2023 Global Leaders in Consulting: Carol Dekkers

Ms. Carol Dekkers is president of Quality Plus Technologies, Inc., and consults with clients who want to succeed in their software endeavors. As one of the world's foremost experts in software measurement, Ms. Dekkers provides guidance and expertise that enables clients to steer their projects to success.

Ms. Dekkers recently completed a challenging contract as the lead author of the Software Cost Estimating Body of Knowledge for which her client, the International Cost Estimating and Analysis Association (ICEAA,) awarded her as the 2022 Educator of the Year.

A track record of success follows Ms. Dekkers' illustrious career. In addition to excellence as a management consultant, she also boasts achievements as a published author (The IT Measurement Compendium: Estimating and Benchmarking Success with Functional Size Measurement; Program Management Toolkit for Software and Systems Development; Practical Software Project Estimation, and others), a keynote speaker (in over 30 countries) and a thought leader.

Ms. Dekkers' pro bono contributions span decades and involve thousands of hours of board leadership, international standards development, strategic guidance and volunteer mentorship.

Ms. Dekkers holds several credentials including Project Management Professional and professional engineer. Her past awards include Honorary Fellow (International Function Point Users Group, 2022), Educator of the Year (ICEAA, 2022), Special Appreciation award (Brazilian Function Point Users Group, 2016), Leadership award (Korean Software Measurement Association, 2008), and 21 New Faces of Quality for the 21st Century (American Society for Quality, 2000.)

What do you consider your greatest personal or professional achievement?

Professionally, my proudest achievements include publishing the first international standard for software sizing, establishing a comprehensive Software Cost Estimating body of knowledge, providing expert witness testimony on a high-profile copyright infringement case, and establishing a national software contracting policy for the Malaysian Government.

What advice would you give a professional just beginning a career in consulting?

Be open to new ideas, foreign cultures and opportunities. 'Diamonds-in-the-rough' opportunities are often disguised as hard work.

What have you loved most about your consulting career?

The opportunity to affect real, positive change in the lives of clients and corporations who want to achieve success.

What's the best advice—personal or professional—you've ever received

Professionally, it was the book 10-10-10: 10 Minutes, 10 Months, 10 Years: A Life-Transforming Idea by Suzy Welch that changed how I make decisions.

What does being honored as a Global Leader mean to you?

I am humbled and excited to receive this award together with so many other recognized Global Leaders. Winning in the pro bono category confirms that consulting success goes beyond billable hours, and I am grateful to Consulting Magazine for this prestigious honor.