Engagement Models

How we work

Three engagement models designed to match how you operate. No hourly billing. No staff augmentation. Just honest scoping, transparent pricing, and the expertise to deliver results.

Our Commitments

What we don't do

Sometimes clarity comes from saying what you're not. Here's what doesn't fit our model.

  • Staff augmentation

    We're not bodies in seats. If you need someone to execute a roadmap you've already defined, there are better options than bringing in a senior architect.

  • Hourly billing

    Hourly billing creates a conflict of interest between speed and revenue. We operate on monthly retainers and fixed-price projects. Both reward efficiency instead of penalizing it.

  • Direct accountability

    You work with the same person from scoping through delivery. That means direct accountability, no handoffs, and continuity from strategy to execution.

  • Scope padding

    We don't inflate complexity to extend engagements or manufacture urgency to win work. If the right answer is smaller than your budget, we'll tell you.

  • Disappearing acts

    Knowledge transfer is a deliverable, not an afterthought. We build with the exit in mind. Your team should be stronger and more capable after we leave.

Pricing philosophy

We operate on two models: monthly retainer and fixed-price. Both align our incentives with yours—we do better when your project succeeds, not when hours stretch. Both are transparent before work begins.

Why these models? Retainers and fixed-price projects reward efficiency. The faster we solve your problem, the better the outcome for both sides. That alignment is intentional.

Monthly retainers include a set number of hours at a fixed rate. We scope conservatively—if your needs shift, we discuss it before overages happen. This works for Trusted Advisor and Fractional Architect engagements where the work is ongoing.

Fixed-price projects start with a paid discovery phase. We investigate your org, interview stakeholders, and identify edge cases before quoting a firm price. You own the discovery output regardless of whether we move forward together. That rigor is how we price with confidence and eliminate surprises.

No hidden fees, no surprise line items. You pay one transparent price for the outcome.

How It Works

The process

Every engagement follows the same disciplined approach: understand first, scope honestly, deliver with rigor, and leave you stronger.

01

Discovery

Understand your org, your team, your constraints, and what success actually looks like. The technology conversation comes after.

02

Proposal

Clear scope, transparent pricing, honest timeline. You know exactly what you're getting and what it costs before we start.

03

Delivery

Disciplined execution. Documentation. Regular communication. If things change, we talk about it immediately, not after the fact.

04

Handoff

Knowledge transfer, decision logs, training. Your team should be able to maintain and evolve what was built after we leave.

Questions

Frequently asked

These are the questions we hear most often. If yours isn't here, let's talk.

  • What does a fractional Salesforce architect do?
    A fractional architect provides part-time senior technical oversight for your Salesforce organization. This includes code review, architecture design review, solution validation, and strategic guidance on your technical roadmap. Unlike a consultant who solves a specific problem and leaves, a fractional architect stays engaged with your team on an ongoing basis, mentoring your team and helping evolve your platform as needs change.
  • How much does Salesforce consulting cost for nonprofits?
    Pricing depends on the engagement model. Trusted Advisor and Fractional Architect engagements use monthly retainers (typically 10-20 hours per month). Precision Specialist engagements are fixed-price scoped projects. We offer reduced rates and flexible structures for mission-driven organizations with genuine budget constraints. All pricing is transparent and fixed before work begins—no surprises, no hourly billing.
  • How long does a Salesforce implementation take for nonprofits?
    Timeline depends entirely on scope. A Salesforce health check or architecture review might be 2-4 weeks. A data migration or complex integration could take 8-12 weeks. A full implementation varies widely based on your current state and target outcomes. We scope these projects with confidence because AI-assisted delivery lets us investigate thoroughly upfront, identify edge cases early, and price based on actual complexity rather than estimates.
  • How does AI-assisted consulting reduce project costs?
    AI tools accelerate our delivery without cutting corners. We use AI for code generation, documentation, scaffolding, and rapid prototyping—then validate, review, and refine the output before delivery. This speed means we can scope fixed-price projects more thoroughly and price with confidence instead of padding estimates. We keep the margin that AI efficiency creates, which translates to lower costs for fixed-price engagements and faster delivery on retainers. The key is that architectural judgment and quality assurance are still entirely human.
  • What is included in a Salesforce health check?
    A Salesforce health check is a comprehensive assessment of your platform's current state. It typically covers: data model review, security and access control audit, automation and flow audit, integration audit, custom development review, configuration standards compliance, and roadmap alignment with your organizational strategy. We deliver findings, prioritized recommendations, and a summary of what's working well and what needs attention. It's designed to give you clarity before making bigger investment decisions.
  • What does knowledge transfer look like in a consulting engagement?
    Knowledge transfer is a core deliverable, not an afterthought. For every piece of work we deliver, we include: inline documentation explaining what was built and why, decision logs capturing alternatives considered, training sessions with your team on how to maintain what was built, and ongoing mentorship during the engagement. The goal is always to leave your organization stronger and more capable—not more dependent on us. If your team needs us forever, we've failed.

Start a conversation

If any of these models fit what you're building, we'd like to hear about it. Let's talk about how we can work together.

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