Resources
Practical guides for businesses commissioning software - written by working engineers, not marketers.
Practical Guides for Businesses Commissioning Software
These resources are written for business owners, founders, and decision-makers who are thinking about commissioning software - or who are trying to understand a technical situation they have been presented with. They are not sales documents. They are honest, detailed guides to questions that come up repeatedly in the industry and that deserve better answers than most people give them.
Each guide is written to be genuinely useful whether or not you ever work with us. If you read one and it helps you make a better decision - even if that decision is to go somewhere else - that is a good outcome.
Available Guides
How Much Does Bespoke Software Cost?
The most common question in the industry and the one with the least honest answers. A detailed breakdown of what drives cost, what different budgets realistically achieve, and how to evaluate whether a quote is reasonable.
Bespoke Software vs Off-the-Shelf: Which Is Right for Your Business?
When does building custom software make sense, and when is it an expensive mistake? A framework for making the build-versus-buy decision honestly, with the questions you need to answer before committing either way.
How to Choose a Software Development Company
What to look for, what red flags to watch for, and what questions to ask before engaging a developer or consultancy. Written from the perspective of someone who has seen what goes wrong.
What Is a Fractional CTO?
A complete guide to fractional CTO engagements - what they are, what they are not, when they make sense, what to expect, and how to evaluate whether one is right for your business.
How to Write a Software Brief
A practical guide to documenting your software requirements in a way that gets you accurate quotes, reduces misunderstandings, and gives any developer you work with a fair chance of delivering what you actually need.
Have a Project in Mind?
Tell us what you are trying to build or solve. We will give you an honest view of what it would take.
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