Advisory Sprint
Three to six weeks to prioritize use cases, define architecture and roadmap, and prove value with targeted proofs of value. Designed to unlock momentum and set up a 180‑day execution plan, the sprint blends stakeholder alignment with hands‑on experiments so recommendations are grounded in evidence.
Overview
The Advisory Sprint is our rapid, evidence-based approach to strategic planning and value discovery. In three to six weeks, we transform ambiguity into actionable roadmaps, prioritized use cases, and validated architecture decisions. This intensive engagement combines executive alignment, technical discovery, and hands-on proofing to de-risk your AI and platform investments.
Ideal for organizations at the beginning of their transformation journey, the Advisory Sprint establishes the foundation for sustained success. We deliver not just recommendations, but working proofs that validate assumptions and build confidence across stakeholders.
Deliverables
Stakeholder Alignment
- Stakeholder map and influence analysis
- Business KPIs and value hypotheses
- Decision-making framework and governance model
- Communication plan and success metrics
Technical Foundation
- Data inventory and quality assessment
- Risk and compliance review
- Reference architecture and technology stack
- Integration contracts and API specifications
Execution Roadmap
- Prioritized use case portfolio
- Quick-win worksheet and 180-day plan
- Resource requirements and timeline
- Risk mitigation and success criteria
Proofs of Value
- 1–2 targeted experiments
- Reusable components and templates
- Performance benchmarks and metrics
- Documentation and knowledge transfer
Methodology
Discovery & Alignment
We conduct stakeholder interviews, analyze current state, and map business objectives to technical capabilities. Through facilitated workshops, we establish shared understanding of priorities, constraints, and success criteria.
- Stakeholder mapping and influence analysis
- Current state assessment and gap analysis
- Business KPI identification and baseline measurement
- Decision-making framework establishment
Architecture & Planning
We design target and interim architectures, evaluate use cases, and develop execution roadmaps. Technical decisions are documented with trade-offs and decision records to enable fast future changes.
- Reference architecture design
- Use case portfolio evaluation and prioritization
- Risk assessment and mitigation planning
- 180-day execution roadmap development
Proofs of Value
We execute targeted experiments to validate the riskiest assumptions around data quality, evaluation approaches, system performance, and cost. Each proof produces reusable components and clear recommendations.
- Experimental design and execution
- Data quality and pipeline validation
- Performance and cost benchmarking
- Reusable component development
Use Case Portfolio
We evaluate candidate use cases across multiple dimensions: business value, technical feasibility, data readiness, risk profile, and time-to-impact. Each shortlisted opportunity has clear ownership, measurable success criteria, and defined dependencies.
Our evaluation framework ensures alignment between business objectives and technical capabilities. The prioritized portfolio serves as the first sprint backlog for the build squad, enabling immediate execution upon sprint completion.
Reference Architecture
We define target and interim architectures that balance ambition with pragmatism. The architecture includes agent patterns, retrieval pipelines, integration contracts, data governance frameworks, security controls, and SRE expectations.
Trade-offs are explicitly documented with architectural decision records (ADRs) to speed future changes and maintain consistency. The architecture serves as the blueprint for all subsequent delivery phases.
Architecture Components
- Agent patterns and orchestration
- RAG systems and knowledge bases
- Data pipelines and governance
- Security and compliance controls
Integration Points
- API contracts and specifications
- Event-driven architecture patterns
- Third-party integrations
- Legacy system modernization
Proofs of Value
We run 1–2 focused experiments to de-risk the riskiest assumptions: data quality, evaluation approach, system latency, and unit cost. Each experiment has clear exit criteria and produces reusable components that feed directly into delivery.
Proofs are designed to be quick, focused, and conclusive. They validate technical assumptions while building stakeholder confidence and creating tangible artifacts for the build phase.
Operating Model
We establish roles, forums, and cadences for effective decision-making: architecture review boards, model risk governance, incident processes, and KPI reviews. The outcome is speed with control—leaders see progress and risk early.
The operating model ensures sustainable execution beyond the sprint. We design governance structures that balance agility with oversight, enabling fast decisions while maintaining appropriate controls.
Case Example
Bank Claims Modernization Sprint
Challenge: A major financial institution needed to modernize claims processing while reducing costs and improving customer experience. Multiple competing priorities and unclear technical feasibility created uncertainty.
Approach: Over six weeks, we conducted stakeholder interviews, evaluated five candidate use cases, executed proofs of value for retrieval quality and latency, and defined a comprehensive two-quarter roadmap.
Results:
- Leadership approval for a dedicated build squad
- Target SLOs agreed and documented
- Budget anchored to measurable value outcomes
- Clear technical foundation for execution
- Stakeholder alignment across business and IT
Ready to start your Advisory Sprint?
Let's discuss your goals and define a path forward.