How we work
Four steps. No surprises.
Our delivery process was designed specifically to eliminate the two biggest reasons software projects fail: unclear scope and poor communication. Every engagement follows the same four steps.
The process
Step by step
Discovery
A structured workshop to map your workflow, surface requirements and agree the scope in writing before a single line of code is written.
1–2 weeks- We run user interviews and stakeholder workshops to understand the problem space fully.
- We produce a requirements document and a fixed-price scope before proceeding to architecture.
- You can walk away with the discovery output — it belongs to you.
Architecture
Technology selection, system design and an agreed data model. We produce the blueprint before we build, so there are no surprises mid-project.
1 week- Stack selection rationale document explaining every technology choice.
- Database schema, API contract and integration design reviewed with your team.
- Security and scalability considerations addressed upfront.
Build
Iterative two-week sprints with a working demo and written update every fortnight. You always know where the project stands.
4–20 weeks- Sprint demos in a staging environment — you see it working, not slides about it.
- Code review on every pull request; automated test suite maintained throughout.
- Scope changes are handled via a formal change request process — no hidden cost blowouts.
Launch
A rigorous pre-launch checklist, a go-live window chosen to minimise risk, and a 30-day support window after delivery.
1–2 weeks- Staging-to-production sign-off checklist (security, performance, accessibility).
- Go-live support: Pinnacle engineers on-call for the first 48 hours.
- 30-day warranty period; bug fixes at no extra charge.
Included as standard
What’s in every engagement
- Weekly written project update (every Friday)
- Working demo in staging every sprint (2 weeks)
- Dedicated Slack channel with your engineering lead
- Direct access to the engineer — no account manager layer
- Formal change request process for any scope additions
- Risk register maintained and shared throughout
- Pre-launch sign-off checklist shared with your team
- Code review on every pull request
- Automated test suite (unit + integration)
- CI/CD pipeline on all projects
- WCAG 2.2 AA accessibility check (web projects)
- Security review before go-live
- Performance baseline audit (Lighthouse)
- Staging environment throughout the project
- Full source code (no restrictions)
- User guide and API documentation
- Operations runbook for your team
- Infrastructure access and credentials transfer
- Live walkthrough session with your team
- IP assignment documented and signed
- 30-day warranty (bugs fixed at no cost)
- Pinnacle engineer on call for first 48 hours post-launch
- Optional monthly maintenance retainer (from $1,500/mo)
- Optional team augmentation to continue feature work
- Architecture consultancy available post-delivery
Ready to start the discovery process?
Book a free 30-minute call. We’ll tell you how our process applies to your specific project and give you a rough cost range before we start.