Free Resources
Evaluating software options
Tools for figuring out whether to buy, build, or extend — and which option is best.
Custom Portal ROI Calculator
A 5-year build-vs-buy worksheet. Fill in your numbers and see when custom development pays for itself — including the soft costs you usually forget.
- •Off-the-shelf vs custom side-by-side
- •Soft-cost calculation (manual workarounds, errors, lost opportunities)
- •Decision rule of thumb included
Vendor Selection Scorecard
Score any software option on 8 criteria in 15 minutes. Built-in red flags for the demo and the contract.
- •8 criteria × 3 options scored 1–5
- •Red flags to watch in demos and contracts
- •Decision thresholds explained
Planning a project
Frameworks and worksheets for getting a custom software project off to the right start.
The 4-Phase Data Migration Playbook
The exact 4-phase process for switching business systems without losing data, breaking workflows, or causing downtime. Includes a readiness scorecard.
- •Audit → Plan → Migrate → Validate
- •Key questions + success criteria per phase
- •10-item readiness scorecard
Admin Panel Feature Checklist
12 features every internal admin panel should have. Score your current tool (or your spec for a new one) and find what you're missing.
- •12 must-have features with definitions
- •What 'good' looks like per feature
- •Priority by team size (2–5, 5–20, 20+ users)
Hiring help
Vetting guides for choosing the right developer or agency to work with.
Developer Vetting Checklist
20 questions that expose red flags before you sign. Plus 8 contract clauses to insist on and a list of walk-away signals.
- •12 questions to ask in the first conversation
- •8 contract clauses to insist on
- •Walk-away signals in conversation and proposal
Want help applying any of these to your business?
Book a free 30-minute consultation. Send the worksheet or scorecard ahead of time and we'll work through your specific situation together — no pitch, just feedback.
Schedule a free consultation
