Product Consultant
Know exactly what to build before you spend a dollar on development.
Why founders choose product consulting services
Avoid expensive mistakes
Most founders build the wrong thing first. I make sure you're solving the right problem before anyone writes a line of code.
A plan anyone can execute
You walk away with a scope document detailed enough that any development team can build from it without guessing.
Honest scope and budget
No inflated estimates to win your business. Realistic timelines and costs based on what you're actually building.
Built-in scope discipline
I define what is in V1 and what is not. That decision saves you months and tens of thousands of dollars.
We start with the real problem, not the feature list.
Every Product Consultant engagement starts with a working session where we strip away assumptions and get to what actually needs to be solved. Most founders come in thinking they need a specific feature. They leave with clarity on what the product needs to do and why.
The deliverable is a written scope document delivered by the end of the engagement. Not a deck. Not a list of ideas. A real plan any development team can execute against.
You have someone in your corner. Not a vendor on the outside.
I work directly inside your project. Your Slack, your documents, your conversations with the development team. Not as an outside advisor sending recommendations by email. As the technical partner who is actually in it with you.
Two to four weeks depending on engagement scope. By the time the engagement ends your team knows exactly what to build and how to build it.
Every engagement has a finish line. On purpose.
The deliverable is a signed scope document, a working session with your team, and a 30 day check-in window after delivery.
Then it is done. No open-ended retainer disguised as a project. No scope that quietly expands. If you want ongoing product leadership after the engagement wraps, that is what the Product Partner offering is for.
“Dave is amazing! Super easy to work with and an effective collaborator, taking complex problems and developing successful tech solutions.”
How a Product Consultant engagement runs.
- 01
Discovery call
30 minutes to understand your situation. If it is a fit we define scope and get started within the week.
- 02
Problem diagnosis
We work through what you are actually trying to solve. Not the feature list you came in with. The outcome you actually need.
- 03
Opportunity scoping
I map out what needs to be built, what does not, what V1 looks like versus V2, and what it will realistically cost and take to build.
- 04
Scope document delivery
A complete written product scope document your development team can execute against. Reviewed together in a working session.
- 05
30 day check-in
One follow-up session after delivery to answer questions and make sure the build is tracking correctly against the scope.
Is a Product Consultant right for you?
This is for you
- You have an idea or a problem and want to build software to solve it.
- You are not technical and want someone to translate your vision into a real plan.
- You want to know what it will cost and how long it will take before committing to a build.
- You have had a bad experience with a development team before and want to get it right this time.
- You have serious budget for the build itself and want to make sure it is well spent.
This is not for you
- You want someone to validate that your idea is great rather than give you an honest assessment.
- You do not have budget for the actual build yet.
- You are looking for general business strategy beyond the product scope.
- You want the cheapest option available.
- You are not ready to act on the recommendations.
Questions about this engagement.
What is the difference between Product Consultant and just hiring an advisor?
Most advisors give you advice and leave. I give you a deliverable. A complete scope document your development team can execute against. The engagement has a defined output, not an open-ended advisory relationship.
Do I need to already know what I want to build?
No. If you know what you want to build I scope it properly. If you are not sure yet I start with a discovery phase to identify the right opportunity first. We figure out where you are on the first call.
Can you help me find a development team after the scope is done?
I can make recommendations but I do not place developers. What I can do is stay involved through the Product Partner offering to manage the development relationship once the build starts.
How long does a Product Consultant engagement take?
Two to four weeks depending on the complexity of what you are building and how much discovery work is needed upfront.
What if I want you to build it after the scope is done?
That is the Product Builder engagement. Many clients move from Product Consultant into Product Builder once the scope is complete. We discuss that option at delivery if it makes sense.
Explore the rest
Every engagement is scoped. Pick the one closest to where you are.
Product Lead
You have an idea or a problem. I turn it into a clear plan with a scope document, realistic budget, honest build recommendation. Everything a dev team needs to build it correctly.
Product Builder
I build your product using AI-assisted development. Faster and cheaper than outsourced teams, without you managing a single developer or reviewing a single line of code.
Let's see if we're a fit.
Book a free 30 minute call. We'll talk through what you're building, where you're stuck, and whether working together makes sense.