ISO 20700 «Guidelines for Management Consultancy Services» was developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) to enhance transparency, comparability, and efficiency in management consultancy services.
ISO 20700 is intended for:
- Management Consultants: It assists consultants in delivering quality services that meet clients’ requirements.
- Consultancy Services Clients: It helps clients clearly understand what they can expect from consultants.
- Organizations offering Consultancy Services: It helps organizations elevate the quality of their services and improve interactions with clients.
Key Provisions of ISO 20700:
- Definitions and Terms: It introduces clear definitions and terms to eliminate any misunderstandings between clients and providers of consultancy services.
- Contract Requirements: It defines the key elements of the contract for consultancy services, including the object, purpose, project phases, duties, and responsibilities of parties.
- Service Planning and Delivery: It reviews the processes of planning, managing, and delivering consultancy services to achieve expected outcomes.
- Confidentiality and Ethics: It outlines confidentiality and ethical conduct principles.
ISO 20700 is not a mandatory standard but a useful tool for enhancing the relations between management consultants and clients and elevating the quality of consultancy services.