Systemic Engineering Terms
They are optional, additive, and revocable by design.
(Supplemental Agreement)
This Supplemental Agreement (“Systemic Terms”) is entered into between:
Client:
[Legal entity name]
[Address]
represented by [Name, Title]
and
Provider:
Alex Wolf (“Provider”)
📧 alex@systemic.engineer
Effective date:
[YYYY-MM-DD]
These Systemic Terms supplement the existing “Socio-Tech SRE Terms (Non-Advisory)” between the parties (“Base Terms”).
If no Base Terms exist, these Systemic Terms have no effect.
1. Purpose
These Systemic Terms govern systemic engineering work performed by the Provider.
Systemic engineering addresses patterns of interaction, decision-making, and constraint that cannot be resolved through task execution alone.
This work is upstream of implementation and delivery.
It is exploratory, integrative, and non-deterministic by nature.
And it may initially increase perceived ambiguity before coherence improves.
2. Nature of the Work
Systemic engineering may include, but is not limited to:
- autonomous observation of the system in operation (e.g. meetings, routines, incidents, escalation paths)
- selective participation for the purpose of pattern detection or intervention
- surfacing implicit constraints, assumptions, and conflicts
- mediation or facilitation where it supports system coherence
- design and proposal of systemic interventions
- written documentation of observations, patterns, and hypotheses
- iterative refinement of understanding in dialogue with the Client
The Provider is authorized to observe, interpret, and name systemic dynamics relevant to the engagement.
The Provider does not guarantee resolution of conflicts or convergence of decisions.
3. Autonomy and Authority
Systemic work requires provider autonomy.
Accordingly:
- the Provider may choose where and how to observe within the agreed system boundary
- the Provider may decline participation that compromises observation quality or safety
- the Provider may surface findings that are uncomfortable, counter-narrative, or inconvenient
The Provider does not hold executive or managerial authority.
Final decisions remain with the Client.
4. Coaching and Individual Work
Systemic engineering may include systemic coaching for individuals or groups within the Client organization.
Such coaching:
- is voluntary
- is confidential within legal limits
- has no reporting obligation to the Client
The Provider maintains a strict separation between:
- individual coaching content, and
- organizational observations or recommendations
Only aggregated and anonymized patterns may inform system-level work.
In some engagements, the Provider may collaborate with an independent diversity-focused social worker who may also provide coaching services.
Such collaboration:
- is disclosed in advance
- occurs only with the Client’s consent
- preserves the independence of each practitioner
Coaching provided by the collaborating social worker is subject to the same principles of voluntariness, confidentiality, and non-reporting as described above.
The collaborating social worker acts independently and is not an employee, subcontractor, or agent of the Provider.
5. Documentation and Language
The Provider may produce written materials such as:
- observation logs
- system maps and models
- decision and escalation analyses
- intervention proposals
- retrospectives and postmortems
- reflective or narrative texts describing systemic dynamics
Language used in such documentation is descriptive, not prescriptive.
Documentation reflects observed patterns and hypotheses, not guarantees of outcome.
6. Fees and Payment
Rates:
Hourly rates are provided upon request and confirmed in writing before work begins.
Invoicing:
[monthly / biweekly], payable within [14] days of invoice date.
Expenses:
Pre-approved, documented expenses (if any) are billed at cost.
Longer commitments:
Reduced rates may apply for engagements of three (3) months or longer, if confirmed in writing.
The Systemic Rate supersedes and replaces any hourly rate previously applicable under the Base Terms for all work performed after the Effective date under these Systemic Terms.
This override does not affect payment obligations accrued prior to the Effective date.
The Client may limit or end systemic scope by terminating these Systemic Terms pursuant to Section 11.
7. Boundaries and Safety
This work is not psychotherapy, medical care, or legal advice.
The Provider may refuse or suspend work if:
- the engagement becomes coercive or abusive
- confidentiality is violated
- illegal activity is requested
- the system prevents coherent or safe work
In such cases, constraints will be communicated and a regulated off-ramp proposed where feasible.
8. Confidentiality
All confidentiality obligations of the Base Terms apply.
In addition:
- coaching content is confidential and not disclosed to the Client
- systemic observations are shared only in aggregated or anonymized form where appropriate
9. Intellectual Property
Engagement-Specific Deliverables:
Unless otherwise agreed, written systemic documentation created for the Client is considered a Client Deliverable under the Base Terms.
Provider Background IP:
All pre-existing methods, models, frameworks, language, and concepts used in systemic engineering remain the property of the Provider.
Where Provider Background IP is embedded, the Client receives a non-exclusive, perpetual internal-use license.
10. Term and Termination
These Systemic Terms:
- enter into force on the Effective date
- run concurrently with the Base Terms unless otherwise agreed
Either party may terminate these Systemic Terms independently with [14/30] days written notice.
Termination of these Systemic Terms does not terminate the Base Terms.
Upon termination:
- systemic work ceases
- confidentiality obligations survive
- previously delivered work remains governed by the Base Terms
11. Precedence
In case of conflict:
- these Systemic Terms govern systemic engineering work and any rates applicable to such work after the Effective date
- the Base Terms govern technical SRE services
- mandatory law prevails
12. Miscellaneous
All miscellaneous provisions of the Base Terms (governing law, venue, assignment, entire agreement, written form) apply mutatis mutandis.