Engagement Models

Smart Collaboration Starts With the Right Model

Tailored engagement models for perfect balance of cost, control, and flexibility.

Fixed Budget Model (FBM)

> Predefined costs and scope for predictable delivery

In this model, the client and service provider agree upfront on a fixed budget, timeline, and scope, all outlined in a formal contract. This clarity reduces ambiguity, controls costs, and minimizes financial risks by setting clear expectations from the start. This model is generally unsuitable for agile projects, where evolving requirements and iterative development demand greater flexibility.

The payouts are tied to certain deliverables and milestones. Any changes to the agreed scope require formal revisions to the budget and timeline.

Benefits:
  • Predictable budgeting and planning
  • Great for clear, stable requirements
  • Milestone-based progress tracking
  • Minimizes scope creep risk

Challenges:
  • High upfront planning effort
  • Costly scope adjustments
  • Poor fit for agile workflows
  • Not ideal for evolving requirements

Time & Material Model (TNM)

> Adaptive billing model suited for evolving requirements

In this model, the client pays for the actual time and resources used, based on agreed hourly or daily rates. It is commonly applied in projects where the full scope is not clearly defined upfront or is expected to evolve during execution.

This model offers high flexibility and is well-suited for agile development, continuous product iterations, consulting, research, support, and discovery phases. It allows the team to begin quickly, adapt as needed, and scale efforts based on real-time priorities.

By paying only for actual work delivered, clients gain cost control and flexibility. This model supports transparency, quick feedback, and seamless collaboration with evolving priorities.

Benefits:
  • High flexibility for evolving scopes
  • Ideal for agile and iterative development
  • Quick start with minimal planning
  • Pay only for actual work done
  • Fits discovery, consulting, or R&D phases
  • Easy to scale team size up or down

Challenges:
  • No fixed final cost estimate
  • Requires ongoing client involvement
  • Budget may expand over time
  • Needs strong project tracking and reporting

Staff Augmentation Model (SAM)

> Flexible team expansion without long-term hiring costs

In this model, we provide skilled professionals to work alongside your in-house team, filling specific roles or capacity gaps as needed. You retain full control over the project, while we supply the right talent based on your requirements.

Staff Augmentation is ideal for companies looking to scale quickly without the overhead of long-term hiring. Whether you need short-term support or long-term extension, this model gives you flexibility, cost-efficiency, and access to niche expertise — all with minimal commitment and faster onboarding.

Benefits:
  • Fast access to skilled professionals
  • Flexibility in scaling teams up or down
  • Full control over daily tasks and priorities
  • No long-term hiring obligations
  • Reduces recruitment and onboarding overhead

Challenges:
  • Requires internal team management
  • May lead to dependency on external resources
  • Limited cultural and strategic integration

Dedicated Team Model (ODT)

> Dedicated full-time team under a monthly fixed fee

In this model, a dedicated team of professionals works exclusively on the client’s project, acting as a natural extension of their in-house team. The team integrates with the client’s processes, tools, and goals to ensure alignment and long-term efficiency.

This approach is ideal for long-term projects that require continuous development, iteration, and support. It offers full control over the team’s direction and priorities while enabling businesses to scale resources up or down as project needs evolve.

Benefits:
  • Full alignment with client goals and workflows
  • High transparency and control over execution
  • Ideal for long-term, evolving projects
  • Faster communication and stronger team ownership

Challenges:
  • Requires ongoing management and involvement
  • Higher cost commitment vs short-term models
  • Less suitable for small or one-off projects

Hybrid Model (HBM)

> Combine fixed and variable billing across your project lifecycle

The Hybrid Model combines elements of Fixed Budget, Time & Material, Dedicated Team, or Support Contracts to match the specific needs of different project phases. It allows clients to switch engagement strategies as the project evolves — using exploratory billing early on and fixed pricing or dedicated teams for later execution.

This model is ideal for complex or multi-phase projects where requirements, risks, and scopes vary over time. It provides both flexibility and structure, helping businesses optimize costs, timelines, and delivery quality by aligning engagement style with project reality.

Benefits:
  • Combines flexibility with planning discipline
  • Adapts to changing needs across project phases
  • Balances cost-efficiency and delivery speed
  • Minimizes risk by applying the right model
  • Supports innovation without losing control

Challenges:
  • Complexity in managing multiple billing models
  • Harder to estimate total project cost upfront
  • May confuse clients unfamiliar with models

Support & Maintenance Contract (SNM)

> Post-launch support with contract-based billing and response SLAs

This model offers clients continuous technical support, maintenance, and system monitoring after the product is launched. It ensures that existing systems remain operational, secure, and optimized for performance through proactive care and issue resolution.

Ideal for live applications or platforms, SNM includes services such as bug fixing, version upgrades, infrastructure monitoring, performance tuning, and applying security patches. The goal is to prevent downtime, reduce risks, and keep your software running smoothly 24/7.

Benefits:
  • Ensures 24/7 uptime and system stability
  • Proactive detection and resolution of issues
  • Regular updates and performance improvements
  • Protects systems with timely security patches
  • Frees up internal teams to focus on innovation

Challenges:
  • Ongoing cost even during low activity periods
  • Not suitable for short-term or one-off projects

Not sure which model fits your needs?

Let’s discuss your project and help you choose the right approach.