# Fortman Digital — full reference

## Identity

- Name: Fortman Digital
- Founder: Cole Fortman
- Location: Chicago, Illinois
- Service area: United States
- Website: https://www.fortmanconsulting.com
- Email: hello@fortmandigital.com

Fortman Digital helps small teams turn scattered operational work into clear, maintainable systems. The approach begins with the workflow rather than a predetermined tool.

## Working principles

1. Map the work before choosing software.
2. Use the smallest useful system.
3. Automate stable, observable work.
4. Keep people responsible for judgment and exceptions.
5. Include documentation, training, and handoff.
6. Recommend a simpler process or no new software when that is the better answer.

## Common visitor problems

### Spreadsheet chaos

URL: https://www.fortmanconsulting.com/problems/spreadsheet-chaos

Typical signals include duplicated records, status communicated through colors or comments, private spreadsheet copies, manual reporting cleanup, and follow-up that depends on memory.

### Manual operations

URL: https://www.fortmanconsulting.com/problems/manual-operations

Typical signals include repeated copying between tools, invisible exceptions, inbox-based handoffs, and recurring reminders or follow-up.

### Unclear system strategy

URL: https://www.fortmanconsulting.com/problems/system-strategy

Typical signals include tool comparisons before the workflow is agreed, ambiguous ownership, unclear completion criteria, and prior software changes that moved rather than resolved the problem.

## Primary services

### System Audit + Roadmap

URL: https://www.fortmanconsulting.com/services/system-audit

Deliverables can include a current-state workflow map, a tool/data/ownership review, risks and dependencies, prioritized recommendations, and a scoped next-step roadmap.

### Airtable System Design + Implementation

URL: https://www.fortmanconsulting.com/services/airtable-systems

Deliverables can include relational base architecture, validated forms, role-specific interfaces, migration planning, documentation, training, and handoff.

### Automation Design + Implementation

URL: https://www.fortmanconsulting.com/services/automation-systems

Deliverables can include trigger/action/data mapping, workflow implementation, validation, duplicate prevention, exception queues, failure alerts, recovery steps, documentation, and handoff.

## Case studies

### Rehab Reserves

URL: https://www.fortmanconsulting.com/case-studies/rehab-reserves

Fortman Digital built an operational portal and connected intake and follow-up workflow. The engagement emphasized explanation, training, and client ownership.

### The Commons

URL: https://www.fortmanconsulting.com/case-studies/the-commons

A community-platform build stalled in one no-code tool. Fortman Digital recommended a different implementation path, rebuilt the platform, documented it, and enabled the owner to make later changes.

## Field guides

- Workflow audit: https://www.fortmanconsulting.com/blog/workflow-audit-before-automation
- Spreadsheet system readiness: https://www.fortmanconsulting.com/blog/when-spreadsheet-needs-airtable-system
- Human review in AI workflows: https://www.fortmanconsulting.com/blog/human-review-ai-automation

## Booking

Potential clients can bring an operational problem to a no-pressure systems conversation:

https://forms.fillout.com/t/6qMjZV7YtFus

## Content provenance

Some resources may be AI-assisted. Production content should be reviewed for accuracy, claims, originality, client permissions, and relevance before publication. No content should be treated as a substitute for advice specific to a reader's legal, financial, medical, or security situation.