Job Titles
From TCPwiki
From Main Page
Some definitions:
- Consultant
- A consultant is a professional who provides advice in a particular area of expertise.
- The main difference between a consultant and a 'normal' expert is that the consultant is not himself employed with his client, but instead is in business for himself or for a consultancy firm, usually with multiple and changing clients. Thus, his clients have access to deeper levels of expertise than would be feasible for them to retain in-house, especially if the speciality is needed comparatively rarely.
- Often a consultant provides expertise to clients who require a particular type of knowledge or service for a specific period of time, thus providing an economy to the client. In other situations, companies implementing a major project may need additional experienced staff to assist with increased work during that period.
- Contractor
- A contractor is a person, business, or company which provides goods or services to another entity under terms specified in a contract. Unlike an employee, a contractor does not work regularly for an employer but works as and when required. Contractors often work through a limited company which they themselves own, or may work through an umbrella company.
- Freelancer
- A freelancer is a person who pursues a profession without a long-term commitment to any one employer.
- Freelance practice varies greatly. Some require clients to sign written contracts, while others may perform work based on verbal agreements, perhaps enforceable through the very nature of the work. Some freelancers may provide written estimates of work and request deposits from clients.
- Payment for freelance work also varies greatly. Freelancers may charge by the day or hour, or on a per-project basis. Instead of a flat rate or fee, some consultants have adopted a value-based pricing method based on the perceived value of the results to the client. By custom, payment arrangements may be upfront, percentage upfront, or upon completion. For more complex projects, a contract may set a payment schedule based on milestones or outcomes.
