". . See what matters . ."
In consulting, complexity is unavoidable. Large organisations, legacy technology, competing priorities, and multiple stakeholders all contribute to environments that are hard to navigate. But one of the clearest signals of a strong consultant is not their ability to handle complexity . . it's their ability to simplify it.
Across the consulting interviews and programmes we support, our consultants take something complicated and make it understandable, actionable, and clear.
Simplification is not dumbing things down
Simplifying does not mean removing important detail or ignoring nuance. It means identifying what truly matters and removing noise that gets in the way of decision-making.
Good consultants simplify by:
- Distilling complex problems into clear themes
- Separating what is critical from what is interesting
- Reducing options to a manageable set of choices
- Presenting information in a way that supports action
Why does simplification matter in Consulting?
Most clients are not short on information, but they are often short on time, attention, and confidence in their decision-making. When a consultant simplifies well, stakeholders feel in control of the problem, even when it remains complex underneath.
Simplification helps because it:
- Accelerates decisions
- Builds stakeholder confidence
- Reduces confusion and misalignment
- Helps teams move forward without over-analysis
- Makes trade-offs visible and explicit
Simplification in Technology and Transformation
In digital and technology programmes, simplification is essential. We want consultants who can switch between detail and simplicity depending on their audience, without losing credibility with either.
Examples include:
- Turning a complex architecture landscape into a small number of clear patterns
- Reducing a long list of requirements into a prioritised roadmap
- Summarising technical risks in business language
- Presenting delivery options with clear pros, cons, and implications
Why our Consultancy Partners look for this skill
In interviews, Partners often test a candidate’s ability to simplify without explicitly saying so.
They may ask:
- “Explain this to a non-technical stakeholder”
- “Summarise this programme in two minutes”
- “What really matters here?”
Candidates who ramble or dive too deep too quickly may struggle. Those who can cut through the noise and explain things clearly standout immediately.
How simplification connects to Consulting fundamentals
Simplification sits alongside the other core consulting skills:
- Problem framing defines what needs to be solved https://www.entasispartners.com/blog/the-art-of-framing-how-great-consultants-define-the-problem-before-solving-it
- Top-down thinking sets direction https://www.entasispartners.com/blog/top-down-consulting-why-the-best-problem-solvers-start-with-the-big-picture
- Bottom-up analysis provides evidence https://www.entasispartners.com/blog/bottom-up-consulting-and-how-it-compares-to-top-down
- MECE provides structure https://www.entasispartners.com/blog/why-mece-thinking-still-matters-in-modern-consulting
All topics I have previously written about, and invite you to have a read.
