The model
Three ways to engage
senior IT expertise.
The right model depends on the problem. Not every situation requires a permanent hire, and not every situation is suited to a project engagement. The distinction between the three tends to come down to scope and depth of involvement.
Project-based
Ongoing
Model one
Project
Consultant
Scope
Defined deliverable. Ends when the output is complete.
Involvement
Task-focused. Limited visibility into the wider business context.
Duration
Project timeline only.
Cost
Project rate. Higher day rate, lower total commitment.
How Layered Grey engages
Fractional CIO
/ Head of IT
Scope
Right-sized to the situation. Can be time-bounded, ongoing, or outcome-defined.
Involvement
Embedded. Thinks and operates as part of the leadership team, not alongside it.
Duration
Typically six months or more. The right length depends on what the engagement requires.
Cost
Fractional overhead. Senior thinking without a full-time salary, benefits, or notice period.
Model three
Full-Time
Hire
Scope
Permanent ownership of the IT function from day one.
Involvement
Fully embedded by definition. The IT function is theirs to run.
Duration
Permanent. Three to six months to recruit at this level is common.
Cost
Full salary, benefits, and on-costs from the point of hire.
Most organizations reach a point where one model no longer fits. That transition is often the right moment to have a conversation.