What Does a Public Sector Consultant Do?
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A public sector consultant diagnoses policy and delivery problems, designs improvements, and helps agencies implement change across digital, finance, people, and operations. You hire one to add skills fast, de-risk delivery, and meet statutory goals. Expect evidence-led recommendations, measurable milestones, and transparent procurement.
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What does a public sector consultant do?
They combine policy insight with delivery methods to help ministries, cities, and agencies improve results. Typical work spans research and stakeholder interviews, data and cost analysis, option design, pilot tests, change management, and program controls. Public sector and government consulting often focuses on digital identity, permitting, benefits delivery, health and human services, public finance, and infrastructure programs.
Why it matters now
Large public programs, accelerating digital expectations, and workforce constraints raise delivery risk. Governments are adopting modern technology and operating models, while independent benchmarks track progress and gaps that consulting teams can help address.
How does government consulting work?
Procurement is structured and transparent. In the United States, agencies frequently buy services through the GSA Multiple Award Schedule using FAR 8.4 procedures, which streamline competition and allow task orders and blanket purchase agreements. Schedules require published price lists and terms by Special Item Number and encourage small business participation.
Examples of public sector consulting services
- Digital government and GovTech. Service redesign, identity and access, data platforms, AI governance and pilots.
- Program and portfolio delivery. Business case support, benefits tracking, independent assurance for major projects.
- Policy design and evaluation. Cost-benefit analysis, stakeholder engagement, outcomes measurement.
- Financial and operational improvement. Shared services, grants management, procurement transformation.
| Finding | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Government major projects tracked in the UK 2023–24 | 227 projects | Infrastructure and Projects Authority |
| Benchmark coverage in OECD Digital Government Index | 155 data points per country | OECD DGI 2023 |
| GovTech Maturity Index global average | 0.519 in 2020 to 0.552 in 2022 | World Bank GTMI |
| Common U.S. procurement route for consulting services | GSA MAS under FAR 8.4 | FAR Subpart 8.4; GSA MAS overview |
| Frameworks and trends guiding public sector and government consulting | AI, modern platforms, value-based delivery | Deloitte Government Trends 2025 |
These sources show why demand for public sector consulting services remains high and where benchmarks indicate progress and gaps.
What is the difference between public and private sector consulting?
Short answer: Both apply analytical and delivery methods, but the public sector weighs transparency, equity, statutory mandates, and multi-year service outcomes. Private sector projects center on growth and margin. Procurement, risk controls, and performance reporting are more formal in government.
How to get started
- Define the outcome. Service level, cost, equity, or risk goals with baseline metrics.
- Pick the vehicle. Use a framework like GSA MAS where appropriate, or full and open competition for complex needs.
- Set measures and guardrails. Accessibility, privacy, security, and value for money.
- Pilot and scale. Start with a small scope, show impact, then expand.
Request a government consulting assessment
Sources
- Deloitte. Government Trends 2025. https://www.deloitte.com/us/en/insights/industry/government-public-sector-services/government-trends.html
- OECD. 2023 Digital Government Index. https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/2023-oecd-digital-government-index_1a89ed5e-en.html
- OECD. 2023 Digital Government Index PDF. https://www.oecd.org/content/dam/oecd/en/publications/reports/2024/01/2023-oecd-digital-government-index_b11e8e8e/1a89ed5e-en.pdf
- World Bank. GovTech Maturity Index. https://www.worldbank.org/en/programs/govtech/gtmi
- GSA. Multiple Award Schedule overview. https://www.gsa.gov/buy-through-us/purchasing-programs/multiple-award-schedule
- FAR Subpart 8.4. Federal Supply Schedules. https://www.acquisition.gov/far/subpart-8.4
- GSA. MAS Ordering Quick Reference Guide PDF. https://www.gsa.gov/system/files/MAS_Ordering_Quick_Reference_Guide_FINAL_508.pdf
- McKinsey. Deploying generative AI in US state governments. https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/public-sector/our-insights/deploying-generative-ai-in-us-state-governments-pilot-scale-adopt
- UK Infrastructure and Projects Authority. Annual Report 2023–24. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/infrastructure-and-projects-authority-annual-report-2023-24/infrastructure-and-projects-authority-annual-report-2023-24-html
About the Author
Aykut Cakir, Senior Partner and Chief Executive Officer, has a demonstrated history in negotiations, business planning, business development. He has served as a Finance Director for gases & energy, pharmaceuticals, retail, FMCG, and automotive industries. He has collaborated closely with client leadership to co-create a customized operating model tailored to the unique needs of each project segment in the region. Aykut conducted workshops focused on developing effective communication strategies to ensure team alignment with new operating models and organizational changes.
