The Copernican AI Sprint

Practical AI clarity and ROI validation in 30 to 45 days.

The Copernican AI Sprint helps leadership teams identify the right AI opportunity, test feasibility with lightweight evidence-of-concept demonstrations using real workflows, and leave with a grounded roadmap for what to build next.

This is an outcome-based engagement designed to reduce risk before major engineering commitments.

How we engage

The Sprint is fixed-scope and outcome-focused. It is not staff augmentation and does not assume full-time availability. We work through structured stakeholder sessions, rapid analysis, and evidence-of-concept demonstrations to produce a clear build, iterate, or pause recommendation.

If your team prefers a lighter weekly cadence, the same outcomes can be delivered over 8 to 12 weeks.

We are also offer a range of other engagement styles, from fractional AI/PM/Ops Lead to full-time staff augmentation, to meet each client at their needs, but we find for most new relationships the Sprint is the best way to discover those needs and add value at the same time.

Core outputs

  • A stakeholder-validated problem and workflow map

  • A prioritized shortlist of high-ROI opportunities

  • Evidence-of-concept demonstrations for one or more workflows

  • A refined ROI and feasibility assessment

  • A clear build, iterate, or pause recommendation

  • A practical roadmap for version 2.0

  • Handoff guidance if a full build is warranted

Sprint stages

  • Content:
    We interview leadership and key operators to map the real workflow, constraints, and success criteria. We identify where AI could plausibly create measurable business value and where it is likely to disappoint.

    Typical outputs:

    • Workflow and pain-point map

    • Initial opportunity hypotheses

    • Success metrics and decision criteria

  • Content:
    We pressure-test the most promising hypotheses with real examples, lightweight no-code exploration, and structured leadership feedback. The goal is to select the opportunity that is both valuable and realistically achievable.

    Typical outputs:

    • Prioritized opportunity shortlist

    • Early feasibility notes and risk flags

    • Leadership-aligned focus choice

  • Content:
    We run structured demonstrations using real inputs and representative workflows. This is designed to reveal quality, speed, failure modes, and the true requirements of a full build.

    Typical outputs:

    • Evidence-of-concept results

    • Before-and-after comparisons

    • Clear articulation of what a full build would require

  • Content:
    We synthesize findings into a clear recommendation and a practical path forward. The Sprint ends with executive clarity, not open-ended uncertainty.

    Typical outputs:

    • Build, iterate, or pause recommendation

    • Refined ROI

    • Version 2.0 roadmap and sequencing

Four ways to start

  • Best when:
    You know AI matters but are unsure where to begin.

    What we focus on:
    Mapping the opportunity space and identifying the top 1 to 3 high-ROI candidates.

    What you leave with:
    A prioritized shortlist plus evidence-of-concept demonstrations for the strongest opportunity.

  • Best when:
    A specific high-impact challenge is slowing growth or increasing cost.

    What we focus on:
    Root-cause clarity and demonstrating the simplest workable path to value.

    What you leave with:
    Feasibility evidence, refined ROI, and a build-ready roadmap if warranted.

  • Best when:
    You suspect value is spread across several inefficiencies rather than one major build.

    What we focus on:
    Testing 3 to 5 targeted improvements and quantifying combined impact.

    What you leave with:
    A sequenced portfolio of wins and a practical execution plan.

  • Best when:
    You are exploring an AI-enabled product or internal tool and want risk-reduced validation.

    What we focus on:
    Validating the customer problem and demonstrating the core workflow before engineering.

    What you leave with:
    A grounded version 1 blueprint and clarity on what is worth building first.

Common questions

Q: Do you build production software as part of the Sprint?
A: No. The Sprint delivers clarity, feasibility evidence, and a roadmap. If a full build is warranted, you can implement with your team or a trusted partner.

Q: Is this a full-time embedded engagement?
A: No. The Sprint is outcome-based and designed to be efficient for leadership teams. It does not assume full-time on-site presence.

Q: What if we discover the idea is not worth building?
A: That is a success. The goal is to reveal truth early and avoid expensive misallocation.

Q: What industries do you focus on?
A: We are especially well suited for mid-market and PE-backed companies where practical ROI and speed to clarity matter most.

Ready for practical AI clarity?

If you want measurable AI progress without overbuilding, we should talk.