From uncertain to effective: How consultants should handle ambiguity

When you're working with limited information, creating tangible outputs early is one of the most effective ways to build structure and demonstrate progress. Each of these outputs demonstrates structured thinking and helps you and your client get on the same page faster.

Start with these:

• Start a knowledge base document including links to where you’ve found information.

• Start a RAID log (a tracker for Risks, Assumptions, Issues and Dependencies).

• Create a query log, document gaps in your knowledge or missing information.

• Document the assumptions you're making, and try to validate or disprove these quickly.

• Create or iterate an as-is process map and add pain points as you uncover them.

These become living artefacts that you refine as your understanding deepens. Keep these in a central location (such as SharePoint or Confluence).

You can also use different discovery techniques to gain clarity for yourself and foster consensus among stakeholders, such as:

• Document reviews.

• 1-to-1 interviews.

• Shadowing.

• Larger stakeholder workshops.