Engineering Consulting – When Is It Beneficial?

Sometimes you need another set of eyes, or an outside perspective to bring things into focus.  Sometimes you need expertise to assist with a project or to accomplish a needed deadline.  The reasons are many, all with a common solution.

Does an engineering consultant make sense for your situation?

There are certainly times when another experienced mind can help get you over a hurdle.  It is a powerful way to Leverage Your Time & Resources to maximize results.

Let's explore this concept a little, because hiring consulting services can be advantageous in ways that are not obvious.

Engineering Consulting Services – By Definition

There are many ways people think about "Engineering Consulting" which makes it difficult to define.  There are differing ideas about what is and is not "Consulting", but really, a definition is not so important – we focus on the end result – finding solutions.

Our particular specialty is Mechanical Engineering Consulting, so we think about it like this:

• If consulting is someone from the outside evaluating and making recommendations, we do that.
• If consulting is assisting with a design or manufacturing process, we do that too.
• If consulting is working with you through a tough spot, perhaps inventing a new way, we do that.

Our objective is to give you traction in reaching your goals – no matter how the words are actually defined.

A Closer Look At Engineering Consulting

The perfect example of a "consultant" (though we rarely think of it this way) is a doctor.  They are skilled professionals we hire on a temporary basis to consult about an issue, or to accomplish a specific task.  And, we choose the doctor by the specialty we need.

We hire a doctor when we need outside direction specific to a situation.  We lean on their expertise to "see" things in ways we don't completely understand, and to do things most people cannot.  We don't hire the doctor to put on a band-aid (we can do that), but we definitely want one for surgery.

A similar case fits for an Accountant or an Attorney.  They have expertise we need from time to time to help achieve our goals.

Engineering Consulting Services are not much different.  We select and hire a good consultant with the skills, knowledge, and engineering expertise we need to help achieve the goals.

At Synthesis, we provide value in many activities that are frequently called "Engineering Consulting Services".  These range from phone consultations to in-depth on-site studies.

Examples of Engineering Consulting

Here are some examples of the Engineering Consulting Services we provide:

1. Design Review / Design Consulting Services

   When another set of eyes is needed, when validation of concepts is desired, or when your design time is constrained, we are available to assist.  We bring years of design experience spanning a wide array of industries.

   Such an engagement can look with you at your design proposals to help consider various aspects such as manufacturability, strength, usability, and other considerations.  Or it might include thinking about new design aspects of a product using our creativity to simplify or streamline your product.

   Here is one Case Study Example in Design Consulting.

2. Forensic Study

   Forensics often brings to mind something that failed or went seriously wrong.  In engineering, the objective is to understand what happened and why.

   If you are in a spot needing to understand why something why something broke, keeps breaking, or does not work as intended – this is a good time for engineering consulting services.

   For a detailed example, read this motorcycle engine failure forensic case study to assist in solving a failure associated with a serious accident.

3. Process Evaluation and Optimization

   In many areas of industry, but especially in manufacturing, streamlined processes are often the difference in making money or not.  Finding the bottlenecks is not usually the hard part, but figuring out how to optimize throughput sometimes is.

   Call us if you need another set of skilled eyes to help evaluate opportunities for greater capacity and greater profitability.

4. Engineering Research

   As part of finding ways to accomplish goals, allowing others to assist with the Engineering Research is a great way to do more in less time.  Synthesis has served as a research and development resource for several customers and projects.

   We affectionately call the example in this image "Sewing the Bones".  Small parts threaded with 0.002" wire.  The image was taken through a microscope.

5. Product Design

   Outside services for Product Design & Development are often in the "Engineering Consulting" category.  We do that, for sure, and a lot of it.  Try this article if you wish to develop a new product.

   Please read about our Product Development services, and about the Process.  In a similar vein, we also do Custom Machine design and build.

Of course, these categories overlap.  A discussion that starts on why something broke can end up in a design revision or optimization in manufacturing.  It is all part of the job, and it is controlled by you.

Though some of the services above might be considered "Contract" or "Freelance", we list them here to be complete.  What we call it matters less than helping you reach the goal.

Why Hire An Engineering Consultant?

This is an excellent question, so let's look at the details, then make some evaluations.

The reasons for consulting come with the evaluation.  More importantly, the reasons in your particular industry, company and situation come with understanding the benefits, and probably a discussion with us about how we may or may not fit for your needs.

Benefits Of Engineering Consulting:

1. When you need expertise your team does not currently have, a consultant can bring seasoned expertise from years of engineering experience and consulting.
2. A consultant can provide perspective to see a problem – and possible solutions – in a different light.  They can bring a broad spectrum of experience from many different industries and from other areas of the globe.
3. Get a temporary boost in your capability, quickly.  It is easy to start – much easier, and faster, than hiring new staff.  Then, when the work is complete, it is also much easier to scale back than letting staff go.
4. The cost of adding engineering consulting expertise is both scalable and temporary.  A consultant comes to help while you need it, then finishes when the project is done.
5. When you need an independent review, a consultant provides value since they were not involved in the original design.

For examples of these benefits, see these simple case studies about design consulting for complex projects.

Common Concerns:

(And why they may not be disadvantages.)

1. The high cost of hiring a consultant.  Yes, looking at an hourly rate, the cost of a consultant can seem high.  Yet, for a temporary boost, it is usually less expensive than hiring full-time staff.  Consultants don't give you the burden of ongoing payroll taxes, facilities, benefits, etc., and the costs end when the work is complete.  Additionally, you don't pay full time wages – you pay only for the work they do.
2. A consultant does not know my industry.  In many cases this is true, and there is no doubt industry knowledge is valuable.  Yet, you can benefit when the Engineering Consulting is not constrained by tradition or by industry norms.  You bring the industry perspective as a guide, then the consultant can provide a fresh look through a lens of experience to focus on solutions.  Note:  If the consultant does not recognize you as the expert in your field, and leverage your industry know-how, then find a different consultant.  They need to work WITH you, guided BY you.
3. I don't want to share company secrets with someone from the outside.  That is a legitimate concern, and it is something we are sensitive to also.  This is a good reason to carefully choose a consultant, then use documents like an NDA (Non-Disclosure Agreement) as a shield.
   - I can't speak for others, but at Synthesis we use NDAs and other documents as a reminder about sensitive information.  Even without such documents, we always care for the Intellectual Property of others.  Any reputable consultant will.

Working With Synthesis

With Synthesis, you get a broad spectrum of engineering experience spanning many years and many industries.  One benefit is the cross-pollination of good ideas and practices from other industries and locations.  A variation of a solution from another industry might be the key to your success.

Finally, we honor the Intellectual Property rights of others.  Our 30+ years in business would not have happened if we violated the trust of a customer.

When To Use Engineering Consulting

One benefit of consulting is flexible access to engineering expertise.  When you need a doctor, you call and schedule an appointment.  Do the same with Engineering Consulting.  When you see a need, call us.

Engineering consulting gives temporary access to engineering experience, judgment, or capacity when hiring another employee is unnecessary – or when an outside perspective can add something the existing team does not have.

Call Synthesis when you have an engineering question, or need a skilled set of eyes to help figure something out.  That is what we do, and it is a great way to leverage your time.

Please note, however, our services are not perfect for every situation.  If you have a need, please take a minute to Contact Us.  A conversation is the best way to find out if your situation fits our skill set.  We can discuss your specific needs.

Please also read How To Find The Right Engineering Consultant.

More Information

For more information, please read our Mechanical Engineering Consulting Services page.  Then, to learn more about how consulting can benefit your business, please read Levers to Boost Your Bottom Line.  And/Or the Linkedin article The Time Lever.

At Synthesis we do a lot of work that falls in the Engineering Consulting Services bucket.  Reach out.  There is no cost to start the conversation.  And we will not pester you later if you decide our services are not the right fit.

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