Power Sessions

When you need immediate, executive-level help for tactical challenges. Short engagements billed at premium rates with clear boundaries.

Important: This is not a substitute for fractional advisory or build sprints. Power Sessions are for discrete, urgent needs only.

Use Cases & Format

Appropriate Use Cases

  • Crisis triage: Data breach response, system failure analysis, emergency decision support
  • Architecture review: Technical design validation, stack selection review, scalability assessment
  • Executive briefings: Board prep, investor technical due diligence, strategy validation
  • Rapid sizing: Project scoping, effort estimation, budget reality-checking
  • Vendor selection support: RFP review, vendor capability assessment, contract red-lining
  • ROI sanity checks: Business case validation, measurement approach review

NOT Appropriate Use Cases

  • Ongoing advisory needs (use Fractional CDAO instead)
  • Implementation work (use Build Sprints instead)
  • General consulting/brainstorming without specific deliverable
  • Training or knowledge transfer (include in Advisory or Sprint)

Pricing & Minimums

  • Hourly rate: $400–$600/hour depending on complexity and urgency
  • Daily rate: $3,200–$4,800/day (8-hour day)
  • Minimum engagement: 4 hours ($1,600 minimum invoice)
  • Same-week requests: +25% urgency premium
  • After-hours/weekend: +50% premium (by exception only)

Rates quoted based on:

  • Complexity: Straightforward review vs. crisis triage
  • Preparation required: Review materials provided vs. extensive pre-work needed
  • Urgency: Scheduled vs. same-week emergency

Engagement Structure

  1. Intake call (15 min, no charge): Define the need, confirm Power Session is appropriate format
  2. Quote: Fixed-price quote based on estimated hours and complexity
  3. Kickoff: Share materials/context at least 48 hours before session (or pay premium for rush)
  4. Session: Video call, in-person meeting (travel extra), or async review depending on need
  5. Deliverable: Brief written summary, recommendation, or decision memo (included in hours)

Boundaries & Expectations

  • Scope: Defined up-front; out-of-scope questions redirected to follow-up session
  • Preparation: Client provides all necessary context materials before session
  • Deliverable: Summary memo or recommendation (typically 2–5 pages); NOT full documentation
  • Follow-up: One 30-minute clarification call included within 7 days; beyond that billed separately
  • Conversion: If ongoing needs emerge, convert to Advisory or Sprint at no penalty

Typical Scenarios

Scenario Format Typical Duration Deliverable
Architecture review 4-hour session Prep: 2h + Session: 2h Architecture assessment memo
Crisis triage Same-day session 4–6 hours Incident response plan
Board prep 2-session package Prep: 2h + Rehearsal: 2h + Session: 1h Talking points + Q&A prep
Vendor selection Async + call Review: 4h + Call: 1h Vendor comparison matrix + recommendation
ROI validation Single session Prep: 1h + Session: 2h Business case assessment

Scheduling

  • Standard lead time: Book 1–2 weeks in advance
  • Rush (<1 week): Subject to availability; +25% premium
  • Emergency same-day: Rarely available; +50% premium; 6-hour minimum

When to Choose Power Session vs. Other Offerings

  • Choose Power Session when: Tactical need, clear deliverable, <8 hours total effort
  • Choose Fractional CDAO when: Ongoing guidance, strategic roadmap, >1 month timeline
  • Choose Build Sprint when: Need working system built, not just guidance
  • Choose Workshop when: Team alignment needed, multiple stakeholders, strategy development

Next Steps

Request a quote: /book?type=power-hour

Provide:

  1. Challenge description: What specific problem needs solving?
  2. Deliverable needed: What format/output do you need?
  3. Timeline: When do you need this?
  4. Context: What materials can you provide for prep?