Tech Readiness Assessment Pricing: Pricing Structure for Consulting Services
Quick answer
Tech readiness assessment pricing depends on scope (how many domains you review), depth (interviews vs. evidence review), and the deliverables you expect (findings, risks, and a prioritized plan). For most buyers, the best pricing structure is a short fixed-fee discovery sprint, then either a fixed fee for a defined package or time and materials with a not-to-exceed cap when unknowns remain.
What is a tech readiness assessment?
A tech readiness assessment is a short engagement that answers two questions: what is safe and scalable about your current technology, and what must change before you invest in a migration, major platform rollout, data program, or AI program. It typically covers architecture and integrations, data and reporting, security and access, delivery process, and operating ownership.
Sources: [S1], [S2], External: NIST SP 800-30, NIST SP 800-53
What you should get for the fee
Pricing discussions get easier when the deliverables are explicit. Use this list as a minimum set for a tech readiness assessment.
| Deliverable | What it contains | Acceptance checks |
|---|---|---|
| Scope and map | Systems in scope, integrations, owners, and a short data map | Named systems and owners, confirmed boundaries, current diagrams included |
| Readiness findings | Top issues and causes across architecture, data, security, and delivery | Each finding includes impact, evidence, and a recommendation |
| Risk register | Risks with likelihood, impact, owner, and mitigation actions | Owners assigned, mitigation actions dated, escalation triggers defined |
| Prioritized plan | 30, 60, 90 plan with dependencies and decision points | Sequenced actions, clear prerequisites, measurable outcomes |
| Executive readout | What to fix now, what can wait, and what to fund | Decisions requested listed, options compared, next steps agreed |
Sources: [S1], External: ISO/IEC 27001
Pricing structure options for consulting services
Match the pricing structure to scope certainty. A readiness assessment often starts with unknowns, then becomes definable after discovery.
| Pricing structure | When it fits | How to control cost |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed-fee discovery sprint | You need fast clarity before you commit to a bigger plan | Timebox (1 to 3 weeks), defined interview list, defined outputs |
| Fixed-fee package | Systems and deliverables are clear | Acceptance checks per deliverable, clear exclusions, change control |
| Time and materials with a not-to-exceed cap | Unknowns remain (data quality, access limits, missing documentation) | Weekly cadence, burn report, cap plus stop or rescope option |
| Retainer | You want a steady cadence of assessment plus decision support | Monthly deliverables, hours bank, and a carryover rule |
| Hybrid | Discovery first, then defined work | Convert to fixed fee after discovery with a signed scope addendum |
Sources: [S1], External: BLS management analysts
What drives tech readiness assessment pricing
Price varies because effort varies. These are the items that move cost the most.
- Domains covered: architecture, data, security, delivery process, operating ownership, vendor risk.
- Depth: interview-only vs. evidence review (policies, logs, tickets, SOC reports, config samples).
- System count and integration complexity.
- Regulated data and contract obligations that require extra checks.
- Stakeholder count and workshop time.
- Timeline: compressed schedules need more parallel staffing.
Sources: [S2], External: NIST SP 800-30
Example scope packages (small, medium, large)
These examples are scope patterns, not quotes. Use them to size effort and choose the commercial model.
| Package | Typical scope | Best-fit pricing structure |
|---|---|---|
| Small | 1 to 2 systems, limited integrations, one business unit, short readout | Fixed-fee discovery sprint |
| Medium | 3 to 6 systems, key integrations, data quality sampling, security and access review | Hybrid (discovery then fixed fee) |
| Large | Multi-unit, many integrations, vendor dependencies, regulated data, deeper evidence review | Time and materials with a cap, then convert defined work to fixed fee |
How to determine pricing for consulting services?
Use a simple steps-based method so pricing is defensible and easy to compare across vendors.
- Write the deliverables list and acceptance checks.
- List the workstreams (architecture, data, security, delivery, operating ownership).
- Estimate hours by role for each workstream (lead, senior specialist, analyst).
- Add time for governance (weekly cadence, readouts, issue log) and for rework risk.
- Choose the pricing structure: fixed fee for defined scope, or time and materials with a cap for discovery.
- Add change control: how scope changes are priced and approved.
Sources: [S1]
How should consultants set prices for projects?
Project pricing should reflect delivery risk and who holds it. If the client holds the risk (unknowns, missing access, moving targets), a capped model is usually fairer. If the consultant holds the risk (defined deliverables and acceptance checks), fixed fee is usually better.
Change control clause (copy/paste)
Scope changes
- Any change to deliverables, scope, assumptions, or dependencies requires a written change request.
- The change request includes impact to timeline, effort, and fees.
- Work starts after approval by the named client approver.
- If pricing is time and materials, changes are tracked against a not-to-exceed cap unless amended in writing.
Sources: [S1]
How much do strategy consultants charge?
Strategy consulting is usually priced higher because the work is senior-led and decision-heavy. Many buyers get better outcomes by buying a defined package with a fixed fee and clear outputs (options, trade-offs, and a funded plan), rather than buying open-ended hours.
If you need comparability across firms, ask every bidder to price the same package: intake, current-state review, interviews, findings, options, and an executive readout.
Pricing worksheet template
Copy this into Excel to build a simple, comparable pricing structure for consulting services.
Pricing worksheet (copy/paste columns)
Workstream,Deliverable,Role,Hours,Rate,Cost,Assumptions,Dependencies,Acceptance checks,Owner
Architecture,Current architecture and integration map,Lead,__,__,__,__,__,__,__
Data,Data quality sampling and key reports review,Senior specialist,__,__,__,__,__,__,__
Security,Access review and controls evidence list,Senior specialist,__,__,__,__,__,__,__
Delivery,Delivery process review and risk list,Lead,__,__,__,__,__,__,__
Operating ownership,RACI and ownership gaps,Lead,__,__,__,__,__,__,__
Readout,Executive readout and decision log,Lead,__,__,__,__,__,__,__
Governance,Weekly cadence and status reporting,Analyst,__,__,__,__,__,__,__
SOW pricing section (copy/paste)
Commercial terms
- Pricing structure: [Fixed fee discovery sprint / Fixed fee package / Time and materials with a not-to-exceed cap / Retainer / Hybrid]
- Fees: [Amount or rates]
- Not-to-exceed cap (if applicable): [Amount]
- Billing cadence: [Weekly / Biweekly / Monthly]
- Expenses: [Included / At cost with pre-approval]
- Assumptions: [List]
- Dependencies and required client inputs: [List]
- Change control: scope changes require written approval before work begins
Sources: [S1], External: NIST SP 800-30
FAQ
How to determine pricing for consulting services?
Determine consulting pricing by defining deliverables and acceptance checks, estimating effort by workstream, adding risk for unknowns, and choosing a model that matches scope certainty (fixed fee for clear scope, time and materials with a cap for discovery).
Sources: [S1]
How should consultants set prices for projects?
Consultants set project prices by matching scope clarity to the pricing model, sizing the team and timeline, and adding governance and change control so effort stays aligned with deliverables.
How much do strategy consultants charge?
Strategy consulting is usually priced higher than delivery roles because it is senior-led and decision-heavy. Pricing is commonly set as a fixed fee for a defined package, a day rate for senior time, or a short discovery sprint that converts into a fixed-fee plan.
Sources: [S3], External: BLS
If you want a tech readiness assessment with clear scope, deliverables, and pricing structure:
contact NMS Consulting.
Sources
- S1. Project Management Institute (PMI), “Statement of work: the foundation for delivering successful service projects” (PM Network, Oct 1998). Accessed 2025-12-27. https://www.pmi.org/learning/library/statement-work-delivering-successful-service-projects-4761
- S2. NIST, “Guide for Conducting Risk Assessments (SP 800-30 Rev. 1)” (PDF). Accessed 2025-12-27. https://nvlpubs.nist.gov/nistpubs/SpecialPublications/NIST.SP.800-30r1.pdf
- S3. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Management Analysts” (Occupational Outlook Handbook). Accessed 2025-12-27. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/management-analysts.htm
- S4. NIST, “Security and Privacy Controls for Information Systems and Organizations (SP 800-53 Rev. 5)” (PDF). Accessed 2025-12-27. https://nvlpubs.nist.gov/nistpubs/SpecialPublications/NIST.SP.800-53r5.pdf
- S5. ISO, “ISO/IEC 27001 information security management.” Accessed 2025-12-27. https://www.iso.org/standard/27001
