Beratung

Beratung is the act or process of providing advice or guidance to individuals, organizations, or groups to support decision making, problem solving, and change implementation. In German usage the term covers a broad range of professional services, from strategic and organizational consulting to technical, legal, or financial counseling. A consultant, or Berater, collaborates with clients to diagnose issues, develop options, plan actions, and monitor outcomes, while clients retain funding and decision authority.

Common domains include Unternehmensberatung (management consulting), Rechtsberatung (legal advice, often restricted to licensed professionals), Steuerberatung (tax advice), Finanzberatung (financial planning), and IT-Beratung (information technology consulting). Lebensberatung (personal or life counseling) and Bildungsberatung (educational guidance) address personal development or learning pathways. The term Lebensberatung is sometimes used in non-therapeutic contexts and is distinct from psychotherapy.

Practice typically follows a cycle: scoping and diagnostic assessment, proposal and contracting, data gathering and analysis, development of recommendations, implementation support, and evaluation. Methods include interviews, workshops, benchmarking, process modelling, data analysis, and project management. The client–consultant relationship is characterized by defined objectives, transparency about methods, and confidentiality; ethical standards aim to avoid conflicts of interest.

Regulation and professionalization vary by domain and country. In many jurisdictions, legal or tax advice is reserved for licensed professionals, while other advisory services may be offered more broadly. Professional associations set standards, certify practitioners, and promote continuing education. Across contexts, Beratung supports organizational adaptation to market shifts, technology changes, and regulatory developments.