Why we exist
PortalBrook started after years watching capable engineering teams lose months to unclear decision ownership—roadmaps that contradicted each other, incident reviews that never changed behaviour, and CTOs left alone with board pressure. We formed a small consulting practice so those conversations could happen with someone who has sat in the chair and still respects the craft of shipping software.
How we work
We prefer short written artefacts over slide theatres. Engagements begin with a concrete question: a hiring bar, a release failure pattern, a leadership gap, or a process habit that no longer fits the team’s size. Advice stays accountable to that question until you decide to widen the brief.
People
Avery Brook leads client work. Background spans engineering management and interim CTO roles in Australian product companies, with particular attention to mid-sized teams (roughly 8–60 engineers) navigating growth or post-merger integration.
Associates join larger diagnoses when interview load requires it. You always know who will be in your sessions before work begins.
Values we keep visible
- Specificity over theatre. If we cannot name the behaviour to change, we are not ready to recommend it.
- Respect for the team already there. Process advice that humiliates contributors fails in the second week.
- Australia-aware delivery. Time zones, public holidays, and hybrid norms shape how we schedule—not as afterthoughts.
Community
We host occasional roundtables in Perth for engineering leaders comparing notes on hiring and release practice. Invitations go to current and past clients first; contact us if you would like to be considered.