“Consulting service” is the “consulting” which is offered in the form of a remunerated activity that consists of an explanation of facts based on knowledge and analysis in connection with the resulting evaluation of alternatives for action, which leads to a recommendation.

Providers of “consulting services” are consultants and consulting firms. They are characterised by the fact that they conduct the “consulting service” they offer as part of their professional activities in a professional manner. Since consulting is by definition based on knowledge and analysis, profound competence is an indispensable prerequisite for the provision of the service. At best, therefore, consultants are proven experts or specialists.

The “consulting services” can be offered to various groups of addressees. In many cases, individual providers specialize in specific target groups, such as corporate consulting, management consulting or political consulting.

In addition, there is a specialisation with regard to the subject matter of the consultation. Typical is a functional focus, for example in strategy consulting. At present, specialisation in digital change, digitisation and digital transformation is of particular importance. In particular, management consultancy for digital transformation is widely used for knowledge transfer and strategy development. Similar to strategy consulting, it has become common practice to include the subject matter in the designation of consulting services: Digital Transformation Consulting, Digitalization Consulting, Digital Consulting.