The engagement

AI Architecture Review

A specialist follow-on for one or two workflows where model cost, data sensitivity or infrastructure ownership deserves deeper analysis. The review compares closed APIs, hybrid, private and self-run paths, including whether the workflow should use AI at all.

01What you get

What sits in the report

Seven sections. One written report. The go / no-go recommendation is named in one sentence on page one, with the savings and infrastructure logic behind it.

  1. Workflow map

    Every manual, software, and AI step in the workflow you scope. Inputs, outputs, hand-offs, where humans still belong.

  2. AI usefulness review

    Where AI actually moves the needle, and where a rule, template, or removed step would do the job for less cost and risk.

  3. Data sensitivity assessment

    What data flows through each step, what can leave your perimeter, what cannot. Plain language for legal and security review.

  4. Closed API vs open-weight vs private deployment comparison

    Side-by-side on your workflow across API, hybrid, private cloud, and self-run paths. Assumptions written down so you can challenge them.

  5. Cost, risk, and speed model

    Fully loaded cost, residual risk, latency, and break-even point per option at your stated volume.

  6. Go / no-go recommendation

    One sentence on page one: keep on API, move private, simplify, or stop using AI for it. A written argument behind it.

  7. Practical infrastructure path

    If the recommendation is to change architecture, the report names the first three concrete steps toward a private or self-run setup — not a slide deck.

02Scope

This is not implementation

The Architecture Review itself does not include a build. It tells you whether implementation is worth doing, what architecture fits, what savings are realistic and what trade-offs to expect.

Implementation can be scoped separately after the recommendation. The review is not tied to any infrastructure provider or required implementation engagement.

03Honest filter

This is not the right fit if

Use this filter before going deeper — it saves both of us time.

  • You do not have a specific workflow in mind.
  • You only want general AI brainstorming.
  • You want someone to build a chatbot immediately.
  • You are not ready to share basic workflow and data context.
  • You need a full compliance / legal assessment (we touch data sensitivity, not formal DPIA sign-off).
04Process

Four steps from first-pass report to Architecture Review

  1. First-pass report

    You describe the workflow, current tools, and what is prompting the review. The instant report shows whether the workflow has enough signal for deeper analysis.

  2. Scope confirmation

    Plain language: scope, inputs, timeline, and next step. You decide whether the deeper review makes sense.

  3. Architecture Review (2–3 weeks)

    We map the workflow, benchmark on your data where applicable, and model cost / risk / speed across the architecture options.

  4. Written report + walkthrough

    Recommendation on page one. Walkthrough call. The report is yours; we do not gate-keep conclusions.

05Review scope

How we scope the Architecture Review

Scope
One workflow reviewed end-to-end. Two if they are tightly related. Broader scopes need a separate scope confirmation.
Duration
Two to three weeks from kick-off.
Output
Written decision report + walkthrough call. You own the report.
Next step
After the first-pass report, we confirm the scope, inputs, timeline, and next step before the review begins.
Confidentiality
Mutual NDA available on request before kick-off.
Data handling
See the Privacy Policy. We do not retain your data beyond the engagement.
06Common questions

Common questions before a deeper review

Is private deployment cheaper than closed APIs?

It depends on volume, latency targets, and ops capacity. For many low-volume workflows, closed APIs are cheaper fully loaded. We model your specific case, including the break-even point for private or self-run infrastructure, so you decide on numbers, not slogans.

Do you always recommend moving off closed APIs?

No. A review can conclude that changing architecture is not justified. The written recommendation can be to keep the API, move private, simplify, or stop using AI for the workflow.

What if AI is not the right tool for our workflow at all?

We will say so. “Simplify” covers replacing AI with a rule, template, or removed step where that is the honest answer. We do not stretch a problem to fit a model.

Do you build the system during the review?

Not during the review. The review tells you whether implementation is worth doing, what architecture fits, what savings are realistic, and what trade-offs to expect. Implementation can be scoped separately afterwards.

Can we sign an NDA before sharing details?

Yes. Mutual NDA on request before kick-off; we can sign earlier if counsel requires it before you share sensitive architecture.

Do you work outside the EU?

No. Engagements are limited to EU and EEA organisations, with processing in that footprint.

Why one or two workflows, not more?

Depth beats breadth. One workflow reviewed honestly is more useful than ten skimmed. Two tightly related workflows can fit a single scope; broader scopes need separate scope confirmation.

Start with the process. If deeper cost, risk or infrastructure analysis is justified, an Architecture Review can follow.