Is Tech consulting more strategy consulting or more IT implementation?

Question

Hi, I'm working as a software QA since 3 years and am currently preparing applications for MBA programs. I've been advised to narrow down my post MBA goal from strategy consulting to tech consulting (since a. strategy consulting is not specific enough and b. tech consulting ties to my tech background).

I'm trying to gain more clarity on what tech consulting specifically is. Does it fall more into the bucket of consulting (high level strategy, analysis, MECE problem solving) or more into the bucket of IT (tech implementation, just at a senior level of what i currently do)? Is it more like what tier 1 consulting firms do (and focused on tech cases), or more like what IT services firms do?

Any reading references would greatly help too. Thanks!

Answer 1

Hi Aditya,

Great question!

The answer is both :)

At MBB you're more likely to get strategy, and at the accounting firms (Deloitte, Accenture, EY) you're more likely to get IT implementation.

However, it does depend. For example, at BCG, I was part of a multi-year digitization program for a client...by its very nature this had elements of both pure strategy and implementation.

In summary, tech consulting really can be done at the high (strategic) level or low (implementation) level. Tech is more of a function/vertical than anything.

Answer 2

Hello!

Honestly, it´s both!

You can have projects that are purely strategy, and others that are pure implementation. Others, for sure, in the middle.

In my experience, I would say I did 60% implementation and 40% strategy, but changes a lot from case to case.

Hope it helps!

Best,

Clara

Answer 3

Hi Aditya,

The short answer to question is that consulting is more as IT and very different from the classic strategy consulting. The range of the firms is also different. So the top firm are Accenture and Capgemini consulting.

I hope it helps,

for further questions, feel free to drop me a line,

best,
André