How We Work
Our Consulting Process
Every agency we work with has a different starting point, different constraints, and different goals. But the engagement process follows a consistent framework that ensures you get clear deliverables, transparent pricing, and recommendations grounded in your specific reality.
Here is what working with 911 Nurd looks like from first call to final deliverable.
The Engagement Process
Discovery Call
30-60 minutesWe start with a conversation. You tell us what is going on — the challenges, the timeline pressures, the political dynamics, the budget reality. We listen, ask questions, and give you an honest assessment of whether we can help and what that engagement might look like. There is no cost and no obligation.
- Clear understanding of your situation and goals
- Preliminary scope and approach discussion
- Honest assessment of whether 911 Nurd is the right fit
Scoping & Proposal
1-2 weeksBased on the discovery call, we develop a detailed scope of work, timeline, and fixed-fee proposal. We do not bill by the hour. Every engagement has a defined scope, clear deliverables, and a fixed price. You know exactly what you are getting and what it costs before we start.
- Detailed scope of work with specific deliverables
- Fixed-fee pricing — no surprise invoices
- Proposed timeline with milestones
Assessment & Discovery
Varies by projectThis is where the real work begins. We conduct on-site and remote assessments depending on the project — technology inventories, stakeholder interviews, workflow analysis, policy reviews, data audits, and infrastructure evaluations. We document everything and validate findings with your team as we go.
- Comprehensive current-state documentation
- Stakeholder input captured and synthesized
- Data-driven findings — not assumptions
Analysis & Recommendations
Varies by projectWe analyze assessment findings, model options, and develop recommendations. Every recommendation is grounded in your specific operational context, budget constraints, and organizational capacity. We do not deliver cookie-cutter reports or recommendations your agency cannot execute.
- Prioritized findings ranked by operational risk
- Actionable recommendations with cost estimates
- Options analysis when multiple approaches are viable
Deliverables & Presentation
1-2 weeksWe deliver a comprehensive report and present findings to your leadership team. This is not a document drop — we walk through every finding, explain the reasoning, answer questions, and help you build consensus around the path forward. We present to whoever needs to hear it: county boards, city councils, multi-agency committees.
- Comprehensive written report suitable for executive and technical audiences
- In-person or virtual presentation to stakeholders
- Q&A session addressing concerns and next steps
Implementation Support
As neededMany agencies need support beyond the assessment — RFP development, vendor evaluation, project management, grant application assistance, or ongoing advisory during implementation. We offer implementation support as a separate engagement, with the same fixed-scope, fixed-fee approach.
- Continued advisory through implementation
- RFP development and vendor evaluation support
- Project management and milestone tracking
Our Principles
Vendor-Neutral
We have no vendor partnerships, referral fees, or technology affiliations. Our recommendations serve your agency, not a technology company.
Fixed-Fee Pricing
Every engagement is scoped and priced before it begins. No hourly billing, no scope surprises, no invoices you did not expect.
Practitioner Perspective
Our team has operated PSAPs, managed 911 technology, and lived the challenges you face. We bring real-world experience, not just theoretical knowledge.
Plain Language
We communicate in plain, direct language. Our reports and recommendations are written so county administrators can understand them — not just the IT department.
Common Questions
How long does a typical engagement last?
It depends on the scope. A focused assessment — cybersecurity posture, GIS readiness, or a single-system evaluation — typically takes four to eight weeks. A comprehensive NG911 transition plan or multi-agency consolidation study may take three to six months. We provide a detailed timeline in every proposal.
Do you work with agencies of all sizes?
Yes. We work with single-position PSAPs in rural counties and metropolitan operations handling hundreds of thousands of calls annually. The scope and complexity of the engagement scales to match the agency, but the process and quality of work do not change.
Do you work remotely or on-site?
Both. Assessment work typically requires at least some on-site time — infrastructure inspections, dispatch floor observations, and stakeholder meetings are more effective in person. Analysis, report development, and advisory work can be conducted remotely. We structure each engagement to balance effectiveness with efficiency.
Can you help with grant applications?
Yes. We help agencies develop needs assessments, project plans, and budget documentation that strengthen grant applications. Several of our clients have secured state and federal grant funding for NG911 transitions, cybersecurity improvements, and infrastructure upgrades based on work products from our engagements. See our NG911 Funding Guide for more on available funding sources.
What if we already have a plan but need help executing it?
We regularly engage with agencies in implementation support roles — managing RFP processes, overseeing vendor implementations, providing quality assurance during technology deployments, or serving as a technical advisor to agency leadership. Implementation support engagements use the same fixed-fee model.