Find the right starting point

Your starting point

We want to use AI, but need to know where to start.

This is a useful place to start when ideas are coming from several directions, people are trying different tools, or you're being asked to approve spending without a clear business case. You can bring one team or a small set of related tasks. We agree how much to look at before the work begins.

Questions we work through

• Where are people losing time or repeating work?
• What would a useful improvement look like for the people doing the job?
• Is the necessary information available and reliable?
• Could an existing tool or a simpler process solve the problem?
• What should you try first, and what should you leave alone?

How we work together

1. Before we begin

You describe the work, who it affects and the decision you need to make. We agree which tasks to review, who should be involved and what information can be shared. If a question needs specialist knowledge outside my scope, we identify that early.

2. Look at the real work

We walk through a few representative tasks with the people doing them. I look at the inputs, handovers, checking and repeated problems, rather than judging the process from a tool demonstration. Where figures are missing, we separate estimates from things that have actually been measured.

3. Compare the options

I compare a small number of useful changes, including options that don't need AI. We discuss setup effort, running costs, review time and who would look after the result. You can challenge the assumptions before they become recommendations.

4. Choose the next move

You receive a written recommendation explaining what to try, why it comes first and what would count as a useful result. We talk through the questions still open. You can use the recommendation with your own team; continuing with me is optional.

What you bring

• A short description of the tasks and the decision you face
• Access to the relevant people for agreed working sessions
• A few approved examples of the work, with sensitive details removed where possible
• Any available time, cost or quality information; missing figures are recorded as gaps

We'll agree how information is shared before you provide anything sensitive.

What you receive

• A summary of the current problem and constraints
• A small, prioritised set of options with trade-offs
• A recommended next step and the questions still unanswered
• A practical outline of what to test and who should be involved

Keeping the work clear

This review does not include building a production system, reviewing every department or certifying security or compliance. If the decision depends on specialist legal, security or industry advice, that input needs its own owner and scope.

How pricing works

A fixed fee is agreed for a defined review. The quote depends on the number of tasks, people involved, available information and depth of comparison. It includes agreed preparation, working sessions, the written recommendation and a discussion of the findings. Additional areas are quoted before they are added.

You'll receive a written scope, fee, payment terms and any applicable tax before the engagement is confirmed. Ongoing support is optional and agreed separately.

Let's talk about your work

Tell me which part of the business you're thinking about and what prompted the conversation.

Not the right starting point? See the other three choices.