Our engagements
Three defined ways
we can work together.
Each engagement has a clear scope, a defined output, and a stated price. You choose the one that fits your situation.
Back to HomepageOur methodology
How we approach each engagement
Every Caltrop Advisory engagement begins with a scoping conversation, not a proposal. We use that conversation to understand what is actually going on in the organisation before committing to a scope in writing. If what we hear does not fit our engagement models well, we say so at this stage.
Once scope is agreed, work follows a defined sequence of steps: information gathering, analysis, draft output, review and revision, and final delivery. The client is kept informed at each stage, not presented with a final product in a reveal meeting.
We keep the engagement team small. Typically one lead practitioner, one analyst, and a documentation reviewer. Small enough to maintain coherence; experienced enough to work without supervision at each step.
Scoping conversation
A 45-minute call or meeting to understand the organisation's situation and confirm which engagement is the right fit.
Written scope agreement
Scope, deliverables, timeline, and fee documented and signed by both parties before work begins.
Information gathering
Stakeholder interviews, process observation, and document review — tailored to the engagement type.
Draft and review
Written output drafted, reviewed internally, shared with the client for a structured feedback round before finalisation.
Delivery and debrief
Final output delivered with a debrief session so the team understands the findings and can act on them immediately.
01 · 2 weeks
Operations Diagnostic Sprint
A structured two-week engagement that maps current workflows, identifies friction points, and documents how decisions move through the organisation. The team conducts interviews with up to ten stakeholders, observes selected processes in operation, and delivers a written report with a prioritised list of operational improvements and indicative effort estimates.
Suited to small and mid-sized operators who want a considered outside view before committing to wider change. Includes one half-day debrief workshop with the leadership team.
Up to ten stakeholder interviews
Direct observation of selected workflows
Written report with prioritised improvement list
Indicative effort estimates per recommendation
Half-day leadership debrief workshop
RM 2,890
Enquire About This
This engagement suits you if:
- You sense where the friction is but have not had time to map it properly
- You are considering broader change and want an informed starting point
- A key person recently left and the organisation is feeling the gap
- You need an external view that carries credibility with your leadership group
This engagement suits you if:
- You already have an internal review rhythm but want a sharper external lens
- Your leadership team reviews progress inconsistently between quarters
- You want someone available for short advisory questions without a large retainer
- Strategy is reasonably clear, but execution alignment is inconsistent
02 · Ongoing
Quarterly Operating Review Companion
A subscription-style accompaniment to the client's own quarterly review cycle. Once per quarter, the team prepares a structured pack, facilitates a half-day operating conversation with the leadership group, and writes up agreed actions. Between sessions, the team is available for two consulting hours each month for short questions and document review.
Designed for operators who already have an internal rhythm and want a steady external thinking partner.
Quarterly structured review pack prepared by us
Half-day facilitated leadership conversation per quarter
Written agreed actions log after each session
Two advisory hours per month between sessions
Document review included in monthly hours
RM 1,650 / quarter
Enquire About This03 · Per scope
Documentation & Playbook Foundations
A focused engagement that turns tacit operating knowledge into written reference material. The team interviews process owners, drafts plain-language playbooks for the agreed scope, and sets up a simple internal structure so the documents can be maintained without external help.
Output includes a written style guide, three to five completed playbooks, and a short training session for internal authors. Useful when an organisation is preparing for handover, scaling, or onboarding a new cohort.
Process owner interviews for each playbook in scope
Three to five completed plain-language playbooks
Written internal documentation style guide
Simple maintenance structure established
Training session for internal authors
RM 580
Enquire About This
This engagement suits you if:
- Key processes exist only in senior staff's heads
- You are preparing to onboard new team members or expand a function
- A founder or long-serving manager is transitioning out of daily operations
- You want documentation that the team will actually read and use
Decision guide
Which engagement fits your situation?
| What you need | Diagnostic Sprint | QOR Companion | Documentation |
|---|---|---|---|
| External workflow assessment | — | — | |
| Prioritised improvement recommendations | — | — | |
| Ongoing advisory cadence | — | — | |
| Facilitated quarterly review sessions | — | — | |
| Written playbooks for internal use | — | — | |
| Documentation style guide | — | — | |
| Leadership debrief included | |||
| Stated price | RM 2,890 | RM 1,650/qtr | RM 580 |
Pricing
Clear fees, stated upfront
01
Operations Diagnostic Sprint
Two weeks, one written report, one debrief workshop
RM 2,890
Fixed per engagement
- Stakeholder interviews
- Process observation
- Written report
- Half-day debrief
02
Quarterly Review Companion
Ongoing advisory, one quarter at a time
RM 1,650
Per quarter
- Structured review pack
- Half-day facilitation
- Written actions log
- 2hrs/month between sessions
03
Documentation Foundations
Agreed scope, written playbooks, internal training
RM 580
Per scope
- 3–5 playbooks
- Style guide
- Author training
- Maintenance structure
How we operate
Standards applied across all engagements
Mutual NDA before work begins
A formal mutual non-disclosure agreement is signed as a condition of starting any engagement. No exceptions.
Written scope agreement
Scope, deliverables, fee, and timeline are agreed in a written document before any billable work begins.
Structured feedback loop
Every written output goes through a structured client review round before it is finalised. Revisions within scope are included.
Senior-led delivery
All engagements are led by a senior practitioner. The person you meet in scoping is the person leading the work.
Secure document handling
Documents and notes shared during an engagement are stored securely and deleted at engagement close unless agreed otherwise.
Clean handover at close
Each engagement closes with a structured handover. The output is yours, maintained independently by your team without ongoing dependency.
Next step
Not sure which engagement is right? Let's talk it through.
Send us a note with a brief description of what you are dealing with. We will suggest which engagement fits best — or tell you honestly if none of them do.
Get in Touch