Deployed Works Guide
For organisationsA Buyer's Guide To Reading A Capability Profile
Read a capability profile for the problem solved, proof, delivery approach, availability and price fit.
A Buyer's Guide To Reading A Capability Profile guide trailer
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Audience
For organisations
Founders, operators, capability buyers, budget holders and startup or scaleup teams
Time
2 minute read
Outcome
Read a capability profile for the problem solved, proof, delivery approach, availability and price fit.
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Download the PDF for meetings or offline use. The web guide has the latest version.
Related guides
Capability profile review card
Review provider profiles by capability, proof and fit.
Use this scorecard while reviewing an option set so the conversation stays anchored to the outcome and evidence.
Capability
Headline
Look for
A clear deployed capability and outcome
Strong signal
Names the problem or result in buyer language
Weak signal
Only lists broad claims or a tool stack
First-call question
What can you deploy for this brief?
Problem fit
Best-fit work
Look for
Problems similar to the one in your capability brief
Strong signal
Names specific buyer moments and constraints
Weak signal
Claims broad expertise with no focus
First-call question
Where is this most similar to work you have done?
Proof
Evidence
Look for
Relevant examples, metrics, references or case notes
Strong signal
Shows similar work or explains proof gaps clearly
Weak signal
Uses vague adjectives without evidence
First-call question
What proof should we inspect before scoping?
Delivery
Shape
Look for
How they diagnose, design, build, document or hand over
Strong signal
Explains a practical working process
Weak signal
Leaves delivery style unclear
First-call question
What would the first two weeks look like?
Commercial
Fit
Look for
Availability, work mode, rate model and handover needs
Strong signal
Gives enough signal to qualify the conversation
Weak signal
Hides timeline, availability and commercial model
First-call question
What commercial shape fits this work?
Guide summary
What this guide helps you do
Who it is for
Best fit readers
- A founder reviewing a first human-reviewed option set.
The problem
Read for deployable capability and evidence.
A capability profile helps you understand what a provider can deploy, which problems it fits, what proof supports it and where its boundaries sit. Read for evidence that connects the provider's capability to your outcome and constraints.
Five things to look for
Read for capability, proof and fit.
Capability headline
Does the headline make the provider's deployed capability clear?
Best-fit problems
Does the profile name problems similar to yours?
Proof
Is there evidence of similar work?
Delivery shape
Can you understand how they work?
Commercial and availability fit
Does availability match your timeline?
Example
Strong signals, weak signals and fit indicators
Strong signals: the profile names specific buyer problems, shows similar work, explains the delivery process, gives enough commercial signal, names what the provider is not a fit for, and includes relevant proof or clear proof gaps. Weak signals: the profile only lists skills, relies on vague adjectives, has no examples, claims to do everything, hides all commercial information, or has unclear availability.
Template
First-call questions for a capability profile
Have you solved a similar problem before? What would you need to inspect before scoping this properly? What would the first two weeks look like? What would you not take on here? What would you need from us internally? How would you document or hand over the work?
Common mistakes
Avoid these traps
- Reading broad claims without connecting them to the outcome.
- Overvaluing brand names and provider labels.
- Ignoring proof quality.
Checklist
Ready to publish when
- I understand what the provider can deploy.
- I can see which problems they are best suited for.
- I have found proof or know what proof to ask for.
- I understand their likely delivery shape.
FAQ
Questions this guide usually raises
What should I look for first?
Start with deployable capability, relevant buyer problems, proof, delivery approach and fit for the specific brief.
What proof matters most?
Relevant proof matters more than famous names. Look for similar work, clear outcomes, before-and-after evidence, metrics, references, portfolio artefacts or honest proof gaps to inspect on the first call.
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Use the guide
Need providers who fit the work?
Start with a capability brief so providers can be reviewed against the work that actually needs doing.
Read the companion provider profile post
