Keys to Profitable Consulting Engineering

Abstract

This paper discusses over 20 items that are seen to be keys to profitable operation of consulting engineering firms, large or small. The author draws on his consulting practice to identify factors that are often associated with firms having pretax profitabilities of 15% or more of net fees. Not surprisingly, most factors are related to management or marketing work. Other factors relate to staffing, financial management and reporting, professional productivity, project pricing, and collecting for work done.