What does the AI Strategy Assessment deliver?

You receive a prioritized AI roadmap with ROI projections for your top opportunities, an AI readiness scorecard, an implementation plan with quick wins, and a working prototype built with your actual data. Every deliverable is designed to drive a decision, not sit on a shelf.

How long does the AI Strategy Assessment take?

Most assessments complete within 1–2 weeks from kickoff. That includes stakeholder interviews, process analysis, opportunity mapping, prototype development, and executive readout. Work is scheduled efficiently around your team’s availability.

What happens after the AI Strategy Assessment?

After delivery, you get two follow-up calls within 30 days at no extra charge. The assessment is designed to stand alone, but many companies want help implementing what we uncover. Continuing with a Fractional AI Director retainer at $5,000–$10,000/month is the natural next step for companies that see results during the assessment and want to keep building.

Who should get an AI Strategy Assessment?

The assessment works best for mid-market companies with $10M–$200M in revenue that are considering AI but aren’t sure where to start or which opportunities to prioritize. It’s also a strong fit for companies that tried an AI initiative and it stalled or failed to deliver measurable results.

AI Strategy Assessment

AI Strategy Assessment for Mid-Market Companies

Find your highest-ROI AI opportunities in 1 to 2 weeks. You get a prioritized roadmap, ROI projections, and a working prototype. Not an 80-page slide deck that collects dust. Starting at $7,500.

30 minutes. No pitch. Just clarity on your best AI opportunities.

25+ Years Enterprise IT•$7,500–$15,000•Working Prototype Included

The Problem

Why Most AI Strategies Fail Before They Start

According to RSM’s 2025 AI Survey, 91% of middle market companies are now using generative AI, but 53% feel only “somewhat prepared.” And 95% of AI pilots fail to deliver measurable business results. Traditional AI consulting follows a pattern that wastes time and money.

3 to 6 months of “discovery” before you see a single recommendation. By the time the report lands, the AI landscape has already shifted.

80-page strategy decks full of quadrant diagrams and vendor comparisons that nobody acts on. You paid six figures for a PDF.

Junior analysts doing the real work while a senior partner shows up for the kickoff and the final presentation. The people building your strategy have never shipped an AI system.

No working proof of concept included. You get recommendations, not results. Then you spend another $100K to find out if the strategy even works.

An AI readiness assessment should give you clarity in weeks, not quarters. It should include something you can touch, test, and show your board.

A Different Approach

A Working Assessment, Not a PowerPoint

This AI strategy assessment moves fast and delivers outcomes you can act on immediately.

1 to 2 Weeks, Not 3 to 6 Months

You get a complete AI opportunity assessment in 10 business days. Fast enough to act on before the landscape shifts again.

Senior-Led, Start to Finish

No bait-and-switch staffing. I interview your team, build your prototype, and present your roadmap. 25 years of enterprise experience on every call.

Working Prototype Included

Every assessment includes a functional proof of concept for your top opportunity. Not a mockup. A working system your team can test and evaluate.

Actionable Quick Wins from Day One

You will walk away with 3 to 5 quick wins you can implement immediately, before the full roadmap is even complete. Most clients see ROI within 90 days.

Deliverables

Assessment Deliverables

Every AI strategy assessment includes four concrete deliverables. Each one drives a decision.

AI Opportunity Map with ROI Projections

A prioritized list of 8 to 12 AI use cases ranked by ROI potential, implementation difficulty, and strategic fit. Includes financial modeling for your top 3 opportunities with conservative, moderate, and aggressive scenarios. Real numbers your CFO can evaluate. Read the full AI ROI framework.

Working Prototype

A functional proof of concept for your highest-priority use case. Built with your actual data so you can test feasibility firsthand.

AI Readiness Scorecard

An honest assessment of your data infrastructure, team capabilities, and organizational readiness scored against the four-stage AI maturity model. No sugarcoating. Clear gaps and how to close them.

Implementation Roadmap with Quick Wins

A phased execution plan for your top AI initiatives, including technology recommendations, resource requirements, and milestones. Read the full phase-by-phase AI roadmap framework to see how the assessment fits into a 12-month plan. Each use case gets a buy, boost, or build recommendation based on your data and team. Includes 3 to 5 low-effort, high-impact improvements you can implement within 30 days using existing tools.

The Process

How the Assessment Works

A structured, efficient process designed to move from discovery to deliverables in 10 business days.

Phase 1

Discovery

Stakeholder interviews with key decision-makers. Review of existing systems, data infrastructure, and current workflows, including a legacy system integration assessment when older platforms are in play. I identify where AI can create the most value with the least friction.

Phase 2

Analysis & Opportunity Mapping

Deep analysis of your AI opportunity landscape, including competitive positioning. Each use case is scored on ROI potential, technical feasibility, and organizational readiness. Financial models are built for your top 3 opportunities. For an example of how I automate competitive research, see the AI Win Strategy System case study.

Phase 3

Prototype Build

A working proof of concept for your top-priority use case, built with your actual data. Not a mockup or a demo with fake data. A functional system you can evaluate with your team.

Phase 4

Delivery & Readout

Executive readout covering all deliverables. Live prototype demo. Prioritized roadmap. Quick wins you can start on Monday. Every recommendation includes specific next steps.

Assessments typically complete within 10 business days from kickoff, with work scheduled efficiently around your team’s availability.

Follow-up

Post-Delivery Support

After delivery, you get two follow-up calls within 30 days to answer questions, support implementation of quick wins, and help with vendor selection decisions. No extra charge.

Ideal Fit

Is an AI Strategy Assessment Right for You?

This AI audit for business works best for companies that are ready to move beyond exploration and into execution. The assessment is a strong fit if you match any of these profiles. Not sure if you’re ready? The 15-question AI readiness checklist can help you assess your preparedness first.

Mid-market companies ($10M to $200M revenue) exploring AI for the first time
Leadership teams who know AI matters but aren’t sure where to start or which opportunities to prioritize
Companies that tried an AI initiative and it stalled, failed, or never got past the pilot phase

Operations-heavy businesses (manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, financial services) with strong data but no AI strategy
CEOs and COOs who need a board-ready AI strategy with real ROI projections, not just a vision statement
Companies without a full-time AI or data science team who need expert guidance to make the right first move

Investment

How Much Does an AI Strategy Assessment Cost?

$7,500 to $15,000

Pricing depends on company size, complexity, and number of business units assessed. Most mid-market companies fall in the $7,500 to $10,000 range. Larger organizations with multiple divisions or complex data environments are typically $12,000 to $15,000.

Compare that to $150K or more for a Big Four AI strategy engagement that takes 4 to 6 months and delivers a PowerPoint. This assessment delivers more actionable output in a fraction of the time and cost. For a detailed comparison of AI consulting models and what they cost at the mid-market scale, this breakdown covers the options.

The assessment deliverable, a prioritized roadmap with ROI projections, also qualifies as a grantable expense under multiple federal and state programs.

90 days

Average time to positive ROI. Most clients recoup the assessment cost within the first quarter through quick wins alone.

2 Follow-Up Calls

Every assessment includes 30 days of follow-up support at no extra charge. When the roadmap clicks, the conversation naturally shifts from “what should we do” to “when do we start.” Learn about Fractional AI Director retainers.

Every Assessment

includes a working prototype. Not a slide. Not a concept. A functioning system built around your highest-priority use case.

Want to explore all engagement options? View all services. For a step-by-step framework on how mid-market companies should sequence their AI investments, read the Mid-Market AI Playbook.

Ready to Find Your Best AI Opportunities?

Book a free 30-minute strategy call. I’ll learn about your business, your goals, and your AI challenges. If I can help, I’ll tell you how. If I can’t, I’ll tell you that too. No pitch. No pressure.

30 minutes. No pitch. Just clarity.

Want to benchmark your readiness first? Take the free AI Readiness Assessment to see where you stand in 5 minutes.