Data Consultancy

Data consultancy exists because many organisations collect large amounts of data but lack the people or systems to use it. They hire outside specialists to fill that gap for a defined project. The goal is to leave the client with something that works: a reliable data system, a working model, or a report they could not produce before.

What the work looks like depends on the client. At a large company with its own data team, a consultant might be brought in for specialist work, such as setting up a cloud platform or building a specific model. At a smaller organisation with no data staff, the same consultant might handle everything from collecting the data to presenting the results.

The tools depend on the project. SQL and Python are common across most work. Engineering projects use cloud platforms like AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud, and tools such as dbt or Apache Spark. Analytics projects use visualisation tools and statistical methods. Consultants also need to explain their work to clients who are not specialists, so clear communication matters.

In the Netherlands, data consultancy firms range from large international players to small specialist agencies, with most work around Amsterdam, Utrecht, and the Hague. Clients come from every sector, including Banking, government, and retail. These firms employ roles such as Data Engineer, Data Analyst, and Data Scientist. The same roles exist inside other organisations; the difference is that consultants change clients often, rather than working on one organisation over time.