How We Can Help
Take a look at the list of our projects to get an idea of how we have helped a variety of libraries, organisations and companies. We are independent and impartial. Our unrivalled experience in libraries, technology and business means we are well placed to help. Of course organisations have their own goals and agendas so we work flexibly, adapting and tailoring our services to meet specific client needs.
We help in a number of ways including:
- Strategy
- Innovation
- User Experience (Ux)
- Procurement of new systems
- Identifying needs
- Developing a business case
- Developing requirements documents and formal Invitations To Tender (ITT) and Requests for Proposal (RFP)
- Informal and formal evaluations of potential solutions
- Marketplace intelligence – reviews and market research
- Audit/review of library technology
What people say about Ken Chad Consulting
Review and reprocure regional library management systems
Ken worked with us on an ambitious project to review and reprocure two regional library management systems used by 25 NHS library services (39 libraries) in the East and South East of England. Both had been using the SirsiDynix Symphony LMS for some years. Ken coordinated and led on stakeholder engagement, pre-procurement market engagement with potential suppliers, and development of our formal specification of requirements. He also participated in evaluation of tenders during the formal procurement process. Ken’s approach to stakeholder engagement is inclusive and very effective, and he knows the LMS market inside out, so his input was immensely valuable and we are very pleased with the outcomes of the project
Helen Bingham. Head of Knowledge and Library Services (Resource Discovery),Directorate of Innovation, Transformation and Digital. Health Education England
Establishing a business venture
We worked with Ken to establish our platform and technology solutions in higher education. It was a new market for us and Ken’s knowledge of the HE market was vital. He found our first customer and worked with us and the university to better understand researcher needs so we could develop, what is now, a very successful range of solutions, Ben Summers. Haplo
Procurement of a new solution
Ken’s methodical approach, engaging workshops and deep understanding of the issues and the market has helped to put us in a good position to realise our ambition to make an innovative step change in service delivery. Christine Middleton Associate Director (Content and Discovery) University of Nottingham
Ken’s expertise was invaluable. He worked with us on requirements and an evaluation schema to make for a much-improved procurement process. He knows the marketplace extremely well and his focussed analysis with key factors for the relevant vendors was very helpful. Paul Reynolds, Keele University librarian
Value Propositions
Ken’s approach and methodologies were clear and the associated workshops engaging and enjoyable. We found the work on value propositions especially useful in helping to clearly articulate what is important especially in terms of making a business case for funding. (Cambridge University archival management system). Dr Suzanne Paul. Keeper of Manuscripts and University Archives, Cambridge University Library
Innovation and User Experience (Ux): the Jobs-To-Be-Done (JTBD) methodology
We found the [Jobs-To-Be-Done] workshops really helpful from two perspectives. First it helped to have an innovative new way to look at the issues and problems and secondly it gave us some clear outputs which we can use to develop our services”. Diane Devine. Robert Gordon University
Library Vision
I’m really pleased with the way in which this has worked out. It has been a very valuable exercise for us. Ken’s contribution helped clarify our thinking. The process was both challenging and engaging and gave us clear outputs. It was refreshing to work with a consultant who really understands the Higher Education environment: we really enjoyed working with him. Robert Hall Director of Library Services, King’s College London