- Scope definition
- Phased delivery planning
- Effort estimation
- Dependencies & sequencing
- Trade-off framework
- Scope definition
We define what's in and what's out, explicitly. Every feature, every integration, every piece of functionality gets assessed against the project goals and budget. If something doesn't contribute directly to what you're trying to achieve in this phase, it gets moved to a later phase or removed entirely.
This sounds strict, but it's the single most effective way to keep a project on track. Scope that isn't actively managed grows quietly until the budget and timeline no longer make sense. By the time anyone notices, it's too late to fix without cutting something important or asking for more money.
- Phased delivery planning
We break the project into phases, each delivering working software that solves a real part of the problem. Not wireframes, not prototypes, but functional software that users can actually use.
Phasing lets you see progress early, gather real feedback, and adjust direction based on what you learn. It also means you're never more than a few weeks away from something you can show to stakeholders, which makes conversations about budget and priorities much easier.
- Effort estimation
We estimate based on what we know, and we're honest about what we don't. Every estimate includes the assumptions it's built on, so when those assumptions change, you can see exactly how the timeline is affected.
We don't pad estimates to protect ourselves, and we don't compress them to win work. If something is genuinely uncertain, we'll say so and explain how we plan to reduce that uncertainty – usually by tackling the riskiest work first, so the estimate gets more accurate as the project progresses.
- Dependencies & sequencing
Some things need to happen before other things can start. Some tasks are blocked by external factors – third-party APIs, client decisions, data migrations, regulatory approvals. We map these dependencies and sequence the work to minimise downtime and avoid situations where the whole team is waiting for one thing to be resolved.
Good sequencing also means the most valuable and most uncertain work gets done early. This reduces risk as the project progresses and gives you the most important features first, not last.
- Trade-off framework
Every project involves trade-offs between scope, quality, time, and cost. When something changes – and it will – you need a clear way to make decisions without panic.
We establish this upfront. If a new requirement comes in mid-project, we can show you what it would displace, what it would cost, and what the alternatives are. If a phase runs over, you'll know the options: reduce scope elsewhere, extend the timeline, or increase the budget. No surprises, just informed choices.
