Description:

An engagement to thoroughly review and document product concept and perform initial software system design.


Cost:

$5000 - $10,000


Includes:

  • Approx. 40 - 80 hour commitment

  • Time-Boxed Discovery Meeting(s)

    • 4 - 8 hours

    • Identify Problem Set / Opportunity / Market

    • Identify Key Product Differentiators

    • Identify Major Functional/Feature Areas

    • Identify Major Workflow Processes

    • Identify External Resources Required

    • Identify Revenue Streams

    • Identify Areas for Further Research / Roadblocks

  • Competitive Analysis

    • 2 - 4 hours of research into similar products that either directly compete or will inform development decisions.

    • Look at user interfaces, workflows, revenue models, etc.

  • Technology Analysis

    • 4 - 8 hours of research / technology demos (as needed).

    • Determine technologies and services to use based on requirements.

    • Investigate new technologies or perform technology comparisons where needed.

  • Database Design

    • 4 - 8 hours of persistence schema design

  • Architecture and System Design

    • 4 - 8 hours of designing the software platform

    • Includes identify software components, external services, infrastructure requirements, etc.

  • Cost and Roadmap Assessment

    • 4 - 6 hours of cost estimating and bid preparation (for Fixed Bid projects)

    • 1 hour or roadmap preparation / schedule determination.

  • Documentation

    • 6 - 10 hours

    • Functional Specification

    • Design Documentation


Deliverables:

  • Functional Specification

    • A comprehensive document outlining features and function of product.

    • Document business rules for workflows, validations, or algorithms used by the product.

    • Answers the question of “What will be built?”.

  • Design Documentation

    • Technology Selection Proposal

    • Database Diagram

    • Infrastructure Documentation

      • “Hardware” Components

      • Cloud Services Employed

      • Identify Monitoring Plans

      • Identify Backup/Disaster Recovery

    • Architecture Design

      • Identity Software Components

      • Identity 3rd Party Data Providers or Services

      • Document Component Interactions

    • Answers the question of “How will we build it?”


Customer Outcome:

  • Ready for Production phase.

  • Clear understanding of development deliverables and clear product vision.

  • Solid cost understanding and delivery timeline.

  • Prepared for specific conversations with investors or strategic partners.
     

Add Ons:

  • Visual Design Management

    • $1000 (unless included); Approx 8 hour commitment

    • Coordinate with Visual Design Team

    • Attend Design Initiation Meeting

  • Wireframe / Mockups

    • $1500 (unless included); Approx 12 hour commitment

    • 4 hour UX design meeting

    • 8 hour production of wireframes

  • Prototype

    • $500 (unless included); Approx 4 hour commitment

    • 4 hours of wireframe integration into a prototype

  • Focus Groups / User Feedback Management

    • $125/hour; As Needed

    • Meet with potential customers; Collect feedback on product ideas, UIs, revenue models, etc.