AI readiness assessment or proof of concept: which first?
Choose between a £44,000 AI readiness audit and a £20,000–£55,000 proof of concept by the decision you need to make next.
Start with a readiness assessment when you don’t yet know which workflows are worth funding. It tests two or three of them as prototypes and leaves a costed plan (Tenhaw’s audit: four weeks, £44,000 fixed). Start with a proof of concept when one workflow is already chosen and you need a go/no-go (two to four weeks, £20,000–£55,000 fixed).
30 minutes with James · how this would work in your organisation
The basis for this approach
This is a comparison of Tenhaw’s published engagements. Both scopes produce working evidence; neither is sold as a production deployment.
The demand signal
The audit covers two or three workflows and a costed plan in three-month increments capped at 12 months. The proof of concept tests one chosen workflow and ends with a go/no-go decision plus a fixed quote for the 90-day programme.
Bring the reason this is on your agenda to a 30-minute call with James, and we can explore what it would take in your organisation.
Book a 30-minute callWhy it stalls
2 failure modes we keep meeting
A chosen solution hides an untested priority
Building the first idea can leave the board without a comparison of the work worth funding. The audit tests candidates before choosing the investment sequence.
Another assessment delays a defined test
If the workflow, owner and question are already clear, an organisation-wide assessment may repeat decisions already made. A bounded proof of concept can answer the remaining technical or operating question.
If one of these sounds familiar, bring it to a 30-minute call with James and we can explore a way past it.
Book a 30-minute callHow we approach it
3 moves, in order
- 01
Write down the next decision
Use the audit for “where should we invest?” and the proof of concept for “should this workflow proceed?”. Bring the data, owner and uncertainties to the scoping conversation.
- 02
Compare what stays with your team
The audit leaves two or three prototypes, findings, a board readout and a costed plan. The proof of concept leaves a working test, structured requirements, evaluation evidence and the production-readiness assessment.
- 03
Keep the next commitment separate
The audit is £44,000 fixed over four weeks. The proof of concept is £20,000–£55,000 fixed over two to four weeks. Fees exclude VAT; either can lead to a decision to stop. Continuing into the 90-day programme is a separate agreement.
The audit leaves two or three prototypes, findings, a board readout and a costed plan.
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Sources
Every source below was opened and read before it was attached. Where nothing survived that check, the claim on this page was softened rather than given a plausible-looking link.
Tenhaw, AI Readiness AuditTenhaw, Agentic Proof of ConceptThe closest guides to this one
Nearest first, then the rest. Each one carries the same label: written from delivery, or the method we would bring. All 34 are on the hub.
What an agentic proof of concept can prove in four weeks
Understand what a two-to-four-week agentic proof of concept can establish, what stays unproven and how to make a useful go/no-go decision.
Our approachAI maturity assessment: what to measure and what to do next
Assess AI maturity through worthwhile workflows, data, decision ownership and team capability. Compare the free first read with the £44,000 audit.
Our approachHow to build the business case for an agentic AI programme
Show what the investment buys and which assumptions could change the decision.
Our approachWhere should a new Head of AI start?
Plan a new Head of AI’s first quarter around the existing inventory, decision owners, a valued workflow and evidence for the next investment.
Our approachHow a board turns AI strategy into measurable delivery
Turn board AI strategy into a funded workflow, agreed value and measurable use. See the audit readout, 90-day scope and ROI questions.
Our approachAI consultant day rates in the UK
Compare Tenhaw’s published AI consultancy day rates, fixed fees and monthly price basis, with the dated G-Cloud 14 benchmark caveats.
Or bring the problem to a call instead of reading three more of these.
Book a 30-minute callWork out the next step for your team.
A 30-minute call with James Rooney to discuss your workflow, people and budget. Leave with a rough scope and a useful next step.
AI Readiness Audit · £44,000 fixed · 4 weeks · excluding VAT
No time that suits? Email hello@tenhaw.com. Calendar not loading? Open it on cal.com.
Describe the work
Describe the work in a paragraph. James replies with a rough scope and budget range within two working days.
Questions this guide answers
Which is cheaper?
The audit is £44,000 fixed. The proof-of-concept range is £20,000–£55,000, so its price can be lower or higher depending on the agreed workflow. Compare the decision and deliverables as well as the fee. Both exclude VAT.
Can we do both?
Yes, where the audit identifies a workflow needing a more focused proof. Agree what remains uncertain before buying another stage. There is no obligation to continue from either engagement.
What does each leave behind?
The audit leaves two or three working prototypes, a board readout and a sequenced, costed plan. The proof of concept leaves one working workflow, its structured requirements, a go/no-go decision and a fixed quote for the production programme.
Which does a board need?
A board choosing where to invest may need the audit’s comparison of workflows and costed plan. A board deciding whether to fund one defined build may need the proof of concept’s go/no-go evidence.
Is there a free option?
Yes. Tenhaw’s free AI readiness assessment gives a first read on the workflow, its constraints and a suitable starting point. It does not replace testing on real data or the paid audit’s prototypes and board readout.