How to Work With Us

Start Small. Scale with Confidence.

We don't ask for big commitments upfront. Begin with an assessment or pilot, prove the value, then scale when you're ready. Our engagement models are designed to reduce risk and build trust incrementally.

Risk-Free Pilots
Flexible Scaling
No Long-Term Lock-in
Outcome-Based
Start with a PilotCompare Models

Why It Works

Built for Trust, Not Lock-In

Traditional outsourcing often means long contracts signed before you know if the partnership works. We flip that—prove value first, then deepen the relationship.

Risk Reduction

Start small with pilots. Prove fit before scaling. No massive upfront commitments.

Fast Time-to-Value

Working software in weeks, not quarters. Pilots deliver real outcomes.

Scalable by Design

Add Pods as you grow. Our model handles expansion without reinventing processes.

Outcome-Focused

We're accountable for results, not just hours. Quality gates ensure standards are met.

Engagement Journey

Choose Your Starting Point

Most clients progress through these stages, but you can enter at any point based on your needs and readiness.

01

Velocity Audit

Discover bottlenecks. Get a roadmap.

1-2 weeks

Before committing to a long-term engagement, understand where you stand. Our engineering team analyzes your codebase, processes, tooling, and team dynamics to identify what's slowing you down and what needs to change.

Ideal for: Teams unsure where to start or facing persistent delivery issues

What You Get

  • Codebase health assessment with specific findings
  • Process and workflow analysis
  • Team dynamics and skills gap evaluation
  • Prioritized improvement roadmap
  • No-obligation recommendations

Key Outcomes

  • Clear understanding of current state
  • Actionable improvement plan
  • Data-backed priorities
Investment

Fixed-fee engagement

What Comes Next

Pilot Pod or direct implementation

Get Started
Recommended Start
02

Pilot Pod

Prove fit before you commit.

4-6 weeks

The best way to evaluate an outsourcing partner is to work together. A small, focused Pod tackles a real project—a new feature, a proof of concept, or a specific improvement. You experience our process, communication style, and quality firsthand.

Ideal for: Companies evaluating Salt as a potential long-term partner

What You Get

  • Dedicated pilot team (typically 3-5 people)
  • Working software delivered
  • Full SPARK™ framework applied
  • Regular demos and communication
  • Honest go/no-go assessment

Key Outcomes

  • Validated collaboration fit
  • Real deliverables in production
  • Clear decision criteria
Investment

Defined scope and timeline

What Comes Next

Managed Pods for ongoing delivery

Get Started
03

Managed Pods

Dedicated teams. Continuous delivery.

Ongoing (monthly)

This is our flagship model. You get dedicated, cross-functional teams that integrate with your organization but operate with full accountability. We handle recruitment, management, process, and quality. You focus on what to build—we handle how.

Ideal for: Companies with ongoing development needs seeking stable, high-performing teams

What You Get

  • Dedicated cross-functional team
  • SPARK™ framework governance
  • Quality gates and SLAs
  • Regular reporting and metrics
  • Continuous improvement built-in

Key Outcomes

  • Predictable velocity
  • High-quality releases
  • Reduced management overhead
Investment

Monthly retainer based on team size

What Comes Next

Scale with additional Pods

Get Started
04

Scale & Expand

Grow your capacity on demand.

As needed

Once we've proven our value with one or two Pods, scaling is straightforward. Add more teams, bring in specialized skills (AI, data, security), or expand scope across products. Our model is built for growth.

Ideal for: Companies with successful Pods looking to increase capacity or scope

What You Get

  • Additional Pod teams as needed
  • Specialized capabilities (AI, Data, Platform)
  • Cross-Pod coordination
  • Shared knowledge and best practices
  • Volume efficiency gains

Key Outcomes

  • Increased delivery capacity
  • New technical capabilities
  • Economies of scale
Investment

Incremental based on team additions

What Comes Next

Strategic Partnership for maximum value

Get Started
05

Strategic Partnership

Long-term ally. Shared success.

12+ months

For clients who see Salt as more than a vendor—a true engineering partner. Strategic Partners get preferred pricing, priority access to talent, and a seat at the strategic table. We invest in understanding your business deeply and proactively suggest improvements.

Ideal for: Companies wanting Salt as a core part of their engineering strategy

What You Get

  • Preferred pricing and terms
  • Priority access to top talent
  • Quarterly strategic reviews
  • Proactive improvement suggestions
  • Executive-level engagement

Key Outcomes

  • Maximized value from partnership
  • Strategic technology alignment
  • Long-term stability
Investment

Custom partnership agreement

What Comes Next

Ongoing strategic collaboration

Get Started

Quick Comparison

Find the Right Fit

Not sure which model is right for you? Here's a quick comparison to help you decide.

Criteria
Velocity Audit
Pilot Pod
Managed Pods
Strategic
Time to Start1 week2-3 weeks2-3 weeksCustom
CommitmentNone4-6 weeks3+ months typical12+ months
Team Size1-2 consultants3-5 people4-8 per PodMultiple Pods
Risk LevelVery LowLowModerateShared
Best ForAssessmentValidationDeliveryPartnership
Discuss Your Needs

Ready to Start Small and Scale Smart?

Most clients begin with a Pilot Pod—it's the fastest way to see if we're a good fit while delivering real value. Let's discuss your situation and find the right starting point.

Schedule a ConsultationLearn About Our Approach

Common Questions

Engagement Models FAQ

Answers to the questions we hear most often about working with Salt.

What's the best engagement model to start with?

Most clients start with a Pilot Pod. It's the fastest way to evaluate fit while delivering real value—typically a working feature or proof of concept within 4-6 weeks. If you need help identifying priorities first, start with a Velocity Audit.

How much does each engagement model cost?

Pricing varies based on scope and team composition. Velocity Audits are fixed-fee engagements. Pilot Pods have a defined scope and timeline. Managed Pods are priced monthly based on team size. Strategic Partnerships include volume discounts. Contact us for a custom quote tailored to your needs.

Can I switch between engagement models?

Absolutely. Our model is designed for progression. Start with an audit, move to a pilot, scale to managed pods, and eventually become a strategic partner. You can also scale down or pause if business needs change. Flexibility is built into how we work.

What happens if the Pilot Pod doesn't work out?

That's exactly why we recommend pilots—to validate fit with minimal commitment. If it's not working, we'll provide an honest assessment and help transition any work done. You keep all deliverables and IP. No hard feelings, no long-term obligation.

How quickly can you spin up a Pod?

Typically 2-3 weeks from contract signing. Week 1 is assessment and team formation. Weeks 2-3 cover onboarding, environment setup, and initial sprint planning. By week 4, your Pod is usually delivering working software.

Do you offer staff augmentation or individual developers?

Yes, we offer dedicated developers for teams that need specific skills. However, we believe Pods deliver better outcomes—accountability, process, and quality come built-in. If you need individual contributors, check our Hire Developers page.