Guide2 min read
What Happens in a Discovery Workshop (and Why Pay)
Paying before the build feels like a delay. In practice, one to two weeks of discovery is the cheapest way to make sure the build is the right one, and to get a price you can trust.
Hassan Kazi
Founder, TrueCodeAI
- Published
ProcessPlanningFounders
What happens
- Kickoff workshop: goals, users, constraints, success metrics.
- User flows and rough screens for every core path.
- Technical review: integrations, data, security and — for AI — a feasibility test on real data.
- Architecture and plan: components, milestones, risks.
- A fixed quote for the build, with scope and exclusions.
Why it pays for itself
- Surfaces the expensive surprises — a missing API, messy data — before they cost build time.
- Replaces a padded, risk-loaded quote with an honest one.
- Gives you documents you own and can take to any vendor.
Deliverables you keep
| Deliverable | Use |
|---|---|
| Scope document | What is in and out of the build |
| User flows and wireframes | Shared understanding of the product |
| Architecture outline | Technical plan and risks |
| AI feasibility results | Evidence the AI part will work on your data |
| Milestone plan and quote | Fixed price and timeline |
Frequently asked questions
How long does discovery take?
One to two weeks for most MVPs and agent projects.
Is it credited against the build?
Ask your vendor; many credit part of it. We tell you our terms upfront.
What if we decide not to build?
You keep all deliverables. Sometimes discovery’s best result is a decision not to build.
