Software Development
Technical and Software Consulting From Senior Engineers
Get a clear, written answer to a hard technical question before you commit budget: what to build, what to buy, and what it will take.
- A written recommendation you can act on
- Risks and costs stated plainly
- An answer from engineers who build
- No obligation to build with us
Overview
Some decisions are expensive to get wrong: which platform to build on, whether to rebuild an aging system, whether a vendor quote is realistic, whether the software behind an acquisition is sound. These are questions for engineers who have built and run production systems, and they deserve a direct answer.
A good technical review ends with a decision you can act on: a recommendation, the reasoning, the risks and what it will cost.
Capabilities
What our software consulting covers
Architecture reviews
An independent look at how a system is designed and where it will struggle as it grows.
Technical due diligence
An assessment of the code, infrastructure and team behind a company or product you plan to invest in.
Build or buy decisions
A costed comparison of custom software, off-the-shelf products and a mix of both.
Project rescue
A plan for a project that is late, unstable or over budget, starting with what to fix first.
Roadmap and scoping
A phased plan for a new product with scope, team and timeline for each stage.
Vendor and proposal review
A second opinion on a quote or proposal from another firm before you sign.
Why Dude Lemon
Why teams ask us for advice
You speak with engineers who build and run software every week. Our recommendations come with the detail needed to act on them, such as the order of work, the people required and the points where things usually go wrong.
Build, buy or improve
Custom software is the right choice when the process it supports is what sets your business apart, or when no product fits without heavy workarounds. A bought product is the right choice when the need is common and the product is mature. Many situations call for both: a platform for the standard parts and custom work where you differ.
How we work
A clear path from idea to production.
The question
We agree the decision you need to make and what a useful answer looks like.
.01Access and review
We read the code, documents and proposals, and speak with the people involved.
.02Findings
We write up what we found, rated by how much each point matters.
.03Recommendation
We present the options, our recommendation and the reasoning, and answer your questions.
.04Next steps
If you want help acting on it, we scope the work. If not, the report is yours to use.
.05Architecture review, Code review, Due diligence, Cost estimation, Roadmap planning, Vendor assessment
Engagement and pricing
Custom pricing, based on project scope.
Every project is scoped individually. After a short discovery call you receive a clear written estimate, with no obligation. The engagement types below show how we usually structure the work.
Focused review
One question answered in writing.
- Architecture or proposal review
- Written findings
- Walkthrough call
Due diligence
A full assessment of a product and its engineering.
- Code and infrastructure review
- Team and process assessment
- Risk-rated report
Ongoing advisory
A senior engineer available to your leadership team.
- Regular working sessions
- Review of key decisions
- Hiring and vendor support
Technical Consulting FAQ
Frequently asked questions.
Anything we have not answered here, ask us directly. A senior engineer replies.
Contact usWhat does a technical consulting engagement produce?
A written report with findings, a clear recommendation, the reasoning behind it, the risks and an estimate of cost and effort. We walk you through it and answer questions.
Do we have to build with you afterwards?
No. The assessment is yours to use with any team. Many clients do continue with us, and some take the plan to their own developers.
Can you review a proposal or quote from another firm?
Yes. We check whether the scope, timeline and cost are realistic, point out what is missing, and suggest questions to ask before you sign.
Can you assess software before an acquisition or investment?
Yes. We review the code, infrastructure, security and engineering process, and report on the risks and the likely cost of addressing them.
Can you advise us on an ongoing basis?
Yes. We offer ongoing advisory where a senior engineer joins your leadership discussions, reviews key decisions and supports hiring and vendor choices.
Let us scope your technical consulting project.
Book a free discovery call. You will hear from a senior engineer, not a sales rep, with a clear view of scope, timeline, and cost within two business days.