[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"services-list":3,"blog-ensure-roi-is-a-priority-for-your-software-project-by-using-this-software-development-brief":454},[4,82,159,233,307,381],{"id":5,"sort_order":6,"icon":7,"title":8,"slug":9,"tag":10,"tag_color":11,"headline":12,"description":13,"details":14,"image_url":20,"is_active":21,"created_at":22,"outcome_statement":23,"problem_heading":24,"problem_points":25,"benefits":30,"process_steps":43,"differentiators":56,"faq_items":66,"risk_mitigation":79,"testimonial_id":80,"secondary_image_url":81},"804df37c-c81d-4d70-8f61-e74f8ff19404",1,"🏗️","Tech Product Development","tech-product-development","Core Service","#4368fa","Turn your proven expertise into a market-disrupting platform.","We take the knowledge, processes, and IP that make your business exceptional and engineer it into a scalable tech product your customers can access directly - without you having to be in the room for every delivery.",[15,16,17,18,19],"Full-stack product engineering across web and mobile","Scalable cloud architecture designed for licensing and growth","UX & UI design that converts and retains users","Multi-year product roadmaps aligned to your commercial objectives","Ongoing iteration based on user behaviour and market feedback","https:\u002F\u002Fnqvtgsnvkuompyhdclct.supabase.co\u002Fstorage\u002Fv1\u002Fobject\u002Fpublic\u002Ffiles\u002Fservices\u002F1771581940383_Joey_Divya_Hoodies.png",true,"2026-02-20T09:57:49.133845+00:00","Turn your proven expertise into a market-leading SaaS platform that generates recurring revenue.","Sound familiar?",[26,27,28,29],"Your revenue is capped by the number of people you can hire and the hours they can deliver","You've tried no-code tools or spreadsheets and hit a ceiling","Clients keep asking for a platform but you don't know how to build one","You know there's a product in your business but every conversation with dev agencies leaves you more confused",[31,34,37,40],{"label":32,"value":33},"Recurring revenue","Move from project-based billing to a scalable subscription model that compounds over time",{"label":35,"value":36},"Reduced founder reliance","A product that delivers value without business owners being personally involved in every engagement",{"label":38,"value":39},"Exit optionality","Tech businesses exit at 5–12x revenue vs 2–5x profit for service businesses",{"label":41,"value":42},"Market leadership","A platform their competitors can't easily replicate, built on your unique domain expertise",[44,47,50,53],{"label":45,"value":46},"Product architecture","We design the technical foundation - data model, integrations, user experience - so it scales from day one",{"label":48,"value":49},"Iterative build","Focused development sprints with regular demos. You see real progress every two weeks, not after twelve months",{"label":51,"value":52},"User testing","Real users on the platform early, giving feedback that shapes the product around actual behaviour",{"label":54,"value":55},"Launch & scale","We help you launch, onboard early adopters, and build the feedback loops that make the product get better over time",[57,60,63],{"label":58,"value":59},"B2B product specialists","We build B2B SaaS platforms - not websites, not apps. This is all we do and we're very good at it.",{"label":61,"value":62},"Outcome-obsessed","We measure success by your success metrics, not by lines of code",{"label":64,"value":65},"Long-term partner","We don't disappear after launch. We stay with you through scale, iteration, and growth.",[67,70,73,76],{"label":68,"value":69},"How long does it take to build a product?","A first release is typically 3–6 months after Discovery. We prioritise getting a valuable product in front of users fast, then iterate.",{"label":71,"value":72},"How much do I need to invest?","It depends on complexity, but we're transparent about investment up front. Discovery gives you a clear budget before you commit to Build.",{"label":74,"value":75},"Do we need a CTO or technical co-founder?","No. We act as your fractional product and technology team. You focus on the business and the market.",{"label":77,"value":78},"What technology do you use?","We have a highly scalable and proven stack that's already serving millions of users - this is Laravel, Vue & AWS, highly tuned by Wubbleyou to deliver performance. Our focus is on proven, scalable technologies that won't paint you into a corner.","We build iteratively with fortnightly demos - so you see real progress at every stage. Combined with Discovery, you never invest in Build without a validated plan. If something isn't working, we catch it in weeks, not months.","f111406d-2d2e-43d5-9d90-fd8ab1b2d95e",null,{"id":83,"sort_order":84,"icon":85,"title":86,"slug":87,"tag":88,"tag_color":89,"headline":90,"description":91,"details":92,"image_url":97,"is_active":21,"created_at":98,"outcome_statement":99,"problem_heading":24,"problem_points":100,"benefits":105,"process_steps":121,"differentiators":134,"faq_items":144,"risk_mitigation":157,"testimonial_id":158,"secondary_image_url":81},"5f0aedc2-2c9f-4ec4-b7a7-8f5d7f7560bc",2,"🧭","Discovery Journey","discovery-journey","De-risk First","#1fcce8","Shape the right problem before you spend a penny on building.","Our intense 6–8 week discovery process is designed to give you absolute clarity on what to build, for whom, and in what order. It's the most important thing we do -  and it typically saves clients 5 figures on product builds by eliminating the wrong assumptions early.",[93,94,95,96],"Stakeholder and user research interviews","Product blueprint and feature prioritisation","Technical scoping and architecture recommendations","Commercial model and pricing strategy validation","https:\u002F\u002Fnqvtgsnvkuompyhdclct.supabase.co\u002Fstorage\u002Fv1\u002Fobject\u002Fpublic\u002Ffiles\u002Fservices\u002F1771551490383_1721753344239.jpg","2026-02-19T21:21:26.524359+00:00","Building the wrong product is an expensive mistake - before investing a single penny in development.",[101,102,103,104],"You know there's a product in your business but you don't know where to start","You've had conversations with agencies before and left more confused than when you started","You're worried about building the wrong thing at the wrong time","Your team is too busy delivering to step back and think strategically about product",[106,109,112,115,118],{"label":107,"value":108},"Validated opportunity","A clear, evidence-based assessment of whether your product idea has legs - before you commit budget",{"label":110,"value":111},"Clear blueprint","A detailed product specification and technical roadmap you can take to any development partner",{"label":113,"value":114},"A prototype product","A product that you can actually use, showing how the user journey and product works",{"label":116,"value":117},"De-risked investment","Confidence that you're building the right thing for the right market, with the right approach",{"label":119,"value":120},"Aligned stakeholders","Everyone in the business understands the vision, the plan, and what success looks like",[122,125,128,131],{"label":123,"value":124},"Deep-dive sessions","We immerse ourselves in your business - your expertise, your clients, your operations - to understand what makes you different",{"label":126,"value":127},"Finding Value","We understand the value in your business, and work out what assets\u002FIP you have which translate well into productisation",{"label":129,"value":130},"Product definition","We define the core product - features, user journeys, technical architecture - in enough detail to build from",{"label":132,"value":133},"Blueprint delivery","You get a comprehensive blueprint: product spec, roadmap, and usable prototype - ready to act on",[135,138,141],{"label":136,"value":137},"Strategic, not just technical","We think about your business model, your market, and your exit - not just the technology",{"label":139,"value":140},"Founder-focused","We've guided dozens of service-led founders through this exact transition. We speak your language, not tech jargon",{"label":142,"value":143},"Genuinely de-risked","Discovery exists to protect you from the most expensive mistake in tech: building the wrong thing",[145,148,151,154],{"label":146,"value":147},"How long does Discovery take?","Typically 6–8 weeks. Intensive enough to be thorough, short enough to maintain momentum.",{"label":149,"value":150},"What do I get at the end?","A comprehensive product blueprint including specification, usable prototype, and a phased roadmap we can jointly act on immediately.",{"label":152,"value":153},"What if we already know what we want to build?","Even experienced founders benefit from Discovery. It pressure-tests assumptions, uncovers blind spots, and ensures you're building for your market - not just your instinct.  There can be a difference between what a founder wants, and what they need.  We are productisation experts, and we listen - you will see significant benefit when we take your ideas and thinking, and distil them with our own ability.",{"label":155,"value":156},"Can we skip Discovery and go straight to Build?","We always recommend it, but if you have an existing spec or have completed a thorough discovery elsewhere, we'll assess it honestly and tell you if it's ready. Our experience is that others do not do discovery as well as us for B2B tech products - we are very good at it.  If your existing spec has issues, we will be up front - if we like it, we'll be equally as up front!","Discovery is designed to be the lowest-risk entry point. You invest a fraction of a full build investment and together we create a validated plan - if you learn during discovery that this is not a viable strategy, we pivot - you're not locked into an expensive build","82fa0220-2d70-4be2-aca5-0c1e603086e2",{"id":160,"sort_order":161,"icon":162,"title":163,"slug":164,"tag":165,"tag_color":166,"headline":167,"description":168,"details":169,"image_url":175,"is_active":21,"created_at":98,"outcome_statement":176,"problem_heading":24,"problem_points":177,"benefits":182,"process_steps":195,"differentiators":208,"faq_items":218,"risk_mitigation":231,"testimonial_id":232,"secondary_image_url":81},"d6c3eb2c-929d-4662-8ad3-cdce5fe36bfe",3,"🤖","AI Augmentation","ai-augmentation","Competitive Edge","#22c55e","Implement AI, which actually works","We build AI that actually works inside your business and your product, and solves real world problems. We have a unique 'building block' approach, which means we start by solving small problems quickly, and build in time into safely solving big things.",[170,171,172,173,174],"Custom AI agent design and development","LLM integration (OpenAI, Anthropic, and others)","Internal workflow automation and intelligent routing","AI-assisted product features for your B2B platform","AI strategy and implementation roadmap","https:\u002F\u002Fnqvtgsnvkuompyhdclct.supabase.co\u002Fstorage\u002Fv1\u002Fobject\u002Fpublic\u002Ffiles\u002Fservices\u002F1771551565494_Mark_Divya_Emily_Joey.png","Embed AI into your product or operations to unlock efficiency gains your competitors can't match.",[178,179,180,181],"You know AI could help your business but you're overwhelmed by the hype and don't know where to start","You've seen competitors talk about AI and worry you're falling behind","Your team spends hours on repetitive tasks that feel like they should be automated","You're nervous about getting AI wrong - the wrong investment, the wrong approach, the wrong timing",[183,186,189,192],{"label":184,"value":185},"Competitive advantage","Capabilities your competitors don't have - embedded into your product or workflow, not bolted on",{"label":187,"value":188},"Operational efficiency","Automate the repetitive, high-volume work that consumes your team's time and energy",{"label":190,"value":191},"Scalable intelligence","AI that gets better as your data grows - a compounding asset, not a one-off tool",{"label":193,"value":194},"Practical, not theoretical","Working AI in your product within weeks, not a research project that never ships",[196,199,202,205],{"label":197,"value":198},"AI opportunity audit","We map your processes and product to identify where AI creates genuine value - not where it just sounds impressive",{"label":200,"value":201},"Proof of concept","A focused prototype that proves the approach works with your real data, before you commit to full integration",{"label":203,"value":204},"Production integration","We build the AI into your product or workflow properly - secure, scalable, and maintainable",{"label":206,"value":207},"Optimisation & learning","We monitor, tune, and improve the AI based on real usage data so it keeps getting better",[209,212,215],{"label":210,"value":211},"Practical, not hype-driven","We only recommend AI where it creates measurable value. If a simpler solution works better, we'll tell you.",{"label":213,"value":214},"Integrated, not bolted on","AI is built into your product architecture from the start - not a fragile add-on that breaks",{"label":216,"value":217},"B2B context experts","We understand B2B workflows, compliance requirements, and the practical constraints of real businesses",[219,222,225,228],{"label":220,"value":221},"Do we need a data scientist?","No. We handle the technical complexity. You bring the domain expertise and business context.",{"label":223,"value":224},"What kind of AI are we talking about?","It depends on the problem - document processing, intelligent automation, natural language interfaces, predictive analytics. We match the technology to the outcome.",{"label":226,"value":227},"Is our data good enough for AI?","Often yes, even if it needs work. It's the first thing we assess - as it's important we avoid a \"garbage in \u002F garbage out\" problem - if we believe a project will fail for this reason - we will be up front.",{"label":229,"value":230},"What about data privacy and security?","We take this seriously. All AI implementations follow data protection best practices, and we work with you to understand your needs to find the model and provider to provide the level of protection you need.","We start with a focused proof of concept using your real data - so you can see actual results before committing to full integration. Whilst theory is a part, it's not the result - our focus is on execution that makes a positive state change in your business. If AI isn't the right answer, we'll tell you before you spend a penny on it.","cb026b97-f41e-4d15-b17b-6d095fc36a47",{"id":234,"sort_order":235,"icon":236,"title":237,"slug":238,"tag":239,"tag_color":240,"headline":241,"description":242,"details":243,"image_url":249,"is_active":21,"created_at":98,"outcome_statement":250,"problem_heading":24,"problem_points":251,"benefits":256,"process_steps":269,"differentiators":282,"faq_items":292,"risk_mitigation":305,"testimonial_id":306,"secondary_image_url":81},"b195ddb0-5fc4-4b21-80b0-5ebf5d081fa2",4,"📊","Business Intelligence","business-intelligence","Clarity","#f59e0b","See your product performance, and make better decisions, faster.","What numbers must improve to achieve your 3–5 year goals? We create that clarity, build the integration layer to unify your data, and surface it in real-time dashboards that make the right decision obvious.",[244,245,246,247,248],"KPI definition and metric framework design","Data integration layer connecting your existing systems","Real-time executive and operational dashboards","Adoption and performance tracking for your tech product","Reporting infrastructure that scales as your business does","https:\u002F\u002Fnqvtgsnvkuompyhdclct.supabase.co\u002Fstorage\u002Fv1\u002Fobject\u002Fpublic\u002Ffiles\u002Fservices\u002F1771551590260_divya_joey.png","Get the visibility you need to make confident decisions - without waiting for someone to pull a report.",[252,253,254,255],"You're making important decisions based on gut feel because you can't get the data fast enough","Your numbers live in five different spreadsheets and nobody agrees on which one is right","You only find out about problems after they've already cost you money","Your board or investors want reporting you can't currently produce without days of manual work",[257,260,263,266],{"label":258,"value":259},"Real-time visibility","See how your business is performing right now - revenue, pipeline, operations - in one place",{"label":261,"value":262},"Confident decisions","Make strategic choices backed by data, not instinct. Faster decisions, fewer regrets.",{"label":264,"value":265},"Early warning systems","Spot problems before they become crises - pipeline drops, churn signals, delivery bottlenecks",{"label":267,"value":268},"Investor-ready reporting","Professional, automated reporting that tells the story your board and investors need to hear",[270,273,276,279],{"label":271,"value":272},"Data audit","We map your data landscape - where it lives, what shape it's in, and what questions you most need it to answer",{"label":274,"value":275},"Architecture & design","We design a data architecture that brings your information together and makes it queryable and reliable",{"label":277,"value":278},"Dashboard build","We build the dashboards and reports you actually need - focused on decisions, not vanity metrics",{"label":280,"value":281},"Training & handover","We make sure you and your team can use, trust, and extend the system independently",[283,286,289],{"label":284,"value":285},"Designed for founders, not analysts","We build dashboards that answer business questions, not ones that require a data degree to interpret",{"label":287,"value":288},"Actionable, not academic","Every metric we surface is connected to a decision you can make or an action you can take",{"label":290,"value":291},"Integrated into your workflow","BI that lives where you work - not another tool you have to remember to check",[293,296,299,302],{"label":294,"value":295},"What data sources can you work with?","Almost anything - CRM, accounting, project management, spreadsheets, databases, APIs. If it holds data, we can likely connect it.",{"label":297,"value":298},"Do we need a data warehouse?","Sometimes, but not always. When we build a product with you, we handle this by default, so it's not something you need to worry about.",{"label":300,"value":301},"How long until we see results?","First dashboards are typically live within 4–6 weeks. We start with your highest-value questions and build outward.",{"label":303,"value":304},"Can our team maintain this themselves?","That's the goal. We build for handover, not dependency. Training and documentation are included.","We start with your highest-value questions and build outward - so you get actionable insights from day one, not after a six-month data warehousing project. If your data isn't ready, we'll tell you honestly and help you fix it first.","b05514e7-0f31-409b-8291-e25115729052",{"id":308,"sort_order":309,"icon":310,"title":311,"slug":312,"tag":313,"tag_color":314,"headline":315,"description":316,"details":317,"image_url":323,"is_active":21,"created_at":98,"outcome_statement":324,"problem_heading":24,"problem_points":325,"benefits":330,"process_steps":343,"differentiators":356,"faq_items":366,"risk_mitigation":379,"testimonial_id":380,"secondary_image_url":81},"cd8895d6-704d-48d2-adad-7c1afc0d80fb",5,"⚙️","Internal Platform Layer","internal-platform-layer","Foundation","#8b5cf6","Build the internal engine that powers your external product.","Productisation without an internal layer creates new chaos. We build the automation, workflow standardisation, and internal tooling that supports your external product - so that as volume grows, your team's effort doesn't grow at the same rate.",[318,319,320,321,322],"Business process analysis and workflow mapping","Automation of repetitive internal operations","System integration across your existing tech stack","Internal tools purpose-built for your team's workflows","The foundation that makes your external product financially viable at scale","https:\u002F\u002Fnqvtgsnvkuompyhdclct.supabase.co\u002Fstorage\u002Fv1\u002Fobject\u002Fpublic\u002Ffiles\u002Fservices\u002F1771551603740_Emily.png","Replace the spreadsheets and manual processes holding your business back with a platform that scales with you.",[326,327,328,329],"Your operations run on spreadsheets, email chains, and tribal knowledge that only you understand","You can't delegate confidently because there's no system - just people who know how things work","Every new hire takes months to get productive because nothing is documented or systematised","You've looked at off-the-shelf tools but nothing fits how your business actually operates",[331,334,337,340],{"label":332,"value":333},"Operational clarity","A single source of truth for your core processes - visible, measurable, and not dependent on any one person",{"label":335,"value":336},"Confident delegation","Systems that let your team deliver to your standard without you being in every decision",{"label":338,"value":339},"Scalable operations","Grow your business without proportionally growing your headcount or your stress levels",{"label":341,"value":342},"Founder freedom","Step back from day-to-day operations knowing the business runs to the standard you set",[344,347,350,353],{"label":345,"value":346},"Process audit","We map how your business actually works - not how it should work on paper, but how it runs in reality",{"label":348,"value":349},"Platform design","We design an internal platform that fits your workflows, your team, and your growth plans",{"label":351,"value":352},"Build & rollout","We build iteratively and roll out in phases - so your team adapts gradually, not all at once",{"label":354,"value":355},"Training & embedding","We make sure your team actually uses it. Training, documentation, and ongoing support until it's second nature",[357,360,363],{"label":358,"value":359},"Built for service businesses","We understand the operational challenges of service-led businesses - because that's all we work with",{"label":361,"value":362},"Designed for operators","Built around how your team works, not how a software vendor thinks they should work",{"label":364,"value":365},"Pragmatic, not perfect","We build what you need now and design for what you'll need next - no over-engineering, no bloat",[367,370,373,376],{"label":368,"value":369},"Is this like an ERP system or CRM?","It can be, but it doesn't have to be. We aren't interested in re-inventing platforms which already do a good job.  We recommend those platforms instead, and focus on building a layer which connects it all together, or solving problems those tools don't.",{"label":371,"value":372},"How disruptive is the transition?","We design for minimal disruption. Phased rollouts, parallel running, and hands-on training mean your business keeps operating while the new system beds in.",{"label":374,"value":375},"What if our processes change?","They will - and that's fine. We build flexible systems designed to evolve with your business, not lock you into today's way of working.",{"label":377,"value":378},"Can this integrate with tools we already use?","Yes. We build to integrate with your existing tools wherever it makes sense - no rip-and-replace required.","We design for how your business actually works - not how a software vendor thinks it should. Phased rollouts mean you never risk your entire operation on a big-bang switch. And because we build iteratively, you see and approve every step before it goes live.","0cf87d40-6d19-4a7d-b2e0-fe82d42107dc",{"id":382,"sort_order":383,"icon":384,"title":385,"slug":386,"tag":387,"tag_color":388,"headline":389,"description":390,"details":391,"image_url":397,"is_active":21,"created_at":98,"outcome_statement":398,"problem_heading":24,"problem_points":399,"benefits":404,"process_steps":417,"differentiators":430,"faq_items":440,"risk_mitigation":453,"testimonial_id":380,"secondary_image_url":81},"f4bf1e19-4a12-4e43-8d60-bb1d6ca9f9ab",6,"🛡","Support & Maintenance","support-maintenance","Long-term Partnership","#64748b","Your product in safe hands, permanently.","Business-critical products need business-critical support. Once your platform is live, our team stays with it - handling security, scalability, disaster recovery, bug resolution, and the ongoing technical care your users rely on.",[392,393,394,395,396],"Continuous security monitoring and vulnerability management","Performance optimisation and scalability management","Disaster recovery planning and incident response","Bug resolution and quality assurance","Infrastructure and hosting management","https:\u002F\u002Fnqvtgsnvkuompyhdclct.supabase.co\u002Fstorage\u002Fv1\u002Fobject\u002Fpublic\u002Ffiles\u002Fservices\u002F1771551647029_Lee_and_Mark_CA.jpg","Keep your product secure, stable, and evolving - without building an in-house dev team.",[400,401,402,403],"Your product is live but the agency that built it has moved on - and you're not sure who's looking after it","You worry about security vulnerabilities but don't have the technical expertise to assess them","Users are requesting features and fixes but you can't iterate fast enough to keep them happy","You're spending more time managing your technology than growing your business",[405,408,411,414],{"label":406,"value":407},"Peace of mind","Know that your product is monitored, maintained, and secure - without it being your problem to manage",{"label":409,"value":410},"Continuous improvement","Regular updates and feature releases that keep your product competitive and your users engaged",{"label":412,"value":413},"Security confidence","Proactive security updates, vulnerability monitoring, and best-practice infrastructure management",{"label":415,"value":416},"Expert on call","A technical team that knows your product inside out, available when you need them",[418,421,424,427],{"label":419,"value":420},"Technical audit","We assess your current codebase, infrastructure, and security posture - whether we built it or someone else did",{"label":422,"value":423},"Support agreement","A clear, transparent support plan tailored to your product's needs and your budget",{"label":425,"value":426},"Ongoing development","Regular sprints to ship fixes, features, and improvements - keeping your product moving forward",{"label":428,"value":429},"Quarterly reviews","Strategic check-ins to assess product health, plan upcoming work, and align on priorities",[431,434,437],{"label":432,"value":433},"We built it or we'll learn it","Whether we built your product originally or inherited it, we take full ownership and accountability",{"label":435,"value":436},"Proactive, not reactive","We don't wait for things to break. Monitoring, updates, and improvements happen continuously.",{"label":438,"value":439},"Strategic partner, not helpdesk","We think about where your product should go next - not just what's broken today",[441,444,447,450],{"label":442,"value":443},"What are your response times?","It depends on the support tier, but critical issues are typically acknowledged within hours. We'll agree SLAs that match your needs.",{"label":445,"value":446},"Can you work on code someone else built?","Yes. We regularly take over products built by other teams. The technical audit gives us - and you - a clear picture of what we're working with.",{"label":448,"value":449},"What's included in support?","It varies by plan, but typically: bug fixes, security updates, performance monitoring, minor feature work, and regular communication. We'll tailor it to your needs.",{"label":451,"value":452},"Is there a minimum commitment?","We typically work on rolling quarterly agreements. Long enough to be effective, flexible enough that you're never locked in.","We start every engagement with a thorough technical audit - so we understand your codebase before making any changes. No surprises, no guesswork. And our rolling agreements mean you're never locked into a long-term contract that isn't working.",{"id":455,"slug":456,"title":457,"description":458,"hero_image_url":459,"hero_image_alt":457,"body_html":460,"category":461,"author":462,"published_at":463,"reading_time_minutes":309,"featured":464,"is_active":21,"sort_order":465,"created_at":466,"updated_at":467},"99055313-2768-4bd2-917e-4e807d12e60b","ensure-roi-is-a-priority-for-your-software-project-by-using-this-software-development-brief","Ensure ROI is a priority for your software project, by using this software development brief","When scoping a software project, communication is extremely important. Lets delve in more detail about that today.","https:\u002F\u002Fnqvtgsnvkuompyhdclct.supabase.co\u002Fstorage\u002Fv1\u002Fobject\u002Fpublic\u002Ffiles\u002Fblog\u002F10a2bb201271.png","\u003Cp>When scoping a software project, communication is extremely important.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>From our perspective, scoping out a project consists of developing an in depth understanding of your situation and pain points, and then working with you to identify how to generate the maximum return on investment by solving those pain points.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>However, at the start of every conversation, there is naturally a knowledge gap. Naturally we understand tech and you understand your business and pain points, we must bridge that gap!\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Based on over a decade of experience, we’ve put together a template detailing how to prime a development agency like us, with the information we need to understand your project.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp> \u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch2>Why write a software development brief?\u003C\u002Fh2>\u003Cp>Simply, it lets you and your team evaluate the problem at hand, and give that to solutions providers like us in a consistent and detailed way.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>If done in the right way (see our template!), it ensures proposals are geared to solve your problem and generating ROI\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>If the conversation is only orientated towards a solution, how are you able to guarantee that a proposal:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cul>\u003Cli data-preset-tag=\"p\">\u003Cp>Generates ROI for your business\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli data-preset-tag=\"p\">\u003Cp>Solves real pain points in your business\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli data-preset-tag=\"p\">\u003Cp>Has a measurable\u002Fpositive impact on the business\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\u003Cp>Detailing the objectives, measures and values up front in a software development brief, allows you to assess proposals against these and answer the above questions\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>It makes it more likely quotes you receive are comparable\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Consider engaging with multiple solution providers without this, will all of them have the same information? If all solutions providers have different information, will they all be providing proposals for the same problems?\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>It should provide wider context of your business and objectives, but also laser focus on the problems at hand\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>It’s important that a project has clear objectives which are measurable, and that the value of the project is understood.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>At the same time, sight of the wider context allows a solution provider like us to recommend strategic decisions which provide more value now, or make decisions for the solution which deliver more value in the long run.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>It may sting if a solution implemented now has to be changed in consideration of your wider objectives – knowing these earlier allows us to make informed decisions.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Want the template in Word format?Download the ROI focussed software brief template belowDownload\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fkit.com\u002Ffeatures\u002Fforms?utm_campaign=poweredby&utm_content=form&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=dynamic\" target=\"_blank\">Built with Kit\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch2>How should you describe your business in the software brief?\u003C\u002Fh2>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>About you\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Firstly, it’s important to know about your business, who you are and what the ambitions are.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>You likely have this information already – just copy and paste this from your website!\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Consider adding to this with information on the business ambitions and objectives:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cul>\u003Cli data-preset-tag=\"p\">\u003Cp>What made you want to start this project?\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli data-preset-tag=\"p\">\u003Cp>What are your business objectives over the next 12 months and 5 years?\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli data-preset-tag=\"p\">\u003Cp>Where have you been as a business? Are you growing rapidly? Have you recently had any major changes?\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli data-preset-tag=\"p\">\u003Cp>How many people do you employ right now? How has this changed over the last 12 months and how will this change going forward?\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\u003Cp> \u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch2>What problems do you want to solve?\u003C\u002Fh2>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>List 3 to 5 high level pain points which are important to solve\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>What are the most important pain points, in order, which you are looking to solve during this project?\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>How do these translate to key objectives?\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>E.g.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cul>\u003Cli data-preset-tag=\"p\">\u003Cp>E.g. We have to manually move lots of data which is time consuming and error prone\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli data-preset-tag=\"p\">\u003Cp>E.g. We use Excel, and constantly muddle up and overwrite each other’s work\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli data-preset-tag=\"p\">\u003Cp>E.g. We are not able to make reports which make sense, and can’t make data driven decisions\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\u003Cp>Consider how solving these problems will generate an ROI for your business. Please see our article\u003Ca href=\"\u002Fblog\u002Fhow-to-fix-repetitive-and-costly-mistakes\"> 21 Indicators that lack of tech is slowing scaleup growth, for inspiration on these.\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Why are these problems worth solving? What does that mean to you and the business?\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>How do we ensure that we aren’t solving problems for the sake of it?\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>How do we ensure that solving a problem has a positive impact for the business?\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Ensuring that solving a pain point generates a return on investment, or empowers the achievement of strategic objectives make a problem worth solving.  Do the problems you want to solve generate enough value to make it worth the investment of time and money?\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Summarising why these problems are worth solving helps gauge the value of completing the project, and allows us to set measures of success – how do we know it was done correctly?\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Consider answering the following questions\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cul>\u003Cli data-preset-tag=\"p\">\u003Cp>What growth opportunities are unlocked by solving the pain points above?\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli data-preset-tag=\"p\">\u003Cp>How will it either save you money, or allow you to generate more revenue?\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli data-preset-tag=\"p\">\u003Cp>How will this project better allow you to achieve business objectives?\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli data-preset-tag=\"p\">\u003Cp>How will you measure the success of this project?\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli data-preset-tag=\"p\">\u003Cp>Why is solving these problems, and this project valuable to the business?\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>What has been tried so far?\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>You may have already tried to solve some of the pain points in this software brief. If so, what have you tried? What worked well and what failed?\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Understanding this allows us as solution providers to learn from your previous work, and rule in\u002Fout solutions going forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>For example, have you tried any off the shelf software to solve the problem? If so, why didn’t this work? Did aspects of it work? How would you implement a better solution?\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>If you have documentation for the processes at hand, also consider including those here.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>What other software are you using right now which relates to this problem?\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Understanding what else is in play ensures we don’t get tunnel vision, and that we consider the wider landscape.  Consider listing the following:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cul>\u003Cli data-preset-tag=\"p\">\u003Cp>Current software you use which you believe should be replaced\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli data-preset-tag=\"p\">\u003Cp>Current software you think might be impacted by this project\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli data-preset-tag=\"p\">\u003Cp>Current software you want to keep, and integrate into this solution (e.g. we use accountancy software X, and want invoices to be created automatically)\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli data-preset-tag=\"p\">\u003Cp>Software you’ve seen and think would be beneficial for your business\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\u003Ch2>What do I need to add to understand the solution?\u003C\u002Fh2>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>What key features do you see being present in the solution?\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>You may have already ideated a solution, if so, feel free to bullet point how you see this working, or attach any documentation, mind maps etc you’ve put together.  E.g.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cul>\u003Cli data-preset-tag=\"p\">\u003Cp>We want this to integrate with our accounting software, so that we don’t need to manually create invoices\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli data-preset-tag=\"p\">\u003Cp>We need our clients to log into a portal and see information about their account without having to contact us\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli data-preset-tag=\"p\">\u003Cp>We need to have a reporting suite to we are able to see real time information on the use of the system and the revenue generated through it at any one time\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Budget: What are you willing to invest to solve this problem?\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>This can be tricky, most people don’t know how much software costs!  Why would you? It’s like someone knowing how much a cake factory costs.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>It’s important to assess a budget against the Return on Investment the project will generate for the business, so it’s an investment and not a blind cost. \u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>For example, “It will cost £50k” might look scary with no context, however, “The project will create £150k in cost savings for a £50k investment” is a much clearer decision!\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>In any case, consider a budget, even if it’s just how many 0’s the investment level has.  A good solution provider will bring up budget before proposal, and an open and honest conversation should ensue.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Timescales\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Timescales must align between your business, and those put forth by a solutions provider.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>For example, a solutions provider will likely already have a pipeline of work and will not likely be able to start the project immediately – it has to be scheduled in.  Knowing that in advance allows for an alignment of expectations before a proposal is put forward, and saves everyone time.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>If you have key dates which must be met, add these here.  Consider the following:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cul>\u003Cli data-preset-tag=\"p\">\u003Cp>Financial year & budgets\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli data-preset-tag=\"p\">\u003Cp>Marketing campaigns\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli data-preset-tag=\"p\">\u003Cp>Key stakeholders, e.g. if you must onboard your clients, are the clients themselves on a cycle which could line up with a launch of software\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Stakeholders\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Consider who is important to engage with for the solution.  We advocate that the following people are involved in the process:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cul>\u003Cli data-preset-tag=\"p\">\u003Cp>Who ever is making the final decision, this is generally the managing director, or someone from the leadership team if that decision is designated.  Involving them too late is likely to lead to a situation where they do not have the information they need to make a decision\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli data-preset-tag=\"p\">\u003Cp>Who will be managing the project day to day from your perspective? Ensure they are involved from the get go\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli data-preset-tag=\"p\">\u003Cp>Who are the key users of the software to be implemented? Ensure they are a part of the process when defining the problem and the solution – having these people invested and bought into the process makes it easier to implement the software into your business later\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Decision Criteria\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>It’s important to decide what you’re looking for from a proposal, and how you will choose the best proposal for your business.  This makes it clear internally from the outset what you’re looking for, and makes it easier for you to communicate that with suppliers throughout the buying process.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>For example, you may feel that one of price, ROI, experience, timescales or quality of the solution are important.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>If a supplier puts forward a proposal focussing on the shortest timescale, but you actually care about the highest ROI, the process with that supplier may not have been the best use of time.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Having these also makes it easier for you to score proposals objectively, meaning you are able to pick the proposal best for your business.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cbr>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch2>What are common mistakes I must avoid?\u003C\u002Fh2>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Lacking detail\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>It’s common for us to see a one page software development brief summarising how a solution might look, with a request for a quote on that solution.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>It’s great that effort has been made to document the project, but in this form it’s generally not informational enough to go straight to a proposal.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>You will likely receive a proposal with lots of assumption, and detailing a solution which will not fit your needs as a business.  You may also receive proposals which are solving different problems (as they are assumed), so it’s hard to compare them like for like.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Designing a solution, without detailing\u002Funderstanding pain points, objectives or ROI\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>When bypassing these steps and looking straight at a solution, how are we sure that the solution actually solves your problems?\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>How do we sense check it to make sure it hits business objectives?\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>How do we assess the investment required for the solution and check that there is a positive Return on Investment?\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>How will we mutually be confident the project is worth doing?\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Without answering these questions, you may not feel confident making a decision once you have proposals, simply because it’s ambiguous whether the project is even worth doing.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Answering these questions first, ensures the project is viable before jumping into designing a solution.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Providing a software brief which is the solution\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>We always think it’s great when this has been thought through, but we will still advocate that we go through our process to understand the problems and ROI.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>If we do not, you face 2 key risks:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cul>\u003Cli data-preset-tag=\"p\">\u003Cp>How do we ensure we understand the problems and value? How do we ensure that the solution you’ve design fixes these?\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli data-preset-tag=\"p\">\u003Cp>How do we ensure that the solution is the best solution possible?\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\u003Cp>It’s also worth considering why you are engaging a solution provider in the first place.  Is it because they are technically competent and experienced? If so, are they the best people to design the solution alongside you, based on problems you’ve put forth?\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Pushing for a proposal\u002Fcost before understanding ROI and value\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>The problems this causes have a lot of cross over with the above.  This generally involves short cutting the process and putting forward a proposal without answering key questions about the project.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>When we’re put in this position, we will always bow out rather than put forth a proposal, as it’s morally better for us to shake hands and call it a day, rather than putting forward a solution which we simply cannot justify.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>We must follow our process to ensure we have a mutual agreement with you that the project has value.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>If a project is started under these circumstances, it makes it hard at the end of a project to understand whether it was a success or not.  The software may have been delivered successfully, but has it actually had a positive impact on the business?\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Equally, it may be discovered that a project is actually not worth doing or the ROI doesn’t stack up, and this is also fine!\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>A good solution provider will discover this early in the process, and will not want to spend your money on a project which does not generate ROI.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Assuming a project is able to start immediately after contract award\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Solutions providers like us generally have carefully managed project plans with multiple ongoing projects, it’s rare that we’re able to start immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>For example, we’re generally able to start planning, discussing and designing the solution fairly quickly, but we typically have a lead time of weeks, at any given time, before core development on a project can start.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>It’s worth assuming that a lead time of 8 weeks may be typical, but this will vary amongst solution providers.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp> \u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch2>Conclusion\u003C\u002Fh2>\u003Cp>Technology can be hard.  Most businesses don’t have anyone in the leadership team who are professionally qualified to understand it.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>However, what you do know are your business, your objectives, and the problems you face.  Writing a software development brief which highlights these, along side your objectives, allows a solutions provider to design a technical solution which solves these, and for you to assess the best provider.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>In summary:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cul>\u003Cli data-preset-tag=\"p\">\u003Cp>Focus on the problems & objectives, the value solving these generates, and how that should be measured\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli data-preset-tag=\"p\">\u003Cp>Summarise this as an ROI for the business, how much money is saved, or revenue is generated by achieving this?\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli data-preset-tag=\"p\">\u003Cp>Putting thought into a solution is great, but making this the sole objective must be avoided, to ensure the solution providers are able to put forth a solution which they believe solves your problems and generates ROI\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\u003Cp>If you use this software development brief, please feel free to also submit it to us to start a conversation around your project!\u003C\u002Fp>","Process Improvement & Automation","","2025-03-12T00:00:00+00:00",false,0,"2026-05-05T23:47:03.427422+00:00","2026-05-05T23:47:03.518+00:00"]