How I work.
Many technology projects struggle because teams rush to build before validating core assumptions. I flip this around: prove what works before you scale it.
My methodology is simple: test the riskiest assumptions first, using scientific principles to evaluate which way to go.
The goal isn't to deliver a fixed solution - it's to help you discover the right thing to do, including doing nothing.
Core principles
Through years of building and debugging systems across industries, I've identified what consistently drives good outcomes:
Risk-first validation
Test the assumptions that matter most, not the ones likely to be fine.
Evidence over opinion
Well-defined success criteria and objective testing prevent wishful thinking.
Agile commitment
Each phase has natural stopping points. Starting doesn't mean you have to finish.
Business alignment
Every technical decision ties back to desirable business outcomes.
The process
Solutions emerge through systematic discovery. My process removes uncertainty progressively, building confidence until the right path becomes clear.
Define the problem (1-5 days)
Transform "we want to use [xyz]" into concrete, measurable challenges.
I drill down systematically until we reach a clear problem statement with solid success criteria. What specifically are you trying to achieve? How do you measure success today? What happens if you do nothing?
You get: Well-defined pass/fail criteria, measurable goals, and documented assumptions.
Map the options (1-2 weeks)
Comprehensive landscape analysis beyond vendor demos and marketing materials.
I research every viable approach: vendor claims, documentation, real-world reviews. For critical technologies, I secure hands-on access to check that they match your requirements.
You get: Ranked options with honest trade-off analysis and independent validation.
Test the assumptions (2-4 weeks)
Build minimal prototypes focused on what matters most for your decision.
I find the assumptions that could kill your project and test them under real conditions. If a technology won't meet your needs, we discover this before you invest in infrastructure.
You get: Working prototypes, performance metrics, and clear go/no-go recommendations.
Build the framework (varies)
Production-ready foundation that your team can extend.
Implementation targets uncertain areas first. Complete documentation, monitoring setup, deployment plans: everything needed for smooth handover. Regular checkpoints mean we can adjust if new risks emerge.
You get: Production foundation with documentation and your team ready to take over.
Flexible engagement
Each phase stands alone. You can:
- Start anywhere based on where your project is
- Stop anytime when evidence suggests stopping
- Chain phases as insights develop
For projects unlikely to succeed, we discover this early and explain why. Better to invest your resources in opportunities that will work. If we find evidence to stop, you get:
- Clear documentation of why the approach won't work
- Alternative paths that might succeed
- Lessons that inform future decisions
This isn't failure. It's smart.
Short-term by design
Our engagement gets you from uncertainty to clarity to production-readiness, then your team takes over. I solve "getting started right", you solve "running at scale".
My success is measured by the quality of your decisions and your team's confidence moving forward - whether that's building on a solid foundation or avoiding a costly mistake.