Discovery phase
De-risk your project with research, scope, architecture and a reliable estimate before you build.
Discovery phase with FortuneArcX
Most failed software projects fail before the first line of code — through unclear goals, missing requirements or wrong estimates. A 2–6 week discovery phase with a FortuneArcX business analyst, architect and designer turns your idea into a validated scope, a prototype and a plan you can budget for.
Our discovery phase services
Stakeholder workshops
Structured sessions to align goals, users, constraints and success metrics.
Business analysis
Process maps, user stories and acceptance criteria written in plain language.
Solution architecture
Architecture options with trade-offs, hosting choices and integration map.
UX prototype
Clickable prototype to validate key flows with real users before development.
Estimate & roadmap
Prioritized backlog, release plan, team composition and budget range.
Risk assessment
Technical, compliance and delivery risks with mitigation plans.
Why teams choose this model
- Reliable budget and timeline before committing to development
- Shared understanding between business and engineering
- Fewer change requests during development
- A prototype to show investors or stakeholders
- Deliverables you own — use them with any vendor
A partner you can scale with
Get a free 1-hour consultation on your project
Talk to a senior engineer and a Technical Customer Manager about scope, architecture and budget — no obligation.
Services that work well together
IT consulting
Independent technology advice on architecture, vendors, roadmaps and digital transformation.
Learn moreUI/UX design
Research-driven product design that turns complex workflows into simple, conversion-ready interfaces.
Learn moreCustom software development
Tailor-made platforms, internal tools and SaaS products engineered around your business processes.
Learn moreSaaS development
Multi-tenant SaaS products with billing, onboarding and analytics — from MVP to scale.
Learn moreHow a project runs
Every engagement follows four phases, delivered through a six-step software development life cycle.
- 1
Initiation
We agree goals, constraints, team and communication plan, and sign an NDA.
- 2
Discovery
Requirements, architecture, prototype and a detailed estimate.
- 3
Execution
Two-week sprints with demos, QA and transparent progress reports.
- 4
Closure
Release, documentation, knowledge transfer and optional ongoing support.
Discovery
We clarify goals, users and constraints, then define scope, architecture options and a delivery plan with a clear estimate.
Architecture & design
Solution architecture, UX flows and UI design are agreed before development starts, so the build has no surprises.
Development
Two-week sprints with demos, transparent progress tracking and code reviews on every change.
Testing & QA
Automated and manual testing runs throughout development, not just before release.
Deployment
CI/CD pipelines, staged rollouts and monitoring take your product live safely.
Support & evolution
SLA-backed maintenance, performance tuning and new features as your business grows.
Beyond writing code
Customer experience
Research-driven UX that reduces friction and increases conversion and retention.
Digital transformation
Replace manual work and legacy tools with connected, automated systems.
Cybersecurity
Secure-by-design development, security testing and compliance readiness.
Timeline, cost and what we need from you
Every estimate is transparent. These are the factors that shape it.
What affects the timeline
- Size and complexity of the product idea
- Number of stakeholder groups
- Availability of existing documentation
- Number of integrations to analyse
What affects the cost
- Duration of the discovery (typically 2–6 weeks)
- Team composition (BA, architect, designer)
- Depth of the prototype
- Number of workshops
What we need from you
- Business goals and requirements
- Product vision and roadmap
- Brand and design guidelines
- Supporting documents and system access
- A decision-maker available for reviews
Choose an engagement model
Fixed price
Best for: Small, well-defined projects and MVPs with a stable scope.
- Agreed scope, budget and deadline
- Milestone-based payments
- Changes handled through change requests
Time & material
Best for: Evolving products where priorities change sprint by sprint.
- Pay for actual hours worked
- Full flexibility to re-prioritize
- Monthly budget caps and transparent reporting
Dedicated team
Best for: Long-term products that need a stable, scalable team.
- Team works only on your product
- Predictable monthly cost
- Scale up or down month to month
Technologies we use
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View caseDiscovery phase: FAQ
What do we get at the end of discovery?
A product vision, prioritized backlog, architecture document, clickable prototype, risk register and a development estimate with timeline.
Is discovery mandatory?
Not for small, well-specified projects. For anything new or complex it typically saves more than it costs by preventing rework.
Can we take the results to another vendor?
Yes. You own every deliverable and can use it with any development partner.
Let’s discuss your project
Tell us what you are building or which roles you need. A Technical Customer Manager replies within one business day.
matteo.costa@fortunearcx.com