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Fixed project vs retainer
For booking, logistics and field-service operators, choose a fixed project when you have one defined outcome—a booking workflow redesign, clearer capacity view, or a process change with a clear finish line. Choose a retainer when ongoing optimisation is the priority and opportunities will keep appearing as the business grows. Either way, engagements can exit when targets are met; there is no lock-in.
Side by side
| Dimension | Fixed project | Retainer |
|---|---|---|
| Who owns the day | You own the day; we deliver one scoped improvement | You own the day; we continuously improve agreed areas |
| Cost shape | Fixed fee for a pre-defined outcome | Ongoing fee for continuous optimisation |
| Control | Scope locked; changes go through a clear change path | Priorities can evolve as new bottlenecks appear |
| What stays with the team | The delivered change and how to run it after exit | Compounding improvements plus knowledge transfer |
| When it fits | One known problem with a clear finish line | Ongoing capacity, visibility or cost improvement is the goal |
Who owns the day
Fixed project: You own the day; we deliver one scoped improvement
Retainer: You own the day; we continuously improve agreed areas
Cost shape
Fixed project: Fixed fee for a pre-defined outcome
Retainer: Ongoing fee for continuous optimisation
Control
Fixed project: Scope locked; changes go through a clear change path
Retainer: Priorities can evolve as new bottlenecks appear
What stays with the team
Fixed project: The delivered change and how to run it after exit
Retainer: Compounding improvements plus knowledge transfer
When it fits
Fixed project: One known problem with a clear finish line
Retainer: Ongoing capacity, visibility or cost improvement is the goal
When to choose
Choose a fixed project when
- You can name the outcome and success criteria up front
- You want predictable scope and investment
- You need a specific improvement delivered, then a clean handback
Choose a retainer when
- Operational improvement is an ongoing priority, not a one-off
- Opportunities evolve as volume, crews or channels change
- You want continuous optimisation with clear exit when targets are met
Related
FAQ
Is a retainer a lock-in?+
No. Success targets are defined up front. Systems and learnings are handed to your team, and you can exit when targets are met or priorities change.
Can we start fixed and move to retainer?+
Yes. Many operators start with a fixed project on the highest-impact workflow, then continue with a retainer only if ongoing optimisation still makes sense.
Does every retainer start with an assessment?+
Often yes—so baseline, priorities and success metrics are clear. If diagnosis is already done, you can agree a retainer scope from that baseline.
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A short conversation is enough to see which path fits your booking, scheduling or field operation.
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