Rapid Options Paper
Get costed, independent options for your next technology decision, from a senior specialist, in ten working days.
For Technology Decisions That Are Stalled, Complicated, Or Without Clear Ownership
A migration path, an architecture choice, or a supplier proposal can stall for many reasons: nobody owns the decision, the options aren't costed or compared, and there's nothing clear enough to take to a governance forum.
A full discovery engagement may feel disproportionate for a single question, or perhaps there isn't time or budget to justify one. What you need is senior, impartial judgement you can act on quickly, that gives you evidence to work with so you can make an informed decision for your organisation.
The Rapid Options Paper is built to close that gap. A senior Defended Solutions leader works directly with you to frame the decision, then returns two or three realistic routes forward, each with indicative cost, effort and risk, and a clear recommendation.
Who This Service Is For
The Rapid Options Paper is built for anyone who needs a decision framed and costed quickly. This typically includes:
What You Get
The Rapid Options Paper is designed to be simple and actionable, so you can move your organisation forward with confidence. It sets out:
A Clear Problem Statement
The single decision, agreed with you, expressed in plain business language rather than technical jargon.
Two Or Three Viable Options
Genuine, realistic routes forward, not a single answer already decided in advance.
Indicative Cost, Effort And Risk
Enough detail against each option to compare them properly and to support a business case.
The Key Trade-Offs
The practical pros, cons and dependencies behind each route.
A Clear Recommendation
A recommended next step, along with the reasoning behind it.
Onward Routes, Where Relevant
How you could take the decision forward, whether or not you continue working with Defended Solutions.
Every options paper is built around your specific decision. If what you need doesn't quite fit this list, get in touch and we'll talk through what's possible.
How It Works
The Rapid Options Paper is fixed-scope and fixed-cost, so you know exactly what you're paying before work begins. There's no obligation beyond the paper itself: no retainer and no minimum term. It's structured so you can get started without a formal business case, delivered remotely as standard or on-site into cleared environments where needed. All prices exclude VAT.
The engagement then runs across four stages within a fixed ten working days, so you know from the outset what to expect and when.
Onboarding
We start with a short call to confirm the decision you need support with, agree the outcome you're looking for. We confirm the scope and cost of the project.
Working Session
We run a focused working session with you, testing assumptions and working through the realistic options together, before we make our recommendation.
Options Paper
We write up a one to two page paper setting out the problem, two or three viable options with indicative cost, effort and risk, and a clear recommended next step.
Playback
We walk your decision-makers through the options and the recommendation together, so the paper lands as a decision rather than a document to file away.
The right next step depends on the decision you're working through. Get in touch to start the conversation.
Not Sure Which Service Fits?
| FEATURE | RAPID OPTIONS PAPER | STRATEGIC DIRECTION → | FRACTIONAL CIO/CTO/CISO → |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best For | A single decision | Organisation-wide technology direction | Ongoing embedded leadership |
| Duration | 10 working days | 4 to 8 weeks | Ongoing, minimum 3-month term |
| Output | Options paper and playback session | Technology strategy and prioritised roadmap | Continuous leadership and delivery |
| Price Basis | Fixed price | Fixed price or time-bank | Retainer |
The Rapid Options Paper sits at the lightest end of Defended Solutions' Strategic Advisory offering, three ways to work with the team, each suited to a different kind of need.
The right starting point depends on the size of the problem you're solving. A single stalled decision is what you're looking at now, a full technology strategy and roadmap calls for Strategic Direction, and ongoing senior accountability calls for a Fractional CIO, CTO or CISO. If you're not sure this is the right fit, a short conversation usually makes it clear.
Senior Judgement, Delivered Fast.
Defended Solutions delivers the Rapid Options Paper through experienced UK-based senior leaders with backgrounds across defence, public sector and regulated commercial environments. Every engagement is led by UK-resident, National Security Vetted (SC/DV) personnel, and delivered to a fixed price and timescale so you know exactly what to expect.
All engagements are led by UK-resident, National Security Vetted (SC/DV) personnel.
Relevant Across Every Regulated Sector
Defence & National Security
SC/DV cleared judgement for MOD bodies, primes and Defence suppliers navigating a stalled or contested technology decision.
Explore Defence →Critical National Infrastructure
Independent, costed options for CNI operators weighing a legacy infrastructure, platform or supplier decision that affects operational resilience.
Explore CNI →Commercial & Regulated Enterprise
Vendor-agnostic options for regulated commercial organisations facing a build-versus-buy, migration or supplier decision.
Explore Commercial →Discover our Insights:
