Engagement 05

Scoped · Quoted

Custom / Other

When the brief does not fit a box.

Some work is a hybrid: research spike + MVP, brand + product shell, rescue of a half-built AI system, or a scoped R&D transfer into production. We still work fixed-scope — after we name what “done” means.

When the brief does not fit a standard path

  • 01

    A written scope that matches the real problem, not a forced package

  • 02

    Fixed price and timeline once discovery is complete

  • 03

    The same ship standard: production, docs, handoff

Best for

  • 01Hybrid briefs that cut across Brand / MVP / Product / Enterprise
  • 02Rescue or rewrite of an existing AI prototype
  • 03Research-to-production transfers and unusual integrations

Out of scope

  • Hourly open-ended “staff augmentation” without a defined deliverable
  • Work that starts before a written proposal is accepted
  • Guarantees on unscoped research outcomes

What you get

01

Discovery package

  • Structured discovery call(s) and constraint map
  • Recommended engagement shape (or a custom mix)
  • Written proposal: scope, milestones, price, payment terms
02

Scoped build (after proposal)

  • Whatever the approved spec names: systems, UI, research, or design
  • Milestone checkpoints aligned to 50 / 30 / 20 payment terms
  • Production path and handoff as defined in the proposal

Scope of work

  1. 01

    Diagnose

    We spend discovery on clarity, not on padding hours.

    • Problem, users, constraints, and existing assets
    • Technical risk list (integrations, data, model, compliance)
    • Decision: standard package vs custom plan
  2. 02

    Propose

    You get a plan you can accept, amend, or decline — before build starts.

    • Scope in / out
    • Timeline and fixed price
    • Milestone definitions for payment
  3. 03

    Execute

    Same build discipline as every other engagement.

    • Weekly visibility
    • Acceptance against the written spec
    • Handoff and optional maintenance

How it runs

  1. I

    Inquiry

    Tell us what is unusual about the brief.

  2. II

    Discovery

    We map risk and recommend a shape.

  3. III

    Proposal

    Fixed scope, price, milestones.

  4. IV

    Build

    Execute only after written agreement.

Payment

50% upfront, 30% at milestone, 20% on delivery.

  1. 01

    50%

    Upfront

    Due to start the build

  2. 02

    30%

    Milestone

    Due at the agreed mid-build checkpoint

  3. 03

    20%

    Delivery

    Due on ship and handoff

Related work

Other engagements

Ready to scope this?

Tell us the workflow, constraints, and timeline. We’ll come back with a written plan.

Start inquiry