Pilot Build
A fixed-fee project to build and ship a working AI prototype.
Ideal for research teams, professional-services units and funded research-led organisations that have a defined workflow and need something working to test before committing to wider implementation.
The Problem
You have a defined AI-supported workflow and a reason to test it, but:
- • No protected in-house development capacity
- • A full software programme would be disproportionate
- • You need something working to test with users and decision owners
- • Previous experiments have stalled in "proof of concept" phase without real handover
You need a working prototype with clear ownership, documentation, and IP transfer, not another demo that dies when the consultant leaves.
What I Deliver
A focused pilot or supervised build when a working prototype is the fastest way to test a workflow change. The objective is not a demo, but a usable system with clear owners, governance, and handover so your team can run it without ongoing dependency.
Working Prototype
Not a slide deck or specification. A functional system you can use with real data and real users.
Documentation and Handover
Code walkthrough, prompt logic, architecture decisions, and failure modes documented. You understand how it works and where the risks are.
Full IP Ownership
All code, prompts, and documentation transfer to you. No ongoing licensing fees or dependency on proprietary systems.
Clear Success Criteria
We define upfront what "working" means. Not vague promises, but measurable outcomes (e.g., 80% accuracy on tagging, processes 100 records/hour, etc.).
How It Works
Opening phase: Scoping and Success Criteria
Define narrow pilot scope: what exactly does this need to do? Establish success criteria (e.g., 80% accuracy on X, processes Y records per hour). Identify data sources and integration requirements.
Delivery phase: Build and Test
I build the prototype using AI-assisted development tools and a modern web or data stack, depending on requirements. Key activities:
- Core functionality implementation
- Integration with your existing tools/data sources
- Testing on representative sample data
- Documentation of failure modes and edge cases
Handover and Training
I walk your team through the code structure, prompt logic, and cost monitoring. You receive full documentation and IP ownership. If you have technical staff, they can extend it. If not, you can run it as-is or hire someone later to modify it.
Outputs
- Working prototype aligned to a defined workflow
- Handover pack (setup notes, roles/ownership, and operating instructions)
- Risk and governance notes (controls required before broader rollout)
- Pilot scorecard (success criteria for adoption, quality, and risk)
Investment
Focused build
£9,500
One bounded workflow and up to five consultant delivery days.
Extended build
£14,000
A more complex workflow or integration surface and up to eight consultant delivery days.
What moves the price:
- • System integrations: Simple spreadsheet workflow (lower end) vs. API integrations with multiple systems (higher end)
- • Data handling requirements: Public data vs. sensitive data requiring security/compliance measures
- • Success criteria complexity: Basic proof-of-concept vs. production-ready accuracy targets
- • Delivery boundary: Focused five-day build vs. an extended scope of up to eight consultant days
Price boundary: All prices exclude VAT where applicable. Agreed travel and third-party costs are confirmed in writing before work starts.
Implementation Pilot (4-6 weeks)
A controlled rollout to embed the workflow change: governance cadence, stakeholder adoption, evaluation, and iterative improvement, ending with a maintainable operating routine.
Outputs
- Implementation plan (owners, timeline, governance cadence)
- Adoption package (training notes, documentation, internal comms draft)
- Evaluation results against the pilot scorecard
- Transition plan to steady-state operations (maintenance ownership and review cycle)
From £15,000
Includes up to 12 consultant days across the rollout. Larger or multi-team scopes are quoted separately. All prices exclude VAT where applicable. Agreed travel and third-party costs are confirmed in writing before work starts.
See the full playbook
Read the rapid AI prototyping guide for more detail on this approach.
Ready to build a pilot?
We start with a Discovery & Governance Sprint to scope the pilot and establish success criteria.
Apply for a Discovery & Governance SprintQuestions? Email [email protected]