Re: rf design

Hello,

I like the last option you presented. I agree, an engineers
reputation should be determined by the quality of their designs, but
have found the pool of engineers with known reputations to be rather
small. I have recently worked on designs that 'do-not-work' even after
the initial design, and a design review by a 'reputable consultant'.
Who's responsible? I guess it depends on the structure of the group you
work with, or the details of some legal agreement.

Known reputation is a problem. How can you tell? That is what I ran into when looking for a consultant who could design for injection molding because that was clearly out of my realm. Got a few bruises there, too.

Calling former clients is one method. However, most contracts clearly prohibit the consultant from revealing the identity of clients. Sometimes that is because the group that needed the consultant was kind of embarrassed that they couldn't do it on their own. So they'd rather not have it broadcast. Other times the matter is just so confidential that the client doesn't want the slightest risk of divulgement. Both are very understandable but will put you in a dilemma figuring whether that consultant is really going to pan out for you.

I believe the best strategy is to enter into a mutual NDA and let the consultant make some suggestions. Many will offer an hour or so of discussion free of charge, just like some attorneys do. If you have knowledgeable folks sitting in (but who don't hedge an NIH syndrome...) they could then voice their opinions afterwards. Other times you might just want to send the docs over and have the consultant propose what he or she would do. When it comes down to the mat, invite the consultant. That's going to cost, of course, but you could still turn them down if uneasy about the person.

I have compiled some thoughts about this on our web site:

http://www.analogconsultants.com/howtofind.htm

Regards, Joerg

http://www.analogconsultants.com
.

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