# How we work.

Discovery, Build, Scale, with senior engineers and an honest read on what to do next.

[Book a Discovery Call](/en/book-a-call)[Send a Brief](/en/contact)

## A partner, not a vendor

What you can expect when you engage with Sparksoft, regardless of which model you pick.

### Deep discovery

We understand the problem before we propose a solution. An honest roadmap, including saying "don't build this" when that's the right call. Our success depends on yours.

### Senior team

The people you meet in Discovery are the ones who build. No handoffs to juniors or offshore. Whoever proposes is whoever executes.

### Skin in the game

We propose when it makes sense. We say no when it doesn't. We work for results, not for billable hours.

## Discovery, Build, Scale

Iterative delivery with checkpoints you can act on, not a 6-month black box.

### Discovery

Stakeholder workshop, technical and functional roadmap, risk scoping. You leave knowing what to build, in what order, and the trade-offs.

### Build

Sprint-based delivery with demos at the end of each sprint and client reviews. Iterative releases, you don't wait 6 months to see running code.

### Scale

Support, product evolution, monitoring, optimisation. Optional SLA for mission-critical systems.

## Fixed Price, T&M or Team Extension

We pick the model that fits your project, and often combine them as the work evolves.

### Fixed Price

Predictable risk for the client, clear milestones with associated deliverables. Ideal for fixed-scope MVPs, websites, well-defined integrations. When it makes sense: stable scope, low requirement volatility.

### Time & Materials

Maximum scope flexibility, weekly reporting with hours and deliverables, payment per sprint or hour. When it makes sense: long-running products, continuous evolution, scope shaped by user feedback.

### Team Extension

Senior devs/PMs in your tech stack, daily sync with your team, structured knowledge transfer. When it makes sense: missing hands or specific skills, and you want to keep the project inside your team. Common combo: Fixed for MVP, T&M for post-launch evolution.

## Packages by service area

Every project is unique: the models and durations below are indicative, the final proposal is built with you during Discovery.

### Web / E-commerce

Professional websites, e-commerce, internal dashboards and web platforms. Design plus development plus CMS plus technical SEO plus analytics plus deploy.

### Mobile App · iOS/Android

Native or cross-platform apps (React Native), backend, store deployment, analytics, v1 support.

### IoT / Hardware

Hardware selection, firmware, gateway, cloud integration. Every IoT project starts with a solid Discovery because scope evolves with the hardware and the physical context.

### Cloud & DevOps

Azure or AWS infrastructure, CI/CD, monitoring, security hardening, optional SLA for mission-critical systems.

### Team Extension (cross-cutting)

When you need more hands or specific skills and want to keep the project inside your team. Applicable across any area. Daily sync, knowledge transfer, integration into your existing workflow.

## Common questions

What teams usually ask us before they engage.

## Why don't you publish prices?

Every project is unique. We do detailed scoping during Discovery and propose based on real context: team, stack, integrations, risks, timeline. Generic numbers would confuse more than help.

## Which model is best for my project: Fixed, T&M or Team Extension?

We decide together during Discovery. As a guide: stable scope → Fixed Price; evolving product → T&M; lack of in-house capacity → Team Extension. We often combine them (Fixed for MVP, T&M for post-launch evolution).

## Do you work with startups?

Yes. In early stages the most common model is Fixed Price for the MVP (caps the burn rate) or Team Extension with 1 to 2 profiles to accelerate an existing team.

## Do you accept milestone-based payments?

Yes. In Fixed Price the payment is typically split across 3 to 4 milestones (kickoff, mid-build, beta, go-live). In T&M we invoice monthly.

## Do you offer SLAs on maintenance projects?

Yes, optional. Typical SLAs cover response time for critical incidents (P1) during business hours, with 24/7 escalation for mission-critical systems under contract.

## Do you work with clients outside Portugal?

Yes. We work remote-first across the EU and with UK/Ireland clients. Communication in English or Portuguese.

## Which technologies do you use?

Modern stack: React, Next.js, TypeScript, Node.js, .NET, Python, PostgreSQL, Azure, AWS. Hardware/firmware: ESP32, STM32. Mobile: React Native or native. AI: OpenAI, LangChain, open-source models.

## How long does a Discovery take?

Typically 1 to 2 sprints (1 to 2 weeks). The output is a technical roadmap, agreed scope, identified risks, and an execution proposal with a recommended commercial model.

## Ready to scope your project?

30-minute Discovery Call. No commitment, no cost.

[Book a Discovery Call](/en/book-a-call)[Send a Brief](/en/contact)