How is a retainer different from a project?

A project has a fixed scope and finish line. A retainer is ongoing: you secure a defined amount of senior time each month on a rolling basis.

Is there a minimum commitment?

Usually a short one, often around three months, so the work has time to take effect and compound.

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Retainer

Also known as: monthly retainer

A retainer is an ongoing arrangement where a client pays a regular fee for a set amount of a professional's time or availability each month.

Key takeaways

A retainer is an ongoing arrangement paying a regular fee for a set amount of time or availability each month.
It gives continuity and priority access, and lets the work compound rather than restart.
Retainers usually carry a short minimum term because operational change takes months to hold.

A retainer is how most fractional engagements are structured. Rather than paying per project, the client secures a defined amount of senior time each month on a rolling basis. It gives the business continuity and priority access, and gives the work time to compound rather than starting from scratch each time.

Retainers usually carry a short minimum term, because operational change needs a few months to take hold. See the engagement models on the How I work page.

Commonly confused with

Statement of work

An SOW defines a scoped project. A retainer is an ongoing time-based arrangement.

Frequently asked

How is a retainer different from a project?: A project has a fixed scope and finish line. A retainer is ongoing: you secure a defined amount of senior time each month on a rolling basis.
Is there a minimum commitment?: Usually a short one, often around three months, so the work has time to take effect and compound.

Related terms

Fractional COO Statement of Work (SOW)

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