Working with Scott
by: Scott Booher
Most engagements start the same way: a conversation. If what you’re navigating sounds like something I’ve seen before — and after 25+ years in healthcare technology, most things do — we’ll find a way to structure a partnership that makes sense for where you are.
Here’s what that typically looks like.
Engagement Scope
No two engagements look exactly alike. Some clients need a structured project — a technical due diligence effort, a platform architecture review, a major program management assignment. Others need someone available on a broader basis: to unblock the engineering organization, maintain momentum between permanent leaders, guide strategic decisions, or provide a senior technical voice in important conversations.
Regardless of scope, clients can count on one thing: if I find something they should know about — a technical risk, a process gap, a team concern, a compliance exposure — I’ll say so directly. That candor is a meaningful difference from typical consulting engagements, and one of the real benefits of working with someone who has held the CTO seat for years.
Getting Started
Many engagements begin with a limited number of hours and grow from there. As the partnership develops, I’m often asked to take on additional scope — staffing challenges, vendor management, key hires, strategic planning, board presentations. The flexibility to start small and scale is a feature of the fractional model, and I’m happy to structure an initial engagement that lets both parties evaluate the fit before making a longer commitment.
Hours and Availability
When we’re not operating at full-time hours, I ask that we establish expected availability windows early — specific times when I’ll be reachable for calls, questions, and real-time collaboration. This ensures that each client gets fully present engagement, not attention divided across competing commitments.
I also ask that the hours we set reflect the scope and complexity of the work. If we’re working toward an outcome that genuinely requires more investment — a HITRUST readiness program, a major platform migration, an imminent product launch — I’ll say so directly, and we’ll align on expectations before the engagement begins.
Rates
A benefit of working directly with me — rather than through a large consulting firm — is pricing flexibility. Short-term engagements carry the highest hourly rate; that rate steps down meaningfully with longer-term commitments and extended partnerships.
For engagements with a strong mentorship, coaching, or team development component, I’m often able to be particularly flexible — these are the kinds of engagements I find most rewarding, and I price them accordingly.
I’m always open to rate conversations for clients interested in longer-term arrangements.
Retainers
Retainer arrangements work well for clients who want consistent access without needing to pre-define every deliverable. We establish availability, agree on hours, and work through whatever the organization needs most — strategic planning, ongoing technical guidance, staff mentorship, vendor and partner decisions, or whatever has surfaced since the last conversation.
Agreements
Most clients prefer to start with their own Master Service Agreement, and I’ve found that only minor adjustments are typically needed. From there, we’ll work together to define an initial Statement of Work scoped to the engagement.
Reporting and Invoicing
I provide a brief weekly status update to sponsors covering key efforts underway, milestones reached, current roadblocks, and what’s ahead for the following week. I invoice every two weeks with 30-day terms.
Ready to Start a Conversation?