The Discovery Phase

What Is Discovery?

Discovery is the structured process of understanding your business needs, existing systems, and requirements before any development begins. It's the foundation that determines whether your project succeeds or fails.

Why Discovery Matters

Cost of Changes

Changes discovered during requirements are cheap. Changes during development are 10x more expensive. Changes after launch are 100x more expensive. Discovery finds issues when they're cheapest to address.

Accurate Estimates

Without understanding the full scope, estimates are guesses. Discovery provides the information needed for realistic timelines and budgets.

Aligned Expectations

Discovery ensures everyone agrees on what will be built before development starts. No surprises at launch.

What Happens During Discovery

Stakeholder Interviews

• Understand business objectives
• Identify key stakeholders and users
• Document pain points and needs
• Establish success criteria

Current State Analysis

• Review existing systems and processes
• Document data sources and flows
• Identify integration requirements
• Assess technical constraints

User Research

• Define user types and roles
• Document user workflows
• Understand user needs and frustrations
• Identify training requirements

Requirements Documentation

• Functional requirements
• Non-functional requirements
• Acceptance criteria
• Priority rankings

Solution Design

• Technical architecture
• Integration approach
• Data model design
• Security architecture

Discovery Deliverables

At the end of discovery, you should receive:

• Requirements Document: Detailed functional and non-functional requirements
• Solution Architecture: Technical approach and system design
• Project Plan: Phases, milestones, and timeline
• Detailed Estimate: Budget based on understood scope
• Risk Assessment: Identified risks and mitigation strategies

Your Role in Discovery

Provide Access

• Key stakeholders for interviews
• End users who will use the system
• Existing systems and documentation
• Sample data and reports

Be Available

Discovery requires your active participation. Budget time for meetings, reviews, and answering questions.

Be Honest

Share the real problems, not just the official story. The more we understand, the better the solution.

Think Long-Term

Don't just solve today's problems. Consider where the business is going and what you might need in 2-3 years.

Discovery Red Flags

Be cautious if a vendor:

• Provides estimates without understanding your needs
• Wants to skip discovery to "save money"
• Doesn't ask detailed questions about your business
• Provides vague or template-based documentation
• Doesn't involve your end users in the process

Discovery Investment

Discovery typically represents 10-15% of total project cost. It's an investment that pays for itself by:

• Reducing scope changes during development
• Eliminating misunderstandings and rework
• Providing accurate budgets and timelines
• Ensuring the right solution is built