What is a discovery phase?
A discovery phase is a period of analysis and research at the start of a project. It allows us to establish what a successful project outcome looks like and detail how this success will be achieved. During this period, we hold a series of discovery meetings or sessions with key team members and relevant stakeholders to discuss and understand all areas of the project and its outcomes. This work is crucial. It’s an investment in the success of your project. In our experience, skipping this step can result in resource reallocation, misplanned tasks and milestones, incorrect assumptions and misaligned goals. Ultimately leading to wasted time and money.
There can be an impatience to get things moving quickly, but investing time at this stage will bring better results. Creating a clear and agreed plan of action means we’re all on the same page from day one.
Why do we need a discovery phase?
Even though we will have worked on many similar projects previously, producing an accurate cost and timeline without a discovery phase is difficult. We like to use the analogy of building a house; we know how to build a house, we’ve done it hundreds of times before. But, we haven’t built this exact house before and to make sure it meets requirements, we need to know what those requirements are. How many bedrooms does it need? Is there a need for stairs or is a single story more appropriate? Does it need to have a dining room, an office, an en-suite, a driveway? Discovery provides answers to these questions. And only once we have these can we accurately provide a cost and timeline.
By the time we finish the discovery phase, we’ll have a strong foundation to work from. Working with your team in this way means we have a shared understanding of what project success looks like across the organisation, how to get there and how best to collaborate on this project.
What is covered in the discovery phase?
Typically we explore the following areas during a discovery phase:
Business goals: What is the purpose of this project? What do you need it to do? How does this support your business? What does success look like?
Audience insights: Who are your customers, and how can we design solutions that meet their needs?
Features & functionality: What are the features required? What functions does it need to perform? How might this be extended in the future?
Competitor landscape: What’s happening in your industry? Who are your competitors? Where do you see yourself amongst them and how can you stand out?
Technical requirements: What tools, platforms, or integrations are needed to bring the project to life?
Design preferences: How do you want your brand or product to look and feel? Do you have brand guidelines and/or a style guide?
Planning: What are the must haves, should haves, could haves and won't haves for your project?
How does a discovery session work?
To start the discovery phase, we will want to run a series of discovery sessions with your team and relevant stakeholders. The length of the discovery sessions will depend on the complexity of the project. It can vary from 2–3 hours to 2–3 days. Ideally, sessions are held in person. If this isn't practical or possible we can meet virtually. Having key stakeholders present or able to join at relevant points during the sessions will allow us to find out what project success looks like in detail to departments and individuals and the business as a whole.
These sessions will prove their value beyond data collection. They help us build on our relationships with your team and begin offering support, advice and guidance from the very start of the planning process. Together, we’ll explore your requirements, ask key questions, map out features and functionality, and discuss design elements that will make your project stand out. Taking time to explore here means we can be confident our understanding of the project aligns with yours.
What will this achieve?
After the discovery sessions, we use the information gathered to provide you with a discovery document. This will be a written, detailed specification, timeline and project briefing document that will reflect our combined vision of success.
This will give you a clear and strategic sense of direction outlining:
A thorough understanding of the project’s purpose
An outline of the project scope
A realistic budget and timeline
A strategic plan of action to achieve results
What happens next?
We cost the discovery phase as an individual piece of work. At the end of this phase, the discovery document is yours to use as you wish. If you choose to work with us on the next phase of the project we will go ahead and get started. As you won't be committed to the full project at this stage, you have the option to take the document and use it with another team–it’s entirely up to you. Either way, you’ll walk away with a deep understanding of your project and what it takes to bring it to life.
To talk to us about your project, please get in touch.