The Axis Method is the engagement structure underneath every fractional COO retainer at Obsidian Axis Group. It is sequential, each stage gates the next, and the explicit deliverable of the entire engagement is hand-off, not a strategy artifact.
Sequential, with explicit exit criteria.
- Diagnose (weeks 1–4), operational map, waste inventory, decision-routing graph.
- Stabilize (weeks 4–10), fix the highest-leverage broken process; interim SOPs in use.
- Document (weeks 10–16), permanent SOPs, KPI definitions, decision trees, escalation paths.
- Hand-off (weeks 16–22), in-house team runs the documented system; we shadow, then exit.
- Compound (quarterly), the discipline persists past the engagement; optional check-ins.
Hand-off is the deliverable.
Most operations consulting reverses this, strategy deck first, leave the team to execute. The Axis Method puts hand-off at the center; everything before is preparation. The engagement is over when the company runs without us.
Post-acquisition and LMM.
The methodology was designed for $10M–$100M operators, particularly post-acquisition situations and PE portfolio companies. It is not a fit for pre-revenue startups or $500M+ enterprise transformations.
See also.
- The Axis Method pillar page, full methodology in detail
- Fractional COO Services, engagement pricing and scope
- Operational waste, measured during diagnose
Talk through it.
If any of this is relevant to where you are, book a 30-minute scoping call. No pitch deck.