5th Method Consulting Review: A People-First Approach to SharePoint Solutions

Introduction

5th Method Consulting is a technology consulting firm specializing in SharePoint deployment, branding, governance, upgrades, and migrations. With offices in Atlanta and Pittsburgh, they serve a diverse clientele ranging from Fortune 100 companies to mid-sized businesses. Their "people-first, business-driven" approach ensures that clients maximize their technology investments while improving workforce efficiency.

Key services include:

• SharePoint solutions (custom development, governance, migrations)
• K2 workflow integration (legacy & modern web-based forms)
• Enterprise project management (budget tracking, agile methodologies)
• User experience optimization (cross-platform accessibility, usability improvements)

Pros and Cons of 5th Method Consulting

1. Expertise & Technical Proficiency

Pros:

• Deep SharePoint Knowledge: Clients praise their "very strong SharePoint knowledge base," with expertise in architecture that ensures scalable, future-proof solutions.
• K2 Workflow Mastery: One client highlighted how 5th Method modernized their K2 2003 forms, enabling web access for Mac users and boosting adoption.
• Agile & Transparent: Weekly "burn down" reports keep projects on budget, and their enterprise experience helps navigate corporate complexities.

Cons:

• Initial Reporting Gaps: One client noted delayed status updates early in the project, though this improved later.

2. Project Management & Responsiveness

Pros:

• Seamless Team Integration: Clients describe 5th Method as feeling "like part of our team," with responsiveness even on weekends.
• Crisis Management: When two team members left mid-project, replacements were trained and deployed within a week—zero disruption.

Cons:

• Turnover Concerns: Staff changes initially caused anxiety, though the swift resolution mitigated risks.

3. Usability & Business Impact

Pros:

• Tangible ROI: Metrics showed improved search success rates and form usage post-implementation.
• Employee Feedback: End-users reported higher satisfaction with web-enabled forms and cross-platform accessibility.

Cons:

• Legacy System Limitations: Older tools like K2 2003 still pose usability challenges, requiring heavy reliance on 5th Method’s support.

4. Community Engagement & Innovation

Pros:

• Thought Leadership: Active in SharePoint user groups, conferences, and testing new methodologies.
• Forward-Thinking: Clients call them "leading edge" in development practices.

Final Verdict

Strengths:
✔ Unmatched SharePoint/K2 expertise
✔ Exceptional crisis management & teamwork
✔ Measurable improvements in usability and efficiency

Weaknesses:
✘ Occasional delays in progress reporting
✘ Dependency risks with legacy systems

Conclusion: 5th Method Consulting excels in delivering high-impact SharePoint solutions with a collaborative, transparent approach. While minor hiccups like initial reporting lags occur, their technical prowess and commitment to client success make them a top choice for enterprises. Rating: 4.7/5