Architecture Second Opinion
Architecture is the set of decisions that are expensive to change. Before you make the most expensive one of the year, have someone without a conflict of interest review it.
Architecture decisions usually get made in a meeting. They get paid for over years.
Four moments when a second opinion is worth it
Before a migration
Changing cloud, database or framework is one of the most expensive decisions and one of the hardest to reverse.
Before scaling
What works with a thousand users rarely works with a hundred thousand. The question isn't whether it holds, but what breaks first.
Before building or buying
Building custom or licensing a product defines your cost structure for years.
When the system costs more than it produces
When every small change takes weeks, the problem is rarely the team. It's usually the architecture.
What you get
- An architecture assessment with an explicit, reasoned recommendation
- Alternative scenarios with their cost, risk and time horizon
- A map of dependencies and single points of failure
- An effort estimate for the recommended path
- A technical defense session with your team
How scope is defined
It depends on the size of the system and how many scenarios need to be evaluated. We agree on it with you in writing after the initial technical session.
When the assessment says it's time to intervene
For when the architecture can't hold anymore and it has to be fixed without shutting down operations.
Milestone-based intervention
Every milestone delivers verifiable value. Never everything at once.
Measurement from day one
We measure before touching anything, so the improvement can be proven.
Acceptance criteria
Each milestone closes against criteria agreed in advance.
About the architecture assessment
How is this different from traditional consulting?
We don't hand you a long document to interpret. We deliver an assessment with an explicit recommendation, the alternative scenarios with their cost and risk, and a session where we defend that recommendation to your team.
What if your recommendation contradicts our technical team?
It can happen, and that's what a second opinion is for. Our job is to give you the most honest judgment we have. The technical defense session exists so your team can challenge us live.
Can you carry out the migration you recommend?
Yes, through Critical Systems Rescue. You get the assessment either way, even if you decide to execute it with another provider or your in-house team.
Bring us your most expensive technical decision of the year.
You'll get a preliminary read even if you don't hire anything.