PRICING & ENGAGEMENT OPTIONS

Start with clarity. Build the operating system your business needs next.

ClearKnots works with growing service businesses from operational diagnosis through system design, implementation and improvement. Choose the right starting point for the problem you need to solve.

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DiagnoseArchitectImplementImprove

A PRACTICAL WAY TO BEGIN

The right engagement depends on what you know—and what still needs to be worked out.

Some businesses need to identify what is breaking and what to fix first. Others know the problem but need a build-ready design. And some already have a clear requirement and are ready to implement.

ClearKnots scopes work around the operational problem—not a fixed software package. The Operations Audit is free and one-time; System Architecture is a paid one-time engagement. Implementation engagements require a three-month minimum so there is time to configure, test, document and refine the agreed system.

Four engagement options

01One-time engagement

Operations Audit

Free

Best for: You can see the symptoms, but the root cause or priorities are unclear.

The free Audit examines how work moves through your business, identifies bottlenecks and ownership gaps, and gives you a prioritized view of what to address next.

Includes

Current-state workflow review
Bottleneck and ownership analysis
Systems and automation review
Prioritized findings
Now / Next / Later roadmap

You leave with: A clearer diagnosis and a practical order of work.

Start the Audit

02One-time engagement

System Architecture

Starting at $697

Best for: You understand the problem but need to decide exactly how the future system should work.

Architecture includes the current-state understanding needed to design a build-ready system. It defines workflows, responsibilities, handoffs, system boundaries and requirements before implementation begins.

Includes

Current-state review needed for the design
Future-state workflow design
Roles, ownership and handoffs
System and tool boundaries
Automation logic and reporting requirements
Phased implementation specification

You leave with: A build-ready design that clarifies what to implement and how the system should operate.

Discuss Architecture

03Three-month minimum

Focused Implementation

Starting at $1,097/month

Minimum engagement value: $3,291

Best for: One clearly defined operating area needs to be built.

ClearKnots implements one agreed operational system, from configuration through testing, documentation and team handover.

Includes

One primary operating area
Workflow and system configuration
Relevant forms, fields, templates or dashboards
Defined automations
Testing and issue refinement
Documentation, team handover and post-launch review

You leave with: A tested, documented system prepared for your team to use.

Discuss Implementation

04Three-month minimum

Connected Operations

Starting at $1,497/month

Minimum engagement value: $4,491

Best for: Several workflows, tools or operating areas need to work together.

ClearKnots connects the agreed workflows and systems into a more visible operating environment, with clear ownership, handoffs and management information.

Includes

Multiple connected workflows
Cross-system handoffs
Automations and exception alerts
Management dashboards
SOPs and system documentation
Ownership guidance, team enablement and optimization during the agreed engagement

You leave with: Connected operating systems designed around the work moving across your business.

Discuss Connected Operations

Full comparison

ClearKnots engagement comparison
Compare	Operations Audit	System Architecture	Focused Implementation	Connected Operations
Best for	Root cause or priorities are unclear	The problem is known; the solution needs to be designed	One operating area needs to be built	Several workflows or systems need to work together
Starting price	Free	$697	$1,097/month	$1,497/month
Engagement model	Free, one-time	One-time	Three-month minimum; $3,291 minimum value	Three-month minimum; $4,491 minimum value
Current-state assessment	Reviews current workflows, systems and ownership	Included as needed to design the future system	As needed to confirm the agreed build	Across the workflows included in scope
Bottleneck / gap analysis	Identifies bottlenecks and ownership gaps	Investigates gaps relevant to the design	Focused on the defined operating area	Across the connected operating areas
Roadmap	Now / Next / Later priorities	Phased implementation specification	Plan for the agreed build	Sequence for connected implementation
Future-state architecture	Recommendations and priorities	Build-ready design	For the defined operating area	Across connected workflows and systems
Implementation	Not included	Not included	One primary operating area	Multiple connected areas
Automation	Opportunities reviewed	Logic defined	Agreed automations implemented	Cross-workflow automations and exception alerts
Reporting	Visibility gaps reviewed	Reporting requirements defined	Included where relevant to the build	Management dashboards within the agreed scope
Documentation	Prioritized findings	Architecture and implementation specification	System documentation	SOPs and system documentation
Handover	Findings review	Architecture review	Team handover	Team enablement and ownership guidance
Optimization	Not included	Not included	Post-launch review and refinement	Optimization across connected systems during the agreed engagement

Operations Audit

Best for: Root cause or priorities are unclear
Starting price: Free
Engagement model: Free, one-time
Current-state assessment: Reviews current workflows, systems and ownership
Bottleneck / gap analysis: Identifies bottlenecks and ownership gaps
Roadmap: Now / Next / Later priorities
Future-state architecture: Recommendations and priorities
Implementation: Not included
Automation: Opportunities reviewed
Reporting: Visibility gaps reviewed
Documentation: Prioritized findings
Handover: Findings review
Optimization: Not included

System Architecture

Best for: The problem is known; the solution needs to be designed
Starting price: $697
Engagement model: One-time
Current-state assessment: Included as needed to design the future system
Bottleneck / gap analysis: Investigates gaps relevant to the design
Roadmap: Phased implementation specification
Future-state architecture: Build-ready design
Implementation: Not included
Automation: Logic defined
Reporting: Reporting requirements defined
Documentation: Architecture and implementation specification
Handover: Architecture review
Optimization: Not included

Focused Implementation

Best for: One operating area needs to be built
Starting price: $1,097/month
Engagement model: Three-month minimum; $3,291 minimum value
Current-state assessment: As needed to confirm the agreed build
Bottleneck / gap analysis: Focused on the defined operating area
Roadmap: Plan for the agreed build
Future-state architecture: For the defined operating area
Implementation: One primary operating area
Automation: Agreed automations implemented
Reporting: Included where relevant to the build
Documentation: System documentation
Handover: Team handover
Optimization: Post-launch review and refinement

Connected Operations

Best for: Several workflows or systems need to work together
Starting price: $1,497/month
Engagement model: Three-month minimum; $4,491 minimum value
Current-state assessment: Across the workflows included in scope
Bottleneck / gap analysis: Across the connected operating areas
Roadmap: Sequence for connected implementation
Future-state architecture: Across connected workflows and systems
Implementation: Multiple connected areas
Automation: Cross-workflow automations and exception alerts
Reporting: Management dashboards within the agreed scope
Documentation: SOPs and system documentation
Handover: Team enablement and ownership guidance
Optimization: Optimization across connected systems during the agreed engagement

The table describes the typical starting scope for each engagement. The approved proposal defines the exact workflows, deliverables and boundaries.

CHOOSE YOUR STARTING POINT

Begin with the question you need answered.

Start with the Audit if the root cause is unclear.

Choose the Operations Audit if symptoms cross workflows or tools, priorities are uncertain, or you need to understand what is breaking before deciding what to build.

Start the Audit

Choose Architecture if the problem is known but the design is not.

Choose System Architecture if you understand the operational problem and need a clear, build-ready design for workflows, responsibilities, handoffs, systems and reporting.

Discuss Architecture

Choose Focused Implementation if one area needs to be built.

Choose Focused Implementation if the requirement is already defined and the work centers on one primary operating area.

Discuss Implementation

Choose Connected Operations when systems must work together.

Choose Connected Operations when work crosses several tools, teams or workflows and the handoffs between them need to be designed and implemented as a connected system.

Discuss Connected Operations

Why implementation has a three-month minimum

Building a working system takes more than configuration.

Implementation includes agreeing the scope, configuring the workflow, testing it against real operating requirements, correcting issues, documenting how the work should run and handing it over to the team. Connected work also requires attention to how responsibilities and information move across systems.

The three-month minimum reserves time for that full implementation cycle. It applies to Focused Implementation and Connected Operations; the free Audit and paid System Architecture remain one-time engagements.

Pricing note

What the starting prices cover

Listed prices establish the starting scope for each engagement. Final pricing depends on the number of workflows, systems, integrations, stakeholders and documentation requirements involved. Software subscriptions and third-party platform charges are not included unless stated in the approved proposal.

Payment is scheduled in three installments against the agreed amount: 40% at the start of the applicable agreement or billing period, 30% 10 days later and the remaining 30% another 10 days later. The approved proposal will state the applicable billing period, amounts, due dates, scope, deliverables and exclusions.

This schedule does not automatically repeat monthly. Any repetition must be defined in the individual client agreement.

40%Commencement
30%10 days later
30%Another 10 days later

Frequently asked questions

Do we need the Audit before implementation?

No. Start with the Audit when the root cause, priorities or requirements are unclear. If you already know what needs to be built, discuss Architecture or Implementation and ClearKnots can confirm the right starting point.

Is the Operations Audit really free?

Yes. The Operations Audit is a free, one-time starting point to identify bottlenecks and priorities. Any subsequent Architecture or Implementation engagement is separately scoped and priced, with no obligation to proceed.

What does the three-month minimum cover?

It covers a minimum three-month implementation engagement, allowing time for the agreed work to be configured, tested, documented, handed over and reviewed. The proposal defines the work and milestones for that period.

How are engagement payments scheduled?

The agreed amount is paid in three installments: 40% at commencement of the applicable agreement or billing period, 30% after 10 days and the final 30% after a further 10 days. The approved proposal confirms which billing period the schedule applies to and all exact due dates. The schedule does not automatically repeat monthly; any repetition is defined in the individual client agreement.

Are software subscriptions included?

No. Software subscriptions and third-party platform charges are separate unless the approved proposal specifically includes them.

Can ClearKnots work within our existing tools?

Yes. ClearKnots can assess your current systems and, where they can support the agreed operating model, design and implement the work within them. Any recommendation to add or change a tool should be tied to a defined operational requirement.

What happens if the project scope changes?

If new requirements affect deliverables, timeline or price, ClearKnots will document the proposed change for review. Additional work begins only after the updated scope is agreed.

Can an engagement expand from one tier into another?

Yes. An Audit may identify a need for Architecture or Implementation. Architecture may lead to a defined build. Any next engagement is separately scoped and approved before that work begins.

The next step

Not sure which engagement fits? Start with the Audit.

The Operations Audit is a clear starting point when the problem or priorities are uncertain. If you already know what needs to be built, discuss the implementation directly.

Start the Audit Discuss Implementation