A senior second opinion on the decisions that are expensive to reverse.
Some decisions are cheap to change and some are not. Framework choices are usually reversible. Data models, auth strategy, and which parts you build versus buy are not. This is for teams who have engineers but nobody to check those calls against.
Why people get in touch
No one senior to ask
The team is capable but junior, or capable and too close to it. Decisions get made by whoever feels most strongly that week.
Build or buy, argued in circles
The debate has run for a month. Both positions are defensible, which is exactly why it needs someone with no stake in either.
Hiring without a technical read
You are interviewing engineers without anyone who can evaluate the answers, which is an expensive thing to get wrong.
What the work includes
Architecture review
A written read of the current system, what will break first, and what to do about it.
Decision support
The expensive-to-reverse calls, with the trade-offs written down rather than argued verbally.
Code review
Regular async review that raises the level of the team rather than just catching bugs.
Hiring input
Take-home design, interview questions, and a technical read on candidates.
Weekly call
A standing slot to bring whatever came up that week.
Typical stack
Review
- Architecture
- Data modelling
- Security posture
- Scaling paths
Process
- Code review
- CI standards
- Release practice
Planning
- Build vs buy
- Technical roadmap
- Risk register
Team
- Hiring loops
- Onboarding
- Mentoring
How it goes
A call, not a pitch
Thirty minutes on what you are actually trying to ship. If I am not the right person, I will say so and usually know who is.
A written scope
Before any money moves, you get the outcome, the approach, the price, and what is explicitly out of scope. No hourly surprises.
Work in the open
Branches you can read, demos over status reports, and a written update every day. You always know where things stand.
A clean handover
Documentation, tests, and a walkthrough with your team. The goal is that you do not need me afterwards.
Questions
Not sure if this is what you need?
Thirty minutes, no pitch. If it turns out you need something else — or someone else — I’ll say so.
Book a call