How We Work → Billing Options
One contract today,
freedom to pivot tomorrow.
We offer five engagement models—all cross-compatible—so you can start with the right mix of cost-certainty and agility and slide to another model whenever your Feature Clarity Index (FCI) changes.
Key update: Dev-as-a-Service (DaaS) is not just a post-launch support plan. It can run a project end-to-end when you want a long-living squad instead of serial contracts.
Model-to-FCI Matrix
| Model | Typical FCI Entry Band¹ | Best When… | Pricing Mechanic | Typical Horizon | Natural Next Move |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Discovery Sprint | 0 – 4 | Vision > spec, risk high | Fixed fee, 2 weeks | ≤ 2 weeks | Sprint Pod or Mini-DaaS |
| Mini-DaaS (2–3 FTE) | 0 – 6 | Need rapid prototyping with rolling team | Monthly rate (30-day notice) | 1–3 months | Full DaaS or Sprint Pod |
| Sprint Pod (T&M cap) | 5 – 8 | Direction clear, details still move | Weekly cap, steering days | 1–6 sprints | Fixed-Scope or DaaS |
| Fixed-Scope Pack | 8 – 10 | Spec locked, hard deadline | Fixed price per release | 4–12 weeks | Milestone or DaaS |
| Milestone Contract | 7 – 9 | Long roadmap, exec checkpoints | Fixed per milestone | 3–9 months | DaaS |
| Full DaaS (≥ 3 FTE) | 5 – 10 or Post-launch | Need continuous velocity & ops | Monthly squad rate | 6 + months | Scale ± FTE; pause with 30 days |
¹ FCI = Feature Clarity Index. Take the quiz on the Assess page.
Model Deep-Dive Cards
■ Discovery Sprint
Purpose: Sharpen vision, raise FCI, de-risk unknowns
Key Activities: Stakeholder canvas • Three-Layer BPMN L1 • Lean prototype • BDD drafting
Deliverables: Vision map · Draft backlog · Risk heat-map · Budget ± 20 % range
Exit Criteria: FCI ≥ 5 or clearly parked project
Ideal For: New ventures, regulatory ideas, rescue missions
An executive-ready decision pack in ≤ 15 calendar days.
Natural Next Move: Sprint Pod or Mini-DaaS
■ Mini-DaaS (Prototype Squad)
Purpose: Run discovery, spike integrations, build throw-away or keep-able POCs
Team: 1 FE + 1 BE/Apex + 0.5 PM/QA
Billing: Monthly retainer with 30-day cancel/scale
Exit Gate: Either raise to Sprint Pod / Full DaaS or condense into Fixed-Scope for MVP
Think of it as a lean R&D lab with no contract churn.
■ Sprint Pod (Time-&-Materials Cap)
Squad: 4–6 peeps: architect, FE, BE, QA, PM
Rhythm: 2-week sprints • Steering day every 4 weeks
Cap Logic: Weekly hours × rate; can't exceed cap without signed change note
Transparency: Live burn-up, velocity, budget dashboard
Switch Path: Freeze into Fixed-Scope once FCI climbs to ≥ 8
Good for evolving products where learning beats long spec documents.
Natural Next Move: Fixed-Scope or DaaS
■ Fixed-Scope Pack
Scope Lock: Backlog, designs and BDD tests frozen at sign-off
Payment: 30 % / 40 % / 30 % (Kick-off / Mid / Acceptance)
Variance Clause: ≤ 5 % effort absorbed; > 5 % adds mini-change order
Guarantee: No invoice for scope we don't ship
Break-Glass: If volatility > 15 % we shift to Sprint Pod and re-forecast, no penalty
Most CFO-friendly when the spec is stable and time is tight.
Natural Next Move: Milestone or DaaS
■ Milestone Contract
Structure: Series of Fixed-Scope Packs tied to release goals
Review: Retro & FCI re-score after each milestone
Flex: Future milestones re-costed based on new clarity
When to Use: Long multi-year programs or large enterprise roll-outs
Balances enterprise governance with agile steering.
Natural Next Move: DaaS
■ Full DaaS (Product & Ops Squad)
See the dedicated Dev-as-a-Service page for roles, cadence and budget details →
Key differentiator: same squad can deliver Fixed-like milestones inside the retainer by time-boxing backlog slices and locking BDD tests.
■ Channel Partner Program
Ideal for agencies, consultants, and resellers. Earn commission by bringing opportunities, and we handle the technical delivery, either white-labeled or co-branded.
See the dedicated Channel Partner Program page for commission structures, SLAs, and enablement assets →
How DaaS Fits with All Other Models
Zero penalties for moving: we only re-forecast effort; artefacts and code travel intact.
FAQs (focused on DaaS cross-use)
How to Pick (Decision Helper)
| Scenario | Start Model | Likely Evolution |
|---|---|---|
| Brand-new concept, 0 docs | Discovery Sprint → Mini-DaaS | Raise to Sprint Pod when FCI ≥ 5 |
| MVP spec 70 % done, deadline in 12 weeks | Sprint Pod | Freeze into Fixed-Scope for final 6 weeks, then Full DaaS for growth |
| Enterprise re-platform, 18-month roadmap | Milestone Contract | Convert to Full DaaS after Milestone 1 to keep velocity & ops together |
| Live product, need weekly releases & uptime | Full DaaS | Scale squad size as roadmap ebbs/flows |
Still wondering which model fits today?
Take the FCI quiz.
Share your score on a free 30-min steering call.
We'll show a concrete path—switchable at every milestone.