Three tiers of fractional CTO involvement

Yes. The same three-tier model applies to both roles. The scope of work shifts — AI strategy, governance, and the code-agent development lifecycle for a CAIO versus broader technology leadership for a CTO — but the engagement tiers and monthly investment are identical.

Engagements are month-to-month retainers. There is no mandatory long-term contract. Most clients stay 6–18 months as they work through their technology or AI roadmap — the work compounds and the relationship deepens over time.

Yes. Tiers can be adjusted with 30 days' notice in either direction. Many engagements start at the Advisory tier and scale to Hands-On as delivery needs emerge. Some scale back after a major initiative ships.

A full-time, 40-hour-per-week executive role; vendor sales or referral fees (counsel is objective by design); staff augmentation or headcount filler; legal, HR, or finance leadership outside the technology scope; and a substitute for the engineering team — I lead and partner with it, not replace it.

Direct access via text, email, phone, Slack, or Zoom on any business day. Response time is same business day for standard questions; urgent items get priority. This is not a ticketing system — it is direct access to a senior technology leader when you need one.

The first onsite visit is covered by me. Subsequent visits' travel expenses are paid by the client, agreed in advance.

A discovery call takes about 30 minutes. If there is a clear fit, most engagements can begin within two weeks, structured around a 30/60/90-day onboarding plan before moving into full execution.