Phase 0: Discovery & Planning
Before rebuilding a system, choosing a platform, or committing to a long-term engagement, we start with clarity and alignment.
Phase 0 is a paid discovery and planning phase designed to remove guesswork, surface risks early, and get everyone on the same page — both around the technical direction and how working together might look — before moving forward.
What You Get at the End
By the end of Phase 0, you’ll have:
- Clarity on how Dakota / One Up can best support the project
- A realistic plan of attack
- Reduced risk before committing to a full build
- A roadmap you can move forward with — with or without us
- Prototype and/or proof of concept builds
Time & Scope Boundaries
Phase 0 is intentionally capped to keep it efficient and predictable.
- Flat fee: $1200*
- Typical duration: 2–3 weeks*
- Soft cap: 10 hours*
- Hard cap: 12 hours*
If additional discovery is needed beyond this phase, it’s discussed and approved before moving forward.
When Phase 0 Makes Sense
Phase 0 is a good fit if:
- You want to explore whether working together makes sense before committing to a larger engagement
- You’re planning a new product, rebuild, or major overhaul
- Your current system has grown unstable or hard to maintain
- You need help evaluating vendors, platforms, or technical direction
- You want realistic timelines and expectations before committing
*Fee, Duration, Hours can vary per project depending on size and complexity
What Phase 0 Is (and Is Not)
Phase 0 is planning, research, and alignment — not implementation. It’s the step that makes sure we’re solving the right problems before spending time or money building the wrong thing.
Research & Evaluation
- Industry-specific research and context
- Review of relevant platforms, vendors, and tools
- Evaluation of technical constraints and opportunities
- High-level feasibility checks (including APIs and integrations)
System Review
- Review of existing systems, workflows, and architecture
- Identification of technical debt, risks, and bottlenecks
- Clear separation of what should be replaced vs. retained
Collaboration & Working Sessions
- 1–3 working sessions or demos
- Ongoing clarification and Q&A
- Optional review of existing software or tools (including access, if provided)
Planning Deliverables
- Clear outline of recommended approaches
- Tradeoffs and alternatives explained in plain language
- High-level roadmap with estimated phases and timelines
- Guidance on next steps and engagement options
What Happens After Phase 0
At the end of Phase 0, we decide together how (or if) to move forward.
That might look like:
- A scoped implementation phase
- Targeted technical assistance
- Support while another builder executes
- Or simply handing off the roadmap
There’s no obligation beyond Phase 0.
Ready To Get Started?
The best first step is a quick conversation.
We’ll talk through what you’re working on, what’s already in motion, and what you’re hoping to figure out — no prep required.
From there, we can decide together whether Phase 0 makes sense and what the next step should be.
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