A Proper Sendoff

I want to reference back something that I said earlier about FDEs being shock troopers. At least at Benmore, this is the case. FDEs are specifically positioned to provide an unprecedented level of value, completely transform a project, and then move to another deployment.

The Complete Benmore Engagement Lifecycle

 ┌────────────────┐     ┌────────────────┐     ┌────────────────┐
 │                │     │                │     │                │
 │  1. SALES      │     │  2. DISCOVERY  │     │  3. DEFINE     │
 │     HANDOFF    │────►│                │────►│                │
 │                │     │  Extract       │     │  User Flows    │
 │  Intro &       │     │  Research      │     │  MVP List      │
 │  vouch         │     │  Recommend     │     │  Tech Req      │
 │                │     │  Agree         │     │  Spec Tree     │
 │                │     │                │     │                │
 └────────────────┘     └────────────────┘     └────────────────┘
         │
         │
         ▼
 ┌────────────────┐     ┌────────────────┐     ┌────────────────┐
 │                │     │                │     │                │
 │  4. BUILD      │     │  5. DELIVER    │     │  6. SUPPORT    │
 │                │────►│                │────►│                │
 │  Prototype     │     │  QA Complete   │     │  25% Model     │
 │  Dev Comped    │     │  Demo          │     │  FTE Model     │
 │  Refactor      │     │  Docs          │     │  Handoff       │
 │  QA            │     │  Case study    │     │                │
 │                │     │                │     │                │
 └────────────────┘     └────────────────┘     └────────────────┘

Master Checklist: End-to-End Project Success

Discovery

• Client power structure mapped and project lead designated
• Business and personal goals extracted
• Core problem identified (not just the proposed solution)
• Timing motivation classified (urgency vs. importance)
• Budget capacity and source understood
• Three-pronged framework validated (Scope + Risk + Constraints)
• Recommendation presented, discussed, and agreed upon
• Success criteria defined (objective, internally verifiable)

Definition

• User flows created and client-approved
• MVP feature list documented (scope lock)
• Technical requirements specified
• External system integrations documented
• Database schema defined
• Brand kit established
• Spec Tree built (hierarchical, AI-consumable)

Build

• Prototype built and client-approved
• All specs completed and aligned with Spec Tree
• Code organized and refactored
• Production readiness audits passed
• Manual testing completed (developer)
• QA testing completed (independent reviewer)

Deliver & Support

• Project demo presented to client
• All documentation delivered (Runbook, System Overview, Spec Tree)
• Support model agreed upon
• Knowledge transfer completed (if applicable)
• Case study or testimonial requested

The role itself is still emerging, however, I see, over time, more and more responsibility delegated to the FDE. You could have entire applications directed and built by an FDE in the near future. I hope to see this come to fruition and I will happily be enjoying every moment of Benmore’s FDEs’ continued mobilization and evolution.