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.
Most founders come in with a list of features they think they need. I throw that list out and start with what you're actually trying to solve. That shift alone saves most clients from building the wrong thing entirely.
By the end of the engagement you've got a written scope document and visual demo. Not a deck, not a brainstorm, not a list of ideas. A real plan your dev team can actually execute against.
You've got someone in your corner. Not a vendor on the outside.
I'm not the guy who shows up to the kickoff call and then sends you a PDF two weeks later. I work directly inside your project. Your conversations, your documents, your back and forth with the development team. I'm in it with you.
We'll work together over two to four weeks depending on scope. By the time we're done your team knows exactly what to build and why.
Every engagement has a finish line. On purpose.
You get a signed scope document, a working session with your team, and a 30 day check-in after delivery. Then it's done.
No open-ended retainer. No scope that quietly expands. If you want ongoing product leadership after this wraps, that's what the Product Lead engagement 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 figure out what you're actually trying to solve. Not the feature list you came in with. The real outcome you need.
- 03
Opportunity scoping
I map out what needs to be built, what doesn't, what V1 looks like versus V2, and what it'll realistically cost and take to build.
- 04
Scope document delivery
A complete written scope document your dev team can execute against. Reviewed together in a working session.
- 05
30 day check-in
One follow-up session after delivery to make sure the build is tracking correctly against the scope.
Is a Product Consultant right for you?
This is for you
- You've got an idea or a problem and you want to build software to solve it
- You're not technical and you need someone to translate your vision into a real plan
- You want to know what it'll cost and how long it'll take before handing anyone money
- You've been burned by a dev team before and you're not doing that again without a plan
- You've got serious budget for the build and you want to make sure it's spent correctly
This is not for you
- You want someone to tell you your idea is great instead of giving you an honest assessment
- You don't have budget for the actual build yet
- You're looking for general business strategy beyond the product scope
- You want the cheapest option available
- You're not ready to act on the recommendations
Questions about this engagement.
What's the difference between a Product Consultant and just hiring an advisor?
Advisors give you opinions and leave. I give you a deliverable. A complete scope document your dev team can actually build from. The engagement has a defined output and a defined end date.
Do I need to already know what I want to build?
Nope. If you know what you want I'll scope it properly. If you're not sure yet we start with a discovery phase to figure it out first. We'll sort that out on the first call.
Can you help me find a development team after the scope is done?
I can point you in the right direction but placing developers isn't part of this. If you want me to stay involved once the build starts that's the Product Lead engagement.
How long does this take?
Two to four weeks depending on complexity and how much discovery work is needed upfront.
What if I want you to build it after the scope is done?
That's the Product Builder engagement. A lot of clients move from Product Consultant straight into Product Builder. We'll talk about it at delivery if it makes sense.
Explore the rest
Not sure this is the right fit? Here's what else I do.
Product Lead
Your build is already in motion but something's off. I come in as the technical lead between you and your developers, fix the communication, lock the scope, and get the thing across the finish line.
Product Builder
You know what you want built and you just need someone to build it. I use AI-assisted development to ship faster and cheaper than any agency you'd hire, without you managing a single person.
Let's see if we're a fit.
Book a free 30 minute call. Tell me what you're building and where you're stuck. I'll tell you honestly whether I can help.