The plan always sounds good. Until someone who’s been there before speaks up.
You’re getting close to a high-impact technology decision. Everyone feels confident. The proposal looks clean. The timeline seems doable. That’s exactly when plans fail. You don’t need more agreement. You need a challenge — before you commit to a plan that won’t survive delivery.
The Untested Plan is the Dangerous Plan
Projects collapse because no one wants to destabilize comfort. These are the fault lines that ruin delivery when they go unchallenged.
- × Assumptions masquerading as guarantees
- × Integrations dismissed as “simple”
- × Technical friction quietly ignored
- × “We’ll make up time later” — the biggest lie in software
- × Optimism treated as strategy
I’m not here to reassure you. I’m here to test what you’re counting on — before reality does.
I don’t work for your vendor. I don’t tiptoe around internal politics. I’m not selling you implementation. I’m loyal to the outcome, not the idea.
What you’ll hear
Clarity on what holds, what breaks, and what must change to ship safely.
- ✓ Assumptions stress-tested against reality
- ✓ Timeline integrity checked against capacity
- ✓ Operational fragility surfaced early
What won’t happen
No political cushioning. No “looks good to me.” No upsell to implementation.
- × Generic optimism (only grounded recommendations)
- × Wishy-washy non-committal comments
- × Executive-softened report (only raw facts)
What You Get
A focused attack on the assumptions and timelines defining your project.
Kickoff Call
Align on goals, constraints, and what success must survive.
5-Day Red Team Sprint
Clock starts once materials are delivered. No drift — just focused critical review.
Risk Audit Brief (PDF)
Findings, timeline stress-tests, operational fragility, and the questions your team must confront now.
Executive Debrief
Direct interpretation that converts findings into a decision you can defend.
$2,999 — No scope creep
Truth, delivered fast. No upsells. No vendor bias.
Book the Red Team Audit
Make a decision you won’t have to defend later.
Book the AuditWho this is for — and who it isn’t
You’ll get the most value if correctness matters more than comfort.
For
Leaders responsible for technology that runs the business.
- ✓ Decision-makers who prefer correctness over consensus
- ✓ Teams smart enough to worry they might all be wrong
- ✓ If you’ve ever thought “Something feels off here…”
Not For
A cheap win or a comfortable signoff.
- × Bargain hunters
- × Bureaucracies that cannot decide
- × Anyone wanting a tacit “looks good to me!”
Why me
Two decades building and rescuing revenue-important software. Published author, founder, and educator in high-stakes development.
Pattern recognition from the projects that nearly broke
I’ve seen optimism destroy perfectly reasonable plans. I’ve also seen a single well-aimed challenge save a project.
Stakeholder-ready communication
Clear, direct guidance your executives can act on immediately. Outcome loyalty, vendor-neutrality.
About Aaron Saray
20+ years shipping critical software, leading engineering teams, and managing projects and people across multiple industries.
Answers before you book
Can you compare multiple solution options?
Yes — but splitting focus reduces depth. Prioritize the likely choice.
Do you work with our vendor or internal team?
Yes — if they’re serious about success.
Do you sign NDAs?
Straightforward mutual NDAs are fine.
Do you implement afterward?
Not as part of this engagement. Clarity first. Execution is your decision.
Not ready to commit?
That's ok. In the mean time, download the Project Assessment Checklist. It's the same quick-scan tool used in every audit. It’s free, requires no email, and gives you an immediate reality check about your project and working with me.
Download: Project Assessment Checklist
No email required. Early clarity with zero friction.
Download Checklist