Understanding Projects vs. Standard Support
Projects are initiatives that:
- Take 8
hours or more to complete
- Involve project
management from multiple Framework IT team members
- Include
moves, additions, or changes to core infrastructure
- Impact more
than one user or your overall technology environment
Examples of projects include:
- Replacing
or installing new networking hardware
- Migrating
from Google Workspace to Microsoft 365
- Moving
servers to the cloud
- Building
a SharePoint intranet
- Installing
internet connections at new office locations
- Network
upgrades and cloud migrations
- Software
implementations
- Multi-location
deployments
What's NOT a project:
- Routine
support for incidents (service interruptions)
- Moves,
Adds, and Changes (MACs) like employee onboarding, software installations
for single users, or minor configuration changes
How Projects Are Managed
1. Planning & Scoping
Your vCIO (virtual Chief Information Officer) works
with you to:
- Identify
project needs during Strategic Business Reviews or ad-hoc discussions
- Define
clear scope, objectives, and deliverables
- Develop
timeline estimates
- Provide
detailed cost quotes
- Ensure
alignment with your Business Optimization Roadmap and technology strategy
Important: All project work requires explicit
approval from your designated authorized billable approver before work
begins—part of Framework IT's No Surprise Billing Guarantee.
2. Dedicated Project Management
Framework IT assigns a dedicated Project Manager to
coordinate larger initiatives, ensuring:
- Clear
communication and milestone tracking
- Coordination
with your internal stakeholders
- Progress
reviews and blocker resolution
- Change
management planning and user training
- Quality
assurance and documentation
3. Project Execution
Your project team includes:
- vCIO: Strategic
oversight and business alignment
- Project
Manager: Day-to-day coordination and timeline management
- Client
Lead Engineer (CLE): Technical expertise and historical context
- Specialized
Engineers: Network administrators, cloud architects, systems
administrators (depending on project type)
- Help
Desk Team/Pod: Post-implementation support
4. Project Meetings
For larger projects, Framework IT schedules dedicated
meetings to:
- Review
project scope, timeline, and deliverables
- Discuss
progress, milestones, and blockers
- Coordinate
with your internal stakeholders
- Plan
for change management and user training
Two Service Plan Options for Projects
Standard Managed IT Services Plan
- Larger
projects are scoped and quoted separately on a
project-by-project basis
- You
receive a detailed proposal with timeline and cost before work begins
- This
approach provides transparency and control over project spending
Enhanced Managed Services Plan
- Unlimited
project work included in your monthly fee
- No
separate project scoping or approval required for IT initiatives
- Simplified
budgeting with predictable monthly costs
- Priority
scheduling for major technology improvements
Who benefits from the Enhanced Plan?
- Organizations
with frequent technology changes or infrastructure improvements
- Multi-location
operations requiring ongoing standardization
- Companies
with aggressive growth plans requiring continuous IT expansion
- Organizations
preferring predictable monthly costs over variable project invoicing
Cost Considerations: The Enhanced Plan carries a
higher monthly fee but eliminates variable project costs. Your vCIO can help
evaluate whether this makes financial sense based on your anticipated project
volume.
Multi-Location Project Experience
Framework IT has extensive experience with complex,
multi-location deployments:
Example Projects:
- VC-Funded
Primary Care Startup (70 facilities): Designed standardized
templates and deployed technology at all locations without causing opening
delays
- Cannabis
Company (50+ locations): Standardized retail and grow facility
technology (company later acquired by largest cannabis company in North
America)
- Primary
Care Provider (12+ locations): Currently designing and
implementing network infrastructure for approximately a dozen new
locations
Multi-Location Project Process:
- Design
& Planning: Create standardized technology blueprints with
site-specific customization
- Vendor
Coordination: Manage ISP installations, equipment procurement,
shipping logistics
- Pre-Configuration: Configure
equipment at Framework IT's facility to reduce onsite time
- Onsite
Implementation: Deploy via Technical Account Managers or local
field technicians
- Testing
& Documentation: Verify functionality and document
configurations
- Go-Live
Support: Provide hands-on support during transition
Cost Range: Multi-location deployments typically
range from $10,000 to $60,000 per location, depending on:
- Office
size and user count
- Network
complexity and equipment needs
- ISP
installation requirements
- Physical
infrastructure (cabling, conference room technology, access control)
- Specialized
or industry-specific equipment
Smaller satellite offices typically fall on the lower end of
this range.
Project Support from Your Account Team
vCIO (Virtual Chief Information Officer):
- Strategic
planning and technology roadmap development
- Project
prioritization and business alignment
- Vendor
selection and contract negotiation
- Budget
forecasting and cost-benefit analysis
Project Manager:
- Day-to-day
coordination and timeline management
- Stakeholder
communication and meeting facilitation
- Resource
allocation and blocker resolution
- Quality
assurance and deliverable tracking
Client Lead Engineer (CLE):
- Technical
validation and feasibility assessment
- Historical
context and environment knowledge
- Solution
design and architecture review
- Post-project
knowledge transfer
Specialized Engineers:
- Hands-on
implementation and configuration
- Testing
and quality assurance
- Documentation
and training
- Post-implementation
support
Best Practices for Project Success
✅ Engage your vCIO early to
ensure proper planning and resource allocation
✅ Define clear success criteria and acceptance
requirements
✅ Allocate internal resources for
decision-making, testing, and training
✅ Plan for change management to ensure user
adoption
✅ Schedule around business cycles to minimize
disruption
✅ Document everything for future reference and
knowledge transfer
Key Differentiators
Why Framework IT's Project Approach Works:
- Strategic
Alignment: Projects align with your Business Optimization Roadmap
and long-term technology strategy
- Dedicated
Resources: Your consistent account team (vCIO, CLE, Project
Manager) ensures continuity and context
- Transparent
Pricing: Detailed quotes with no surprise billing
- Proven
Experience: Successful multi-location deployments and complex
migrations
- Post-Project
Support: Your Help Desk Team/Pod provides ongoing support after
go-live
The Framework IT team is here to help you make informed IT decisions and build a strategy that supports your business goals.
Call 312-564-5446 or book your FREE Initial Consult to connect with our team.
