Communicate, Communicate, Communicate

Halfway through the course, we have conducted our literature review, completed several expert interviews, and compiled preliminary findings and an outline of next steps. We are well on track to accomplish with our remaining time in the semester a deliverable in-line with the expectations of both the client and professor. 

Starting from the beginning, our literature review was expansive and dense. We researched the theory and application of ESG, familiarized ourselves with an existing ESG law, conducted a mapping of key stakeholders, and followed continuously developments in the political context around our subject matter. We received documents from the client, were referred research from classmates, and were guided by experts. With so much to work through, it was essential to divide and conquer between team members; and, it was preferable to align material with the personal interests of each group member. In doing so, we remained individually motivated through the long and heavy review process. Even then, we fell two weeks behind on our time estimation for the literature review.

Our research and timeline were accelerated, however, by early-phase expert interviews. We referred to trusted members of the Columbia network and recommended field guides as our initial sounding boards for opinions, questions, and theories. As such, we found affirmation of our knowledge, new ideas to explore, as well as challenges to our assumptions.  

This led us to complete an in-depth presentation of our preliminary findings on schedule, right before the spring break. We were able to share a robust review of our direction with the client, which proved essential for them to correct any slight misinterpretations of the original ask. In fact, consistent, bi-weekly, 15 minute meetings with our client kept us on top of our work, as well as on track conceptually. To this end, our client also regularly emails with new information to help our process. Then, most importantly, we outlined next steps for our client and a view on our expected deliverables for their feedback. This outline included our conclusion that a scenario analysis is best for the research question at hand, which was well-received.

Continuing communication, interaction with classmates has shown client relations are essential to the fluidity and momentum of each project. It is important to set the client relationship off right, with a meeting of introductions required by the third week of class (on both the student and client side). This reduces wasted time and energy that has for some groups been spent on guessing the scope of a project. Of course, it is nice to have flexibility in defining scope – ultimately this is the job of a hired researcher or consultant – but, without clear and frequent communication with the client direction is easily lost. 

Two notes: (1) the client relationship, if kept strong, makes the work so much easier and the findings (ultimately conclusions) feel so much more substantial. I am thankful for our client’s participation; (2) setting strict deadlines, particularly in advance of interim presentation, is critically to being free to enjoy spring break, whether on capstone or holiday.