Consulting is a documentation business pretending to be an advisory business. Every insight ships as a PDF. Every PDF is your reputation. A clean workflow is not optional.
Here's the one we've seen work across boutique firms and solo practitioners.
Engagement-first folder structure
`/Engagements/<client>/<engagement>/`, with subfolders: `Inputs`, `Working`, `Deliverables`, `Contracts`. Each engagement is its own world; engagements don't bleed into each other.
`Inputs` = client data and reference. `Working` = drafts. `Deliverables` = signed-off PDFs sent to the client. `Contracts` = MSA, SOW, amendments.
Deliverables compressed and protected
Every PDF sent to a client gets the four-step treatment: edit for final QC, compress to under 10 MB, flatten signatures, and password-protect if sensitive. Treat each deliverable like a brand moment.
For truly sensitive deliverables (M&A, strategy, financials), share via a secure room rather than email. Email is the wrong default for material non-public information.
Watermark drafts; flatten finals
Drafts circulating with the client carry a 'DRAFT' watermark. Finals don't. Add the watermark via Flint's edit tool. The watermark goes when the document is signed off.
The transition from 'draft' to 'final' is a moment worth making explicit — both for you and the client.
Archive engagement at closure
When the engagement closes, zip the entire `/Engagements/<client>/<engagement>/` folder, move to `/Archive/Engagements/<year>/`, and remove from your active workspace. Keep for 7 years.
The archived engagement is your IP record, your liability record, and your case-study source. Lose it and you lose all three.
FAQ
How do I protect my IP in client deliverables?
Flatten the PDF so the client receives pixels, not editable layers. Add a footer watermark with your firm name. Reference your IP terms in the MSA. Three layers of protection.
Should I share decks as PDFs or PowerPoint?
PDF for finals; PowerPoint only when the client explicitly needs to edit. Sending editable decks is sending away your IP.
What about co-authored deliverables with another firm?
Agree on the editing master upfront (theirs or yours). The other party gets a PDF copy for review only. Edit history lives in one place.
How do I handle reusing past deliverable structures for new clients?
Sanitise into a template. Strip the previous client's names, numbers and specifics. Save in `/Templates`. New engagements start from the sanitised template.
Consulting deliverables are your craft visible. A clean PDF workflow makes the craft show. Open Flint and run your next deliverable through the four-step treatment.