01Normalize the scope
Make a shared checklist of user journeys, integrations, migration, testing, launch support, and documentation. Ask each team to mark included, excluded, or needing discovery.
02Understand the commercial model
A fixed price limits some uncertainty only when scope and acceptance are clear. Time and materials offers flexibility but needs a spending cap, reporting cadence, and a clear process for changing priorities.
03Meet the delivery team
Ask who will work on the project, their availability, and how decisions will be made. A polished sales process does not establish the experience of the people doing the work.
04Look beyond the initial build
Clarify source-code access, ownership, hosting accounts, maintenance, security updates, and handover. Establish what happens when the relationship ends.
Editorial approach
This guide offers practical planning questions. It is not a guarantee of delivery outcomes. Adapt the checklist to your project and validate assumptions with the proposed team.
Further reading: GOV.UK Service Manual — related delivery guidance