Information about consulting projects and consultants is provided to help college administrators. It is noted that colleges are increasingly asking consultants for help with such diverse projects as database design, collection of new information, or the development of evaluative procedures. The stages of a successful consulting project and the roles a consultant should assume within these phases are discussed. The first stage is exploring the issues for which outside help is sought; the second stage begins when the consultant and the administrator formally define their working relationship by means of a proposal, a work plan, and a contract. The formal work starts at the third stage: mapping the problem, gathering information and data, analyzing the information, problem solving, and making recommendations. The final stage is completion, including writing the final report and achieving certain outcomes. Attention is also directed to: how to find the right consultant, costing out the consultant's services and the consulting project; the type of contract that should be written and necessary contract clauses; mutual responsibilities of clients and consultants; the political realities of a consulting project; and the evaluation of the consulting process. (SW)