What does "fractional" mean?
Fractional leadership means you get senior expertise on a part-time, ongoing basis. Typically a few days per month rather than a full-time hire. You get consistent access to experienced guidance without the cost and commitment of adding an executive to your payroll.
How are engagements structured?
Most engagements are monthly retainers with a clear scope and expected time commitment. This typically ranges from one day per month for advisory work to several days per month for hands-on leadership during critical projects. Some engagements are fixed-scope assessments with a written deliverable instead of a retainer. We agree on the structure upfront, and it can adjust as your needs change.
I'm not ready for a retainer. Can you do a one-time assessment?
Yes. Architecture & Migration Assessments are fixed-scope, fixed-fee engagements that produce a written assessment of your Azure environment or migration path. No retainer required. Most assessments run two to four weeks. If the assessment uncovers something larger, there's a clear path to a fractional engagement, but it's optional, not a sales funnel.
Do you write code yourself, or just provide direction?
My role over the past decade has been primarily architectural. Designing systems and guiding development teams rather than writing production code daily. That said, I have a solid understanding of the full stack, front-end to back-end, and can roll up my sleeves when needed. For modernization and new development engagements, I typically architect the solution and work with developers (yours or contractors) to build it.
What does application modernization typically involve?
Depends on what you have and where you need to go. Some applications can be migrated to Azure with minimal changes. Others need incremental refactoring or targeted rewrites. Sometimes the right answer is building something new alongside what already exists, especially when off-the-shelf tools don't fit your workflow. I help you assess what you have, build the business case, define the roadmap, and lead the execution.
What's "Data Consolidation & Reporting Readiness"?
Many businesses have data trapped in multiple systems. Flat files, vendor databases, spreadsheets, location-specific software. None of it gets consolidated. Data Consolidation & Reporting Readiness brings that data together into a unified layer (typically Azure SQL or a data warehouse) so you can report on it, analyze it, or feed it into other systems. I focus on the data architecture and pipelines. Dashboards and reports are typically handled by your team or a BI specialist.
What compliance frameworks do you have experience with?
Primarily SOC 2. I've led organizations through SOC 2 audit preparation, including four consecutive SOC 2 Type 2 audits with zero findings, and built information security programs from the ground up. Policies, controls, vendor oversight, and team training. The same program also satisfied customer security requirements and cyber insurance underwriting, not just the audit.
Do you handle security questionnaires?
Yes. I've responded to many client security questionnaires and know how to translate technical controls into language that satisfies enterprise security reviews. I can also help you implement the controls you're missing.
Can you help us meet cyber insurance requirements?
Yes. Cyber insurers ask about the same controls a security program is built on. MFA, endpoint protection, backups, access reviews, a documented incident response plan. The program I built satisfied our cyber insurance underwriting along with SOC 2 and customer security reviews. If your application or renewal is asking for controls you don't have in place, or can't attest to with confidence, I can help you implement them and document the evidence. I work on the controls and documentation, not the policy itself. I'm not a broker and don't advise on coverage or carriers.
Do you implement security controls yourself, or define requirements for others?
Either, depending on your situation. If you have an IT team, I can define the requirements and guide implementation. If not, I can implement controls directly. Azure policies, Defender configurations, Key Vault, network security, and so on.
What's your Azure experience?
I've architected production Azure environments from the ground up, including App Services, Functions, SQL Managed Instances, Azure Data Factory, Key Vault, Application Gateway with WAF, Azure Firewall, Redis Cache, and Application Insights. I handle both the initial design and ongoing governance.
Do you work with companies outside the Microsoft ecosystem?
The practice is focused on organizations that build on Microsoft technologies. Azure, .NET, SQL Server, and Microsoft 365. If your stack is primarily AWS, GCP, or non-Microsoft, I'm probably not the right fit for hands-on development work, though I can take an architecture and engagement-leadership role on other stacks.
Can you help us figure out where AI fits in our business?
Yes. As part of technology leadership engagements, I help clients identify where AI and automation can add practical value. Operational efficiency, data insights, customer experience. For organizations with compliance requirements, this also includes developing AI usage policies and reviewing the security implications of AI integrations. We use AI-assisted development tools in our own engineering work, so the guidance comes from hands-on experience with the same adoption and governance challenges our clients face.
What's the first step?
Start a conversation. Tell me about your situation and I'll let you know if I can help, and what an engagement might look like.
