Part-Time CIO Services

At CIO Northwest, we offer fractional CIO services designed specifically for small and mid-sized organizations in the Columbia Gorge. You get executive-level IT leadership—without the full-time cost or complexity. We help you make confident, informed decisions about your technology, vendors, infrastructure, and projects, all while aligning IT with your business goals.

Whether you need a long-term advisor or short-term direction, we provide the clarity and experience to move your organization forward.

Here’s how we help.

We typically begin with a stand-alone Discovery & Roadmap to uncover issues and chart a clear path forward. Ongoing support is optional and adaptable, whether you need quick guidance or continued advisory over time.

1.

Discovery & Roadmap

Most engagements start here. In just 2–3 weeks, we assess your business, technology, and pain points to create a clear, actionable roadmap tailored to your goals.

Includes:

  • Stakeholder interviews

  • System and process evaluation

  • Risk and gap identification

  • Prioritized recommendations

  • Clear next steps for support or execution

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2.

Monthly Retainer

For ongoing needs, our monthly retainer provides consistent, part-time CIO leadership without the cost of a full-time hire.

Includes:

  • Ongoing IT strategy and planning

  • Vendor and MSP coordination

  • Project oversight and risk management

  • Internal team support and advisory

  • Regular check-ins and executive updates

or

3.

Ad-Hoc Support

For short-term or focused needs, ad-hoc support blocks offer flexible access to expert guidance—no long-term commitment required.

Best for:

  • Quick audits or assessments

  • Vendor or contract reviews

  • One-time planning or decision support

  • Urgent project troubleshooting

  • Second opinions on IT strategy

More About CIO Services

  • Clear Plans for Complex Environments
    We’ve worked through tangled systems, legacy software, and tight budgets. CIO Northwest creates realistic, step-by-step plans to modernize your infrastructure, address bottlenecks, and make sure IT decisions are grounded in real-world constraints—not just big ideas.

  • We Know the Playbook—and the Pitfalls
    From missed SLAs to finger-pointing between vendors, we’ve seen it all. We step in to hold MSPs and tech vendors accountable, streamline communication, and make sure you’re getting the service you’re paying for. No spin. No surprises. See MSP Help.

  • Project Navigation +

    Untangling the Tough Stuff
    We specialize in guiding organizations through messy IT projects—migrations, integrations, transitions, and everything in between. Whether it’s salvaging a stalled rollout or preventing one from going off the rails, we bring experience that keeps things moving and avoids expensive mistakes.

  • Working Alongside Your Team
    We’re not here to replace your staff—we’re here to strengthen what’s already working. Whether your internal IT team needs backup, guidance, or a second opinion, we plug in where needed and help navigate challenges without ego or overreach.

Independent Guidance - The Advantage

Strategic IT Planning

We help you map out a technology roadmap that supports your goals—not just IT for IT’s sake. Whether you're scaling up or stabilizing, we ensure your tech evolves with your business.

IT Budgeting & Vendor Oversight

We assist with IT budgeting, cost control, and evaluating MSPs, cloud platforms, software subscriptions, and hardware decisions—always with your best interests in mind.

Project Oversight

Need help navigating a software change, a network overhaul, or a tech remodel? We lead projects from a business-first perspective—helping you avoid scope creep, miscommunication, and costly delays.

MSP & Vendor Coordination

With 11+ years in the MSP space and local connections across the Gorge, we speak your vendors' language and help you get the service, pricing, and performance your business deserves. See MSP HELP.

Security & Risk Guidance

We don’t install firewalls, but we’ll help you assess risks, guide security policy decisions, and keep leadership informed about what really matters.

Decision Support for Leadership

From “Should we move to the cloud?” to “Why is this taking so long?”—we’re your second opinion, translator, and advocate in all things tech.

Local Knowledge, Real-World Solutions

We’re not flying in from a metro area or pushing enterprise fluff. We live and work in the Gorge, and we know what works for Gorge-based organizations. If we don’t know the answer, we know someone nearby who does.