Understand.
Investigate the objective, users, data and constraints. Test the assumptions before choosing the technology.
Output / a shared problem definitionHow we work
Understand the system.
Engineer the detail.
Map the dependencies. Challenge the assumptions. Build the interfaces, controls and tests together. Keep the result measurable and the system operable.
The engineering processFrom first question to operation
Keep the engineering connected.
Architect.
Design the interfaces, platform and controls together. Make responsibilities and trade-offs explicit.
Output / an agreed engineering planEngineer.
Build, integrate and test. Exercise important failure cases as deliberately as the intended behaviour.
Output / tested, documented softwareOperate.
Deploy with monitoring, recovery procedures and clear ownership. Agree the support and improvement model.
Output / an operable systemWays to work together
Start where you are.
You do not need a finished specification. The right engagement depends on the question in front of you.
Architecture & review
Investigate the opportunity, examine what exists and identify the important engineering decisions.
Build or improve
Deliver a defined system, strengthen a prototype or improve a difficult integration.
Ongoing engineering
Agree ownership, support coverage and a technical roadmap for a system already in use.
Sometimes the right answer is not AI.
We start with the problem.