Before you build or buy, you need to know what you are solving and what success looks like. A discovery and validation engagement is a focused period (typically four to ten weeks) where we work with you to validate the problem, define scope, and recommend a path forward. That might mean a written scope document and architecture recommendation. It might mean a build vs buy analysis and a phased roadmap. It might mean technical discovery (assessing your current systems and constraints) so that a subsequent build or pilot is grounded in reality. The goal is to reduce risk and align stakeholders before you commit to a larger investment.
What you get
You get a clear deliverable: a document (or set of documents) that articulates the problem, the recommended approach, and the next step. That might be a go recommendation with a proposed scope and phases for a pilot or build. It might be a no-go recommendation with reasons. It might be a recommendation to do more validation (e.g. a small pilot) before a full build. You also get alignment: we work with your leadership, product, and technical teams so that everyone has a shared view of what you are solving and how. We do not pad discovery to sell a big project; we will tell you if we think the problem is not ready or if a simpler approach is better.
Typical scope
A typical discovery engagement includes: problem definition and validation (who has the problem, what good looks like, what data or evidence you have); current state assessment (systems, processes, constraints); options analysis (build, buy, partner, or a mix); recommended approach with phases and high-level timeline; and a clear next step (e.g. pilot proposal, build proposal, or pause). The exact scope depends on your situation. We will propose a fixed scope and price after an initial conversation so you know what you are committing to.
Who this is for
This engagement is for organizations that are at the beginning of a significant initiative and want to de-risk it before committing. You may have a vague sense of what you need but not a clear scope or roadmap. You may be evaluating build vs buy and want an independent view. You may have tried to scope internally but need an external partner to challenge assumptions and bring experience. The investment ($40K to $75K typical) is a fraction of a full build, so it is a low-risk way to get clarity. If the next step is a pilot or build, we can propose that separately so you can decide with full information.
Next step
Book a discovery call. We will listen to your goals and constraints and tell you whether a discovery engagement makes sense. If it does, we will propose a scope, timeline, and price. No obligation; we want you to have enough information to decide.