry out a chosen change. These can be separate phases with different budgets and approval points; ask the consultant to distinguish them.
Give the work an owner and a decision date
Explain which team will use the findings and when a decision is needed. Identify available data and confidentiality constraints before sharing documents. If the question requires regulated legal, tax or investment advice, confirm the relevant qualifications and scope separately from general business consulting.
