By: Kristine Schoonmaker

For consultants, starting a new project can be exhilarating and overwhelming at the same time. In an ideal world, you will have had at least a conversation or two with your project lead or other team members prior to arriving at the client site. The goal of those conversations of course is to learn the major players at the client, the history and current status of the project, your role on the team, the team dynamics and political environment on the ground. But we all know that what’s ideal isn’t always realistic. There are times when demand is high, there’s pressure to fill a role, yesterday, and proper onboarding becomes a luxury. If you find yourself having a quick chat on Tuesday afternoon and jumping on a plane first thing Wednesday morning, here’s a quick list of 20 questions you can ask to get the basic info you need to get up and running quickly, start building relationships with your team and show that you’re ready to rock.

Questions to ask your boss (Client/Project Info)

• What is the current status of the project?
• Is there a statement of work and project plan I can review? This can help you find out contracted deliverables and timelines.
• What does success look like for me in my role?
• Who are the main clients and how do you see me interacting with them?
• Who are the firm executives on the account and what are their roles?
• What politics or relationships should I be aware of?
• What documents should I review first or who should I meet with to get up to speed quickly?
• What do I need to tackle first this week?

Questions to ask a co-worker, peer, or executive assistant (Administrative Info)

• Is there a shared workspace (e.g., SharePoint) for the account/project team that I should use?
• Are there specific templates (e.g., Letterhead, PowerPoint) that should be used for deliverables? Is there a brand for the project?
• Where’s the printer and what do I need to do to get access/set it up?
• What are the expense policies?
• Is there a preferred hotel where I should stay or we have a negotiated rate?
• Are there any other requirements (e.g., training, policy reviews) I need to complete? By when?
• Where and how should I bill my time (Charge code or WBS)?
• What are the typical work hours of the client?

Questions to research online (Local Info)

• Where are the best places to eat*?
• Where is the nearest dry cleaner?
• Where is the nearest grocery store, Target, or Wal-Mart?
• How long does it take to get to the airport or train station in traffic?

While you may still have a lot to learn, you can be up and running in no time, be able to deliver value to your client and get all your personal needs taken care of starting week one!

*For International destinations, Concierge.com; for North America, check out Citysearch.com

That’s my list – what else is on yours?  What else do you ask your first week at a client?

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