For many social change organizations, summer is a time to take stock and plan for projects to start in the fall.
If a consultant project is on your menu, I have some pointers to make the launch as smooth as possible. They are:
1) Identify who will be informed by the consultant project and what decisions they will use the information for.
2) Ensure that key stakeholders are on board with the consultant project and address any concerns about timing or content.
3) Reconfirm that the project is feasible within your budget and timeframe.
4) Secure ingredients for a successful launch (time and materials).
5) Plan early for briefings, reports, or other deliverables that will actually be used.
6) Consider getting assistance with design and launch.
My new guide about how to get this done is on my Resources page. It also suggests where to find help if you need it.