Not necessarily. An initial consultation can be completed asynchronously using an Intake Form. In many cases we can also complete the Chaos Audit without a phone or video call.
Some clients prefer to work asynchronously by sharing written explanations, screen recordings (for example, Loom videos), and access to relevant files or systems. I review the materials, follow up with clarifying questions as needed, and deliver the same written analysis and recommendations you would receive from a live session.
The process may involve more email exchanges, but it can work well if your schedule or time zone makes meetings difficult.
The standard Chaos Audit typically requires a work session of 30 to 60 minutes and involves concerns that are more straightforward or require fewer steps to address.
The extended Chaos Audit may require up to 90 minutes of work — or, in rare cases, a followup session — and addresses more complex issues.
For example, file system architecture and setting up content management indexing systems normally require no more than a standard Chaos Audit. Devising efficient multi-step workflows, scaffolding style guides, and designing project management procedures and tools will typically require an extended Chaos Audit.
Importantly, you will know ahead of time which type of audit I recommend for you. After the initial consultation, the action plan I send you will include the type of audit I recommend for your situation.
Yes. If you already know you would like to move forward with a Chaos Audit, you can simply complete the Intake Form. I will review the information, ask any necessary clarifying questions, and then provide a scheduling link for the work session.
Before the session, you will receive a short preparation list so we can use our time efficiently.
The goal of the consultation step is simply to confirm that the problem is a good fit for this type of work. If you are already confident about that, we can skip it.
Preparation depends on the type of system we are examining. In many cases, it simply involves providing a clear picture of how things currently work.
You may be asked to provide some combination of the following:
• screen recordings or Loom videos showing current workflows
• view-only access to relevant files or repositories (Google Drive, Dropbox, etc.)
• existing content lists, indexes, or inventories
• notes from team members about points of friction or confusion
• examples of written or visual materials (for branding or style work)
You will receive a short preparation checklist after scheduling.
If needed, yes. After a System Reset where your digital filing system has been created or your content has been fully indexed and tagged, you may like to have me continue doing this work for you. If so, we can discuss a monthly or quarterly review to update your files, indexes, etc., to keep you fully up to date and going smoothly. This work would be quoted and scheduled on an individual basis.
Initial Consultation
Consultation calls re scheduled directly through Calendly. A short intake form should be completed at least 24 hours before the meeting so I can review your situation in advance.
Chaos Audit
Once you request a Chaos Audit, you will receive an invoice for a 50% deposit. After the deposit is paid, you will receive a scheduling link.
If additional preparation is required, you will receive a checklist and any follow-up questions before the session.
The remaining balance is invoiced when the written deliverables are sent.
System Reset / implementation work
System Reset projects are quoted individually after the Chaos Audit. Deposits may be required depending on project scope.
Scheduling, access permissions, and final payment are arranged via email.
I don’t offer automated payment plans, but if you contract me for a System Reset with a cost of $1,000 or more, I may be willing to arrange payments on a monthly basis, upon request.
Yes. In-person sessions are available for an additional fee to account for travel time.
Current travel surcharges:
• Northern San Francisco Bay Area — $125
• Eastern San Francisco Bay Area — $225
• Southern San Francisco Bay Area — $325
Most consulting work can be completed effectively via screen sharing and shared documents, but in-person sessions can be helpful for team workshops or complex organizational systems.
This consulting work is most helpful when the challenge is structural rather than technical.
Common examples include:
• disorganized file systems or shared drives
• recurring projects that reinvent the process each time
• content libraries that are difficult to track or reuse
• workflows that depend heavily on institutional knowledge
• teams that use many tools but still struggle with coordination
If you are unsure whether your situation fits, the Initial Consultation is designed to answer exactly that question.
After the Chaos Audit, you will receive a written action report outlining recommended changes.
Depending on the project, this may include:
• a proposed file or folder structure
• naming conventions or taxonomy
• workflow diagrams
• templates for recurring work
• documentation frameworks
• implementation steps
You can implement the recommendations yourself, or use them as the blueprint for a System Reset engagement.
Usually not — although if you would like a recommendation, feel free to mention that in your intake form.
In most cases the problem is not the tools themselves but the structure surrounding them. My goal is typically to help you use the tools you already have more effectively.
If a tool change would significantly improve the system, I will explain why and suggest options.
Yes. Some engagements involve solo operators managing a large amount of content. Others involve small teams that need clearer structure for collaboration.
When multiple people are involved, I may ask for input from team members so the resulting system works for everyone using it.
That’s very common. Most of the people who seek this type of consulting have been creating and managing content for years without ever having the time to step back and design a clear structure. The result is usually a patchwork of folders, tools, naming conventions, and informal processes that evolved gradually.
The Chaos Audit is designed specifically for situations like this. My role is to map what already exists, identify patterns and friction points, and recommend a structure that makes the system easier to maintain going forward.
You do not need to clean anything up before we start. Seeing how the system actually works is part of the process.
If, after our initial consultation, I tell you that we will need more than one Chaos Audit session, please know it doesn’t mean anything is wrong—and I’m not judging you. The job of the consultation is to accurately assess the scope of work required, help manage expectations, and respect everyone’s time and energy.
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More questions? Email me at kreklau [at] gmail [dot] com