Seven phases, from discovery to activation.
A structured process scoped to fit the complexity of the decision in front of you. Nothing padded to fit a template, nothing skipped to save time.
Discover, source, activate.
The seven phases group into three stages. Together they move a decision from an open question to a negotiated recommendation that is implemented and supported.
Discover
Scope the decision, inventory the current state, and design the target solution before a single vendor is contacted.
Align · Assess · Design
Source
Build a shortlist, run side-by-side comparisons, and negotiate terms using inside knowledge of how vendors price and package.
Source · Select
Activate
Deliver a clear recommendation with a business case, then stay engaged through implementation and beyond.
Recommend · Support
Every phase produces something you can act on.
Discovery & Alignment
Establish what decision is being made, who owns it, and what a good outcome looks like before any vendor enters the picture.
Why it matters: A misaligned scope produces a technically correct recommendation for the wrong problem.
Key Activities
- Stakeholder interviews
- Objective and constraint mapping
- Scope and timeline definition
Landscape Assessment
Inventory the current environment, contracts, and renewal dates to ground the work in what already exists.
Why it matters: Renewal timing and existing commitments shape leverage more than most teams expect.
Key Activities
- Current-state inventory
- Contract and renewal review
- Dependency mapping
Solution Design
Design the target solution and requirements brief against the objectives, independent of any single vendor.
Why it matters: A vendor-neutral design keeps the comparison honest and the requirements clear.
Key Activities
- Target architecture design
- Requirements documentation
- Success metric definition
Sourcing & Comparison
Build a shortlist and run structured, side-by-side comparisons across the requirements that matter.
Why it matters: A common evaluation frame turns vendor pitches into a decision you can defend.
Key Activities
- Shortlist development
- RFP and proposal coordination
- Side-by-side comparison
Negotiation & Selection
Negotiate terms and pricing using inside knowledge of how providers structure deals, then select.
Why it matters: Knowing how a vendor prices and packages changes what is possible at the table.
Key Activities
- Commercial negotiation
- Terms and SLA review
- Final selection
Recommendation & Business Case
Package the recommendation with a business case and implementation plan the organization can act on.
Why it matters: A recommendation without a business case stalls at the approval stage.
Key Activities
- Business case development
- Implementation planning
- Executive presentation
Activation & Support
Stay engaged through implementation and act as an ongoing point of contact after activation.
Why it matters: The value of a good decision is realized during implementation, not at signature.
Key Activities
- Implementation oversight
- Escalation support
- Ongoing account engagement
The first conversation is a scoping call, not a pitch.
We ask what you have, what is expiring, and what is not working, then tell you whether there is work here worth doing. If Elk Run is not the right fit for the decision in front of you, we will say so.