You paid for the system. Your team still runs on spreadsheets.
For owner-led and growing businesses whose software, automation, or integration project went over budget, ran past its deadline, or went live and never got used. I'll tell you what is actually wrong, what it takes to fix, and then help you fix it, without a six-figure engagement.
It usually looks like one of these
It was supposed to be done months ago
The consultant keeps finding new things to build, the invoices keep coming, and nobody can tell you what “done” looks like.
It's live, but nobody uses it
Your people keep their own spreadsheets and sticky notes because the new system is slower than the way they already work.
The tools don't talk to each other
Quotes, jobs, invoices, and customer details live in separate places, and someone is retyping the same thing every day.
You can't tell who is right
The vendor says it works, your team says it doesn't, and you don't have an IT department to referee.
Look, decide, fix
Most small and mid-sized businesses don't have a technology leader on staff. I act as that person for as long as it takes to get the project back on solid ground, then hand it back to your team.
A straight answer
A short, independent review of what was built, what it cost, and what your team actually needs. You get a plain-English summary, not a 60-page report.
A fix-it plan you can afford
What to keep, what to cut, and what to do first, with a clear scope and a budget you can say yes or no to. Sometimes the answer is to simplify, or to switch.
Hands-on help getting it used
Cleaning up the data, fixing the integrations, automating the repetitive steps, and training your team until the system is how the work actually gets done.
Big-program experience, sized for a growing business
I've spent 27+ years designing, fixing, and delivering business systems, including large federal and Fortune 100 programs. I run my own consulting firm, so I know what it's like to be a small team making technology decisions with real money on the line.
- Led six Agile teams on a multi-million-dollar federal digital transformation program as Principal Enterprise Architect.
- Led the strategic advisory work to define the target architecture and migration of 26 enterprise applications for a federal agency.
- Founded and ran my own consulting firm for twelve years (1999–2011), delivering business automation, web platforms, and custom applications.
- Hands-on across databases, integrations and APIs, custom development, and AI-assisted automation, so I have no single product I need you to keep.
Common questions
Do we have to start over?
Usually not. Most stalled projects can be simplified and finished for far less than starting again. If starting over is cheaper, I'll tell you that too.
Can you work with our current vendor?
Yes. I can sit on your side of the table as an independent second opinion, or take over the work if that's what you need.
We're small. Is this worth it for us?
That's who this is for. A short review often saves more than it costs, because it stops money going into something that isn't working.
Not sure what went wrong?
Tell me where things stand. A direct conversation is the first step, and I'll give you an honest read.