ADR-007 — Keep client fees confidential in public case studies

Context#

An early draft of the site case study displayed the engagement fee as a headline figure.

Two problems. Commercially, every subsequent prospect anchors to that number — including those who would have paid several times more. This is the same mechanism that made the $29 tier damaging (ADR-004), wearing the costume of a proof point.

Separately, disclosing what a specific identifiable client paid is a confidentiality matter requiring their consent.

Decision#

No fee figures in any public case study. The card displays "Confidential — Fixed Scope."

The only public price is the forward-looking floor, which is tied to no individual client.

Client identity is used only with explicit written permission. Absent permission, the case study names the industry only.

Consequences#

• No downward anchor from past work
• Confidentiality obligations satisfied
• Slightly weaker proof — mitigated by describing scope and technical depth instead of price
• Formalised in the published Terms, Section 6.5

Related#

The client testimonial and naming permission remain outstanding as of this record.