How we work

The boutique method

Our process is designed for corporate stakeholders who need certainty before committing. Every phase has a clear deliverable, a defined exit criterion, and no obligation to proceed until you're satisfied with the output.

01
Phase 01

Discovery & Consultation

Before we design anything, we need to understand your environment. This is a structured 45-minute call with your technical and business stakeholders. We map your current state, identify the bottlenecks, and determine whether AI is genuinely the right solution, or whether a simpler approach fits better.

Honesty is a feature. If your problem doesn't warrant a custom AI build, we'll tell you, and point you toward what does.

What happens in this phase
Current-state audit
We document your existing data flows, tooling, and team structure
Problem definition
A precise problem statement, agreed by both parties before moving forward
ROI scoping
Quantified estimate of the business value AI can deliver in this context
Discovery report
Deliverable: a written brief summarising findings, recommended approach, and scope
Duration: 1–2 weeks  |  Deliverable: Discovery Report
02
Phase 02

Architecture & System Design

We design the full technical architecture before writing a single line of production code. This phase produces a detailed blueprint: data flows, model-selection rationale, infrastructure topology, integration points, and failure modes, reviewed and approved by your team.

No surprises mid-build. Every architectural decision is documented with its tradeoffs explained in plain language.

Architecture deliverables
System architecture diagram
End-to-end data flow from source to inference to output
Model selection report
Benchmark comparisons across candidate models with cost/performance tradeoffs
Security & compliance matrix
Data handling, access controls, and regulatory alignment per requirement
Build specification + timeline
Milestone-based project plan with acceptance criteria for each phase
Duration: 2–3 weeks  |  Deliverable: Architecture Package
03
Phase 03

Custom Build & Integration

Engineering begins once the architecture is approved. We work in tight weekly sprints with a single point of contact on your side. Every sprint ends with a working demo, no dark periods, no "we'll show you at the end."

Integration is treated as a first-class concern, not a final step. We connect to your existing systems early and often to surface issues before they become blockers.

Build principles
Weekly demos
Every sprint closes with a working build demonstration against agreed criteria
Test-driven quality
Automated evaluation suites run against your data, not synthetic benchmarks
Early integration
API connections and system integrations established in sprint 1, not week 8
IP ownership transfer
Full source code, model weights, and documentation transferred to you at completion
Duration: 4–10 weeks  |  Deliverable: Production-Ready System
04
Phase 04

Deployment & Handover

Production deployment is a managed, low-risk event, not a scramble. We run staged rollouts, monitor live performance, and remain on-call for the first 30 days post-launch. Handover includes full documentation, runbooks, and training for your internal team.

Optional: an ongoing retainer for model retraining, pipeline maintenance, and capability expansion as your requirements evolve.

Deployment & handover package
Staged production rollout
Canary → Blue/Green deployment with automated rollback triggers
Observability dashboard
Custom metrics for AI-specific concerns: latency, accuracy drift, usage patterns
Complete documentation
Architecture docs, runbooks, API references, and operational procedures
30-day hypercare
On-call support and team-training sessions for the first month post-launch
Duration: 1–2 weeks  |  Deliverable: Live System + Full Transfer

Typical timeline

Zero to production in 10–16 weeks
01 · Discovery
1–2 wk
Problem scoped, approach agreed
02 · Architecture
2–3 wk
Full blueprint approved by your team
03 · Build
4–10 wk
Weekly demos, continuous integration
04 · Deployment
1–2 wk
Live in production + 30-day hypercare

Our commitments

What you can count on
No black-box deliverables
Every component we build is fully documented and transferable. You own it entirely.
Fixed scope, no scope creep
New requirements are handled as change orders, transparent pricing, your decision.
Senior engineers on every engagement
No junior hand-offs. The team that pitches is the team that builds.
Exit at every phase
Each phase ends with a deliverable you own. Stop after Discovery and still have a report worth acting on.

Frequently asked

Do we need to share our proprietary data upfront?
No. The Discovery phase requires only a high-level description of your data sources. We sign an NDA before any data access.
Can we use our existing cloud infrastructure?
Yes. We design for your environment, AWS, GCP, Azure, or on-premise. We don't require new infrastructure unless the architecture demands it.
What happens after deployment?
We offer optional ongoing retainers for model retraining, monitoring, and feature expansion. There's no lock-in, your team can manage the system independently after handover.

Begin phase 01

Start with discovery.

One 45-minute call. A written Discovery Report. No obligation to proceed.

Book your Discovery Call →