When you need speed and depth simultaneously.
1-3 day intensive engagement. We embed with you — on-site or virtually — to diagnose, prototype, and deliver working value in compressed time.
Forward Deployed Engineer model. Maximum impact in minimum time.
FDE Rapid Build in the StoAI service ladder.
Instead of an Audit
When you already know the problem and need rapid validation rather than comprehensive diagnosis.
Before a Sprint
When you want to test-drive working together before committing to 30 days.
After a Sprint
When a new challenge emerges that needs rapid response between AI Ops cycles.
Standalone
When you have a bounded problem that doesn't need full transformation infrastructure.
Forward Deployed Engineer: embedded intensity.
Most consulting engagements create distance: consultants work remotely, deliver reports, and leave. The Forward Deployed Engineer model does the opposite.
We embed with you — physically or virtually — for 1-3 days of intensive, focused work. We're in your environment, understanding your reality, building alongside your team, and delivering working value before we leave.
This isn't a workshop or a planning session. It's hands-on transformation, compressed into days instead of weeks.
Working value, not just recommendations.
Rapid Diagnosis
Deep dive into your workflows, constraints, and opportunities. We map what exists and identify where value lies — all in the first day.
Working Prototype
A functional prototype or agent that demonstrates value. Not a mockup — something you can use immediately to validate decision latency improvement.
Action Plan
Clear next steps: what to build, how to build it, and what it's worth. A roadmap you can execute immediately.
Knowledge Transfer
Your team learns by doing. We build together, so you understand how it works and can extend it yourself.
Intensive, focused, embedded.
DAY 1: DIAGNOSE & DESIGN
- •Deep dive into workflows and constraints
- •Opportunity identification and prioritisation
- •Solution design and architecture
- •Prototype planning
DAY 2: BUILD & ITERATE
- •Prototype development
- •Integration with your systems
- •Testing and refinement
- •Team walkthrough and training
DAY 3: OPTIMISE & HANDOVER
- •Performance optimisation
- •Documentation and runbooks
- •Action plan for next steps
- •Final handover and Q&A
Note: 1-day and 2-day engagements are available for focused scope. We'll compress the process to fit your timeline.
When clients call for FDE.
"We have a board meeting in 10 days"
Need a working demo of AI capability to present to investors or the board
"Our ops team is drowning"
Specific workflow is broken, need rapid prototype to test a fix before committing to full transformation
"We want to try before we commit"
Test the StoAI approach with a low-risk engagement before signing up for a Sprint
"New problem just emerged"
Existing AI Ops client needs rapid response to an urgent challenge between scheduled cycles
This is for you if:
- ✓You have a specific, urgent problem to solve
- ✓You need working value fast (days, not weeks)
- ✓You want hands-on collaboration, not remote consulting
- ✓You have a decision-maker available for the full engagement
- ✓You're ready to move fast and make decisions in real-time
This isn't for you if:
- ✗You need extensive planning and deliberation
- ✗You can't commit focused time during the engagement
- ✗You prefer longer timelines and more structure
- ✗You're looking for a full transformation (consider a Sprint)
- ✗You want to explore multiple options without committing
Priced for intensive engagement.
FDE Rapid Build is an intensive, embedded engagement. The pricing reflects the depth of work and the compressed timeline.
£3,000 – £8,000
Per day
Typical engagement: 1-3 days
Pricing depends on scope and complexity. Includes all materials, documentation, and knowledge transfer. Travel costs additional if on-site.
On-site or virtual. Your choice.
On-Site
We come to you. Maximum collaboration, immediate access to your team, and hands-on work in your environment.
- •Best for complex integrations
- •When team collaboration is critical
- •For sensitive systems or data
Travel costs additional. Typically adds 10-15% to engagement cost.
Virtual
We work remotely with intensive screen-sharing and collaboration. Same intensity, same results, no travel.
- •Faster to schedule
- •No travel costs
- •Works well for most engagements
Our default delivery method. Works exceptionally well for most use cases.
Speed and depth, when you need both.
Use FDE Rapid Build when:
- ✓You have an urgent problem that can't wait for a full Sprint
- ✓You need a working prototype to validate an idea quickly
- ✓You want to kickstart a larger transformation with immediate value
- ✓You need hands-on collaboration to solve a specific technical challenge
- ✓You want to learn by doing, not by reading reports
Consider a Transformation Sprint instead if:
- →You need a complete transformation, not just a prototype
- →You want full deployment and team training
- →You prefer a structured 30-day timeline
- →You need ongoing support and optimisation
Ready for intensive transformation?
FDE Rapid Build isn't for everyone — it requires focus, availability, and the ability to move fast. Book a Clarity Session to discuss whether this is the right approach for your situation.
Book a Clarity Session30 minutes. We'll assess fit and scope the engagement if it's right for you.