Based on our team's experiences and available group development evidence, we offer the following guidelines
to aid in the creation and functioning of A.C. teams.
1. Recognize the dynamic relationships between the diverse stakeholders. All parties have vested interests and
needs that must be recognized and managed effectively. Power conflicts between academic employers and
consulting team members over resource management and/or project time demands must be addressed early.
Clear, written policies must be developed to govern resource allocation, teaching release-time, overhead
charges, project liability issues, and budgeting procedures.
2. Team management and development must be given high priority. Conscious efforts must be taken to develop
the team into an effective and efficient unit focused on meeting contract commitments. Development and
maintenance of interpersonal relationships within the team are extremely important. Multiple orientation
meetings should be held before contract approval to identify and resolve team management concerns,
membership issues, operating procedures, commitment levels, publication policies, and reward systems.
Workload differences at various stages of the project must be discussed and resolved.
3. All contact with the client must be professional and the team's image consciously managed. A.C. teams are
in direct competition for consulting projects with established consulting firms and full-time consultants. Academic
teams represent an unknown commodity to most clients, with initial contacts carrying significant influence.
Unprofessional behavior and inconsistent interactions with the client by team members may undermine trust,
support, and any future relationship. Sensitivity to deadlines, prompt responses to problems, honesty, and
strong communication skills are critical in strengthening the client-A.C. team relationship.
4. Communicate openly in all project relationships. Sharing of information, especially that concerning potential
problems, should be prompt, direct, and timely with all stakeholders throughout the consulting engagement.
Discussions about such sensitive topics as publication agendas and authorship, project compensation policies,
and data ownership should take place very early in the process. Early commitments to honesty and full
disclosure in project management should be emphasized and reinforced with all stakeholders.
5. Develop a resource network of individuals and services. Early identification of available resources and
service providers will facilitate project execution and permit some cost control. Academic computing system
specialists, video and multimedia experts, printers, academic colleagues, industry-anchored practitioners, and
database librarians are just a few of the resources that should be included in this network. Although some
campuses provide many of these resources, outside sources need to be developed, even if just to guarantee
back-up options.
6. Proactively maintain and search for new business relationships. An A.C. team cannot make a contribution
without a client, and a successful consulting relationship should not last forever. Some emphasis, then, must be
placed on identifying future clients and research opportunities. A successful and satisfying A.C. experience