Our Services: How We Work Together
Most engagements begin with our Education Course, followed by Assessment, then transformation implementation. You control the pace and scope at every step.
Operational Intelligence Foundations
Education Course
Duration
2-day intensive workshop
Hands-on training for cross-functional teams on the four domains framework. Learn spec-first thinking, process redesign principles, and how to assess your operational readiness. Identify pilot opportunities and build shared language across IT, Operations, and Business teams.
Key Deliverables
- Four Domains assessment workbook (completed)
- Pilot project brief template with 1-3 opportunities identified
- Operational readiness scorecard (self-scored)
- Implementation playbook (take-home guide)
Outcome
Team has shared language and identified specific operational challenges to solve
Operational Readiness Assessment
Expert Diagnosis & Roadmap
Duration
4-6 weeks
Deep-dive assessment across all four domains with on-site/remote interviews, workflow observation, and system analysis. We validate opportunities identified in the Education Course and provide expert diagnosis with a prioritized transformation roadmap.
Key Deliverables
- Comprehensive readiness report (50-80 pages)
- Prioritized roadmap with effort/impact matrix
- Detailed pilot project proposal (ready to approve)
- Executive briefing deck
- Risk register and mitigation strategies
Outcome
Board-ready business case with specific project scoped and ready to launch
Domain Transformation
Implementation Programs
Duration
5-12 months
Full implementation following our three-phase methodology (Assess → Build → Sustain). Choose Single Domain (5-6 months) to prove ROI with one operational area, or Multi-Domain Integration (9-12 months) to scale across 2-3 domains with enterprise orchestration.
Key Deliverables
- Domain(s) running in production with measurable improvements
- Custom orchestration layer and system integrations
- Trained internal team (can maintain and evolve independently)
- Implementation playbook and measurement framework
- Ongoing optimization and capability transfer support
Outcome
Production-ready operational intelligence with internal capability to scale
Ready to start your transformation journey?
Schedule a 30-minute fit call to discuss your challenges and determine which path is right for your organization.
The ACORN Transformation Methodology
Five phases that turn operational chaos into competitive advantage. Each transformation engagement follows this proven framework, customized to your specific challenges.
Assess
Diagnose current operations and identify critical gaps. Build the blueprint for sustainable growth.
Operational Health Check
Uncover hidden inefficiencies costing you 15-30% of revenue
Gap Analysis
Identify what's blocking your next growth milestone before it's too late
Risk Mitigation
Spot vulnerabilities before they become million-dollar problems
Strategic Roadmap
Get a clear 90-day action plan instead of endless firefighting
Clarify
Document processes and establish clear operational standards. Create transparency across all functions.
Process Documentation
Convert tribal knowledge into transferable assets that increase company valuation
Role Architecture
Eliminate the confusion and conflict that kills productivity
Workflow Standardization
Reduce errors by 75% through consistent execution standards
Operational Transparency
Give your leadership team real-time visibility instead of weekly surprises
Optimize
Implement intelligent automation and eliminate inefficiencies. Focus your team on strategic initiatives.
Strategic Automation
Reclaim 20+ hours per week for your highest performers
System Integration
Connect your tech stack to eliminate duplicate data entry and human error
Resource Liberation
Stop paying six-figure salaries for three-figure tasks
ROI Acceleration
See measurable efficiency gains within 30 days, not someday
Refine
Establish metrics and performance tracking. Use data to drive continuous improvement.
KPI Architecture
Track profit and cash flow drivers, not vanity metrics
Performance Dashboards
Make decisions on real-time data, not gut feelings
Accountability Systems
Create a culture where results are visible and celebrated
Continuous Optimization
Build improvement into your DNA, not your to-do list
Nurture
Scale systems as your business grows. Build adaptive operations that evolve with market demands.
Scalability Planning
Build operations that handle 10x growth without 10x complexity
Team Development
Create leaders who can grow the business, not just run it
Agile Infrastructure
Respond to market changes in days, not quarters
Sustainable Excellence
Build a business that thrives without burning out your best people
How ACORN integrates with your transformation
During transformation engagements (Single Domain or Multi-Domain Integration), we guide you through all five ACORN phases, customizing depth and scope to your specific challenges. A single domain transformation focuses these phases on one operational area over 5-6 months. Multi-domain integration applies them across 2-3 domains over 9-12 months with coordinated rollout.
Proven Results Across Industries
Real implementations, real outcomes. These case studies represent anonymized clients who transformed stalled AI initiatives into operational systems.
Starting Point
Claims Processing Time: 14 days average with 62% manual review bottleneck
Outcomes Achieved
3.2 days
Average claims processing time
89% reduction
Manual review requirements
4.8x ROI
In first 6 months of operation
"We spent two years trying to automate claims processing with off-the-shelf AI tools. Nothing stuck until Charter Oak mapped our actual workflow logic. They found that 70% of delays were coordination failures, not technology gaps. Six months later, we process claims in days instead of weeks."
— VP Operations, Regional Health Network (850+ employees)
Starting Point
Loan Application Decision Time: 12 days with 8 handoffs across 4 departments
Outcomes Achieved
90 minutes
Average decision time for standard applications
76% reduction
Application abandonment rate
3.5x increase
Loan origination volume with same team size
"Our CEO mandated AI adoption, but our underwriting teams were terrified of black-box decisions. Charter Oak built a spec-driven orchestration layer where underwriters define approval logic, and AI executes it consistently. Accuracy went up, anxiety went down. That combination is what made this work."
— Chief Risk Officer, Community Bank ($2.1B assets)
Starting Point
Production Planning Cycle: 21 days with manual coordination across 6 sites
Outcomes Achieved
5 days
Production planning cycle time
34% improvement
On-time delivery performance
$2.4M annual
Reduction in expedited shipping costs
"We had 6 regional plants all running their own spreadsheets. "AI" meant trying to get everyone to adopt a new platform they didn't trust. Charter Oak instead built coordination intelligence that reads their existing systems and flags conflicts in real-time. Adoption was 100% because we didn't disrupt their workflow—we augmented it."
— SVP Operations, Industrial Equipment Manufacturer (1,400 employees)
Want to Speak with a Reference?
We can connect you with IT leaders who have completed similar transformations. Hear directly from them about what worked, what didn't, and whether our approach is right for your context.
All case studies based on actual client engagements, 2023-2024. Company names, specific metrics, and identifying details have been anonymized to protect client confidentiality. Outcomes represent measured results 6 months post-implementation.
Evidence & Proof Points
Our approach is backed by analysis of real-world implementations, not theoretical frameworks.
Based on analysis of 847 enterprise implementations and 2,341 SMB adoptions across 14 industries, 2020-2024. Primary sources: BCG AI Value Realization Study (2024), U.S. Census Bureau Business Trends Survey, McKinsey State of AI Report, Gartner Digital Transformation Research.
Questions IT Leaders Ask
We've answered the 21 most common questions from IT leaders evaluating operational AI transformation. Specific answers, no consulting speak.
Getting Started
3 questions
Team & Resources
3 questions
Technology & Integration
3 questions
Business Case & ROI
4 questions
Change Management
4 questions
Governance & Risk
4 questions
Still have questions?
Schedule a 30-minute fit call. We'll discuss your specific context and determine if this approach makes sense for your organization. No sales pressure, just honest conversation.
Start with a 30-Minute Fit Call
No sales pressure. No commitment. Just an honest conversation about whether operational AI transformation makes sense for your organization.
On the call, we'll discuss your current AI initiatives, where they're stalling, and whether our approach to operational readiness and process redesign is the right fit for your challenges.
Companies that assess operational readiness before AI deployment are 2.5x more likely to achieve scaled adoption within 12 months compared to technology-first approaches.
— Deloitte State of AI in the Enterprise (2024)
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