The key to an effective GenAI strategy involves thoughtful organization and quality data. Learn more about
how you can leverage your knowledge assets to greatly enhance the value and quality of your language models.
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The Logic of Value, The Language of Strategy.
At Ground & Form, we turn complexity into clarity. Rooted in enterprise architecture, systems
engineering, knowledge management, and human-centered design thinking, our advisory approach brings precision to interpretation and discipline to
execution. We partner with buy- and sell-side firms, consulting firms, and enterprise leaders in technology and engineering industries
to architect strategies that are not only intelligent—but operationally sound and measurably effective.
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SERVICES
Structured Insight. Measurable Outcomes.
Ground & Form is a strategic advisory firm specializing in complex decision environments—particularly those defined by volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity (VUCA).
We help buy- and sell-side firms, consultancies, and enterprises interpret ambiguity, design resilient systems,
and translate insight into structured execution. Our work spans operational architecture, transformation strategy,
and enterprise thinking—combining system dynamics, strategic frameworks, and design methodology to deliver value you can measure
and structure you can trust.
We specialize in VUCA contexts where traditional linear analysis fails and structured sensemaking becomes a competitive advantage:
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VOLATILITY
We build systems and strategies that absorb shock and maintain coherence under rapid change. By modeling causal loops, feedback
dynamics, and time-sensitive interdependencies, we help clients anticipate inflection points, implement optimization guardrails, and structure
responses that retain optionality without overcommitting.
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UNCERTAINTY
We help organizations act decisively even when outcomes can't be predicted. We develop frameworks that structure ambiguity into
actionable paths—emphasizing decision quality over illusionary certainty. We recognize thinking, strategy, and optimization are only so useful as
their ability to facilitate making real-world decisions.
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COMPLEXITY
We decode complexity through systems dynamics, conceptual modeling, and structured analysis. Using formal methods like System Dynamics, SysML,
UAF, and BPMN, we make hidden dependencies visible and value flows traceable. This allows our clients to operate with
clarity in environments with multiple stakeholders, feedback loops, and evolving constraints.
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AMBIGUITY
We interpret ambiguous signals and competing narratives to surface actionable meaning. Leveraging design thinking, knowledge
management, and interpretive modeling, we help leadership teams align around shared understanding—resolving conceptual drift
and enabling coherent execution across disciplines.
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ADVISORY
Trusted insight, grounded in logic.
We advise leaders navigating investment, transformation, and strategic change. Our advisory
engagements emphasize structured reasoning, deep client partnership, and pragmatic judgment. We don’t just offer
opinions—we offer interpretation rooted in evidence and logic, tailored to your specific systems and constraints.
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STRATEGY
Designed for reality. Aligned with performance.
Our strategy work is grounded in how systems behave—not just how they look on paper. We build strategies
that account for constraints, feedback loops, and execution pathways. Whether supporting growth planning, restructuring, or operational
improvement, we ensure strategy is both logically sound and performance-ready.
We provide strategic advice relating to:
IT Demand Shaping & Steering
OT & IT Technology Due-Diligence Reporting
Strategic Technology Roadmapping
Continuous Improvement/Continuous Delivery
KSAO Analysis & Planning
Change Management
Lean Process Strategy
Project & Program Management
Third-Party Oversight
Procurement - Indirect & Direct IT Sourcing Strategy
Procurement - Professional Services Category Management
Professional Services Supplier Contract Review & Audit
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THINKING
Making complexity knowable. Making insight usable.
We help organizations make sense of the unseen. Using leading thought strategies, we create interpretive
structures that surface meaning, align teams, and support higher-quality decisions. Whether refining an enterprise model or unblocking
mental traps in transformation efforts, we bring rigorous frameworks to unstructured problems.
In our approach to complex socio-technical problems, we pull from several proven frameworks and methodologies for creative
and non-linear problem solving. This includes systems thinking, human-centered design thinking, knowledge management, knowledge translation,
the switch change management framework, appreciative inquiry, the 7-S model, inverse conway maneuver, participatory action research, ethnographic research,
translational research, ontologic mapping & integration, model-based systems engineering, and more.
We are trained and specialized in rigorous and mathematically-based
tools for implementing thought work. We leverage leading tools for systems thinking such as system dynamics (vensim, stella) and design
structure matrices (lattix), and leading software (confluence, notion, loop) and integration to enable and enhance knowledge management practice. Using
these tools, we can discover hidden, nonlinear, and complex patterns, feedback cycles, and narratives in your organization. Through translational
social research, we can craft actionable strategies that your organization can rally behind and fully embrace.
Services Offered:
Systems Thinking (Systems Dynamics in Vensim and Custom Management Flight Simulators)
Human-Centered Design Thinking
Knowledge Management
Knowledge Translation & Translational Research
Ethnographic and Participatory Research
Business Ontology & Taxonomy
Ontologic Integration & Mapping
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ARCHITECTURE
Structuring operations, decisions, and value flows.
We design and refine enterprise and systems architecture to bring clarity, traceability,
and strategic alignment to complex organizations. Using formal meta-modeling standards
we map operational logic, decision pathways, and technology structure across the enterprise stack. Our
work bridges the gap between strategy and execution by making implicit systems into explicit and contextualized conceptual models—whether modeling value chains,
digital transformation blueprints, or mission-critical architectures. We support clients in building architectures that
are not only compliant and interpretable, but actionable and performance-driven.
Services Offered:
UML 2.x (Unified Modeling Language, for general modeling)
SysML (Systems Modeling Language, for systems modeling)
UAFML (Unified Architectural Framework Modeling Language - for DoDAF, MoDAF, NAF, TOGAF architecture modeling)
ERM (ERD) (Entity Relationship Model - Martin/ISO/UML/Bachman, for DDL & schema engineering)
BPMN (Business Process Model & Notation - ISO/IEC 19510, for structured business process management)
CMMN (Case Management Model & Notation - for dynamic & ad-hoc process management)
DMN (Decision Model & Notation - for decision requirements decomposition)
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EDUCATION
Contextualized, strategy aligned learning. Focus on what matters.
Ground & Form offers education and instructional design services focused on enabling systems literacy, strategic
reasoning, and technical fluency. We develop curriculum, training programs, and custom learning experiences that build capabilities in decision
systems, enterprise architecture, and applied problem solving. Whether developing asynchronous eLearning or in-depth instructional modules, our
approach integrates cognitive science, learning theory, and systems modeling to support transformational capability development.
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WORKSHOPS & TRAINING
Experiential and Consequential Learning. Custom Sandbox Environments. Professional Atmosphere.
We deliver custom workshops that empower teams to think across boundaries and design with purpose. Our sessions provide
hands-on, practitioner-level training in systems thinking, design thinking, knowledge management, systems development, architectural modeling, and
software development methods. Participants leave with conceptual clarity, shared vocabulary, and tools they can apply immediately—grounded in
practical use cases and aligned with your organization’s goals. Whether for strategic onboarding, transformation support, or leadership development,
our workshops make systemic thinking actionable.
Our pedagogical approach combines a formal, lecture-based approach with experiential, consequential, and guided learning. We provide fundamental
concepts and temrinology, but ensure that each workshop leverages principles of social constructionism and a human-centered design thinking approach to meet participants
where they're at. We seek to involve participants in the learning by providing a curriculum and teaching style that encourages cross-functional collaboration
of participants across roles, teams, departments, and organizational boundaries. We understand that each participant has a unique background. In order
to facilitate learning for each participant, we provide accountability for the learning process to participants, to develop ownership over their own learning
of the curriculum, what is most important within the content, and how it applies to their own work, role, team, or organization. We enhance training with project-based
workshops, centered around real use-cases and work environments, and simulating real client situations developed through ethnographic and participatory action research among
course participants and management.
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CURRICULUM REVIEW
Objectives that tie to outcomes. Roadmaps for effective cognition. Expert insights.
Ground & Form provides a rigorous, three-step quality assurance process for evaluating educational content and eLearning. Our
approach combines learning science, systems analysis, and technical accuracy to ensure materials meet both instructional and operational standards:
Objectives Review & Meta-Analysis: We evaluate alignment between instructional goals, outcomes, and cognitive intent—ensuring clarity and coherence across the curriculum.
Knowledge Abstraction & Cognitive Analysis: Using Revised Bloom’s Taxonomy, we assess knowledge structures, cognitive levels, and sequencing logic to ensure learners progress meaningfully through levels of understanding.
Technical & Expert Review: We perform a detailed technical validation and usability check, integrating subject-matter expert feedback, accessibility compliance, and performance readiness.
This process supports high-quality learning products that are scalable, standards-aligned, and built for real-world performance.
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TEAM
Andy Hillier, Founder & Lead Advisor
Colorado State University:
Ph.D. Candidate, Systems Engineering
The University of Akron:
M.S. Management, Business Analytics - Information Systems Concentration
M.S. Accountancy - Information Systems Concentration
B.S. Geology - Geophysics Concentration
Andy brings a decade of experience to advisory, blending deep technical insight from solution architecture
and systems integration with pragmatic advisory experience in a wide variety of industries and scales of business, including work experience at prestigous global accounting, consulting, engineering, and analytics firms. As a
Consultant, he currently educates on and develops curriculum for the integration of predictive modeling and decision support systems into complex organizational
environments. With dual M.S. degrees in Accountancy and Management both concentrated on Information Systems Management, and currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Systems Engineering at Colorado
State University, Andy specializes in designing and interpreting socio-technical systems that bridge strategy, technology, and governance.
He also has taught and developed extensive curriculum for business application development and back-end systems integration at the
University of Akron, fostering the next generation of consultants and developers. Andy’s work is grounded in formal conceptual and statistical modeling, structured
analysis, and outcome-driven frameworks—making him a key asset for advisory engagements that require rigor, clarity, and measurable impact.
In addition to Andy's education and experience, he has obtained several graduate, industry, and technical certifications throughout his career:
At Ground & Form, our pricing model reflects the way we work: logically structured, performance-aligned, and built
for transparency. Our approach is designed to ensure payment is tied to impact you can trace—and results you can trust.
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ADVISORY PRICING
Fixed Retainer + Performance-Based Fee
For advisory engagements, Ground & Form combines a monthly fixed-fee retainer with a
contingency-based performance fee to align effort with measurable impact:
The retainer ensures availability, strategic continuity, and access to systems expertise throughout the engagement.
The performance fee is based on a percentage of verified value delivered—such as cost savings, revenue uplift, or efficiency gains—validated jointly using pre-defined and easily measurable KPIs and SLAs.
This model ensures payment is tied to the real, measurable, and attributable results we deliver.
If you prefer a flat-fee contract for a set amount of service hours, we are always open to contract negotiation and individualized pay structures with your procurement and legal team.
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PROJECT PRICING
Budget-Based Fee Model with Transparent Components
For project-based engagements—including architectural services, technology development and implementation, programs, workshops, instructional coaching, instructional design, and curriculum review—fees
are structured around a project-based budget and billed according to clearly-defined activity types:
Hourly rates for implementation, development, instructional time, curriculum development, coordination, and administrative services.
Pre-approved expense budgets for travel, lodging, per diem meals, and on-site meetings & delivery where required.
Technical infrastructure costs, including sandbox or simulated learning environments, cloud infrastructure, digital delivery platforms, or specialized modeling tools.
Materials and licensing, when applicable, for educational content, assessments, third-party services, hosting, or tools integrated into the learning process.
Each engagement includes a detailed budget estimate and delivery timeline, with flexibility for modular rollout or milestone-based phasing.
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AUDIT & PRIVACY
Open and transparent model. Protected IP that follows your company's standards.
We understand that your IP and data is valuable, and want to be able to provide you the best service possible. For that reason, when possible,
we will work with your team to keep all of your data internal to your system and only access it through the approved, authenticated channels. When possible,
we can work with your team to implement sandbox environments, software, or other necessary items for training. During and throughout training, we are open to
an audit process that ensures transparency surrounding any potential use of all parties' IP:
Monthly audits for advisory engagements.
Post-engagement audits for project-based engagements.
On-request audits for all reasonable and legitimate purposes.
Controlled-access and administration for all provided services, software, and infrastructure where requested.
