Working With Planning Consultants -- a series of three articles
by Greg Dale

In part I, Greg Dale outlines ten key elements to successfully getting started on a project that will involve consultants; part II examines how requests for qualifications -- RFQ -- can be used in finding planning consultants; and part III focuses on steps planning departments can take to ensure a good working relationship with planning consultants. Includes sidebar by consultant Joel Russell on the disadvantages of using requests for proposals, RFP's.

The use of a private planning consultant can be an efficient way of conducting a local planning project. If handled properly, consultants can be a valuable addition to the planning resources of a community. However, like any undertaking, this process has its keys to success as well as potential problem areas. This is the first in a series of articles designed to provide an overview of the "ins and outs" of working with planning consultants. It is admittedly prepared by a planning consultant. Hopefully, however, this private sector perspective will benefit planning commissions and planning staff in the public sector.

The following are what I consider to be ten key elements to successfully getting started on a project that will involve consultants.

1. Know the Law. Many communities have local laws or regulations relating to the selection of consultants; there may also be state laws that come into play. If you have any uncertainty, consult with your legal counsel to understand the legal framework within which you operate before doing anything else.

2. Have Clear Definition of Need for Project. Before you begin a consultant selection process, your department/commission should also be clear about the scope and nature of the project. Too many communities use the consultant selection process as a means to help define a project. Unfortunately, this often leads to widely divergent proposals being submitted, which are quite difficult to compare.

3. Confirm Leadership Commitment. Related to the above, some communities use the proposal process as a way to generate local interest and agreement in engaging in a planning process. Unfortunately, this often results in confusing discussions where some decision-makers are focusing more on whether or not a planning project should be pursued rather than on selecting the most suitable consultant for the community. Before you begin a consultant selection process you should have a commitment on the part of the decision-makers that the project should be undertaken. ...

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