How it works
A structured engagement, from first conversation to engineering handoff.
ProtoPath Systems sits between leadership and engineering teams. Our engagement model is designed to remove the ambiguity that normally costs organizations months of development time.
In short
- Six structured phases, typically 4–10 weeks end-to-end
- Every phase produces documented artifacts — nothing is verbal-only
- Estimates from engineering tighten to within 10–15% of final cost
- We stay involved through handoff to protect scope
Engagement phases
Six structured phases.
Each phase produces documented artifacts. Nothing is verbal-only.
The six engagement phases
- 01
Discovery session
We begin with a focused working session to understand the business context, the system you're considering, and the outcomes that matter. This frames the engagement and confirms ProtoPath is the right fit before any commitment is made.
Deliverables
- Engagement scope
- Initial system framing
- Confirmation of fit
- 02
Workflow mapping
We map how the work happens today — across teams, tools, and systems. This phase makes the implicit explicit, surfacing the workflows, exceptions, and decision points the eventual software has to support.
Deliverables
- Documented current-state workflows
- Identified exceptions
- Decision and approval points
- 03
Architecture planning
With workflows defined, we outline the system shape — the major components, data structures, integrations, and user roles. This is not implementation, but the architectural framing engineers will work within.
Deliverables
- System component outline
- Data structure draft
- Integration and role mapping
- 04
Prototype creation
An interactive prototype that gives stakeholders a tangible version of the product before engineering begins. Prototypes surface UX and product questions when they're inexpensive to address.
Deliverables
- Interactive prototype
- Validated product direction
- Stakeholder alignment
- 05
Specification documentation
We produce the documentation engineering teams need to build: PRD, technical scoping notes, acceptance criteria, and the artifacts required to estimate and execute confidently.
Deliverables
- Complete PRD
- Technical scoping notes
- Acceptance criteria
- 06
Developer transition support
We coordinate the handoff to your engineering team — or to a development partner from our network — and stay involved through the early build to protect scope and continuity.
Deliverables
- Structured handoff
- Developer introductions if needed
- Ongoing alignment support
Positioning
The bridge between leadership and engineering.
Leadership teams know the business. Engineering teams know how to build software. ProtoPath produces the artifacts that let them work together effectively — without each side having to learn the other's discipline.
Frequently asked
How the engagement actually works
Practical answers to the questions teams ask before committing to a preparation engagement.
Development Readiness
Check if your prototype is ready for development
A short, structured assessment that highlights what's in place and what's missing before engineering begins.