Typical scenario: You hire a design firm to work on an important project. They could be someone you've worked with before, or maybe not; it really doesn't matter. Everything is going along well and you're pleased with the progress.

Then, all of a sudden, a problem arises!

Perhaps, at a critical juncture, you thought you were going to see specific changes to the design that didn't occur, or the changes you are presented are quite different than what you were expecting, or, you just don't like what you're seeing.

At a minimum, there's embarrassment all around. Worse: time delays when you can't afford them. And the ultimate: a potential fraying of the relationship and/or degradation of the project quality.

What happened? And how do you deal with it? The reality is, even with the best planning, every job has the potential to run into trouble, and many do -- to greater or lesser degrees. This is where a consultant's mettle is tested. Good ones know that it's simply a matter of time before a problem arises. And the mark of a true professional lies in how a problem is handled.

We're all human, so it stands to reason that, sooner or later, someone is going to misinterpret a communication, regardless of how well-developed their listening skills or meticulous their note-taking. But a real pro never loses sight of one thing -- preserving the relationship, and if possible, making it stronger by demonstrating a dedication to fixing the problem.

How that fix occurs is as individual as the situation but invariably, it will be easier to accomplish if everyone addresses the issues by being up-front and having only the best intentions. It is even better if everyone admits to their contribution to the problem. Then no one feels cornered or unfairly accused. In Design One's experience, we have never seen a situation that is 100% right or wrong. There's always room for interpretation.

So, here's the $64,000 question: how can you tell if your consultant ranks among the best? There's no easy answer, but we suggest you start by checking their references. Ask to talk to long-term clients and then ask them the hard questions: How does this consultant deal with conflict? Were they dedicated to your well-being when your project hit a bump in the road? Were their solutions given freely? (If your design firm has no long-term clients, you'll have to wonder why.)

Whatever the problem, the best consultants willingly rise to the occasion. They know in the end,if you look good, they look good. And isn't that what everyone really wants?