Before you buy code, validate the build

Software Planning Sprint

Validate how your software should actually be built — before you pay for code.

For two weeks, Prototype steps in as your technical owner to pressure-test your idea and turn it into a build-ready plan. Instead of spending budget on a throwaway prototype, boilerplate repo, or half-working AI agent, you leave knowing what to build first, what to avoid, what it should cost, and the clearest next step.

That next step may be a 6-Week Fractional CTO Sprint, a 6-Week Build Sprint, a smaller scope, or a pause — based on what the brief proves, not a default upsell.

Investment
$3k–$5k
Duration
2 weeks
Cadence
2 weekly strategy calls

Final scope is confirmed after intake. If you move into a Fractional CTO Sprint or Build Sprint within 30 days, Planning Sprint credits are confirmed in the proposal.

Book a software strategy call

Where the Planning Sprint fits

The Planning Sprint validates the build. The 6-Week Fractional CTO Sprint builds the first commercializable piece. The 6-Week Build Sprint ships production-grade software when scope is approved. View all services for advisory, brand website, and funding-readiness offerings.

Step 1 — Start here

Software Planning Sprint

Before you buy code, validate the build

Investment
$3k–$5k
Duration
2 weeks · 2 weekly calls

Prototype acts as your technical owner and turns the idea into a proposal-ready build brief with a recommended next step.

Book a software strategy call
Step 2 — Flagship

6-Week Fractional CTO Sprint

Build the first commercializable piece

Investment
$12k–$18k
Duration
6 weeks · ~60 hours

Senior technical ownership for a demoable, commercializable prototype or product slice — with a sell/validate path.

Explore the Fractional CTO Sprint
Step 3 — Production build

6-Week Build Sprint

Ship the production-grade software slice

Investment
$30k–$45k+
Duration
6 weeks · 10–15 hrs/week

Implementation-heavy delivery when scope is approved and production expectations are higher.

Explore the Build Sprint

Most teams: Planning Sprint → Fractional CTO Sprint → Build Sprint or Retainer. Planning Sprint credits toward the next engagement are confirmed in the proposal.

Who the Planning Sprint is for

This is a fit when you have a software idea or product opportunity and need a credible, proposal-ready build brief before committing a larger budget.

Ideal fit

  • Founders or operators with a software idea that needs scope before build
  • Teams considering a new product, workflow, portal, integration, or AI-supported system
  • Businesses that need a credible build brief before committing a larger budget
  • Clients who want to know what should be built first and what should wait

Strong signals

  • You have an idea, prototype, funding, or mandate — but the build path is not defined yet
  • You want a proposal-ready scope and budget before you commit to a build
  • You would rather de-risk the decision with a small paid step than guess

May not be fit

  • You need a full architecture roadmap or investor-ready diligence package in two weeks
  • You are not ready to fund a build if the brief confirms a clear path
  • You need implementation immediately and already have approved scope — you may be ready for a Build Sprint directly

Proof of work shipped

Curationist.org

Large-scale data + architecture

Led architecture and delivery for a cultural data platform, normalizing millions of records across multiple institutions into a searchable public product.

Read case note

Bevel OS

Modern SaaS + fractional CTO

Built SaaS workflow infrastructure with authentication, invite systems, client/staff portals, and multi-tenant product architecture.

Read case note

Ingenio Legal Tech

Complex domain + ACL/RBAC

Implemented relationship-based ACL/RBAC and onboarding workflows for a legal-tech MVP.

Read case note

What you leave with

  • Product goal and business context
  • Target users and workflows
  • First buildable slice / V1 scope
  • Key assumptions
  • Risks and unknowns
  • High-level technical approach
  • Out-of-scope items
  • Recommended Fractional CTO Sprint, Build Sprint, or pause
  • Budget and timeline recommendation
  • A proposal-ready build brief

The Planning Sprint is scoped as paid discovery. It can also validate an AI workflow before implementation — for example, a proposal writer, responsible sales research workflow, internal knowledge assistant, or eval system. Deeper architecture, delivery roadmaps, or investor-ready packages belong in the Fractional CTO Sprint, Build Sprint, Funding Readiness, or ongoing advisory.

Outcomes you can act on

At the end of the two weeks, you should have:

  • An approved build brief you can act on
  • A proposal-ready build brief and a recommended next step
  • A clear path: Fractional CTO Sprint, Build Sprint, smaller scope, or pause
  • A budget and timeline recommendation for the build

The Planning Sprint turns ambiguity into a confident build decision — and a scope you can move straight into a Build Sprint.

How the Planning Sprint works

A focused two-week engagement anchored by two weekly strategy calls — enough structure to reach a proposal-ready brief without slowing you down.

  1. Intake & goals

    Align on the product goal, business context, and what a good outcome looks like (call one).

  2. Map users & scope

    Map target users and workflows, surface key assumptions, risks, and unknowns.

  3. Define the first slice

    Define the first buildable slice, the high-level technical approach, and what is out of scope.

  4. Deliver the build brief

    Hand over the approved build brief with a recommended Build Sprint scope, budget, and timeline (call two).

Clarify what to build first

Book a software strategy call to discuss your idea, confirm fit, and scope a Software Planning Sprint — the proposal-ready first step toward a Fractional CTO Sprint, Build Sprint, or a deliberate pause.

Book a software strategy call See the Fractional CTO Sprint