Reliable planning
for your web
project

With Discovery Service
from Syde

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Why a Discovery with Syde is the key to your project’s success

Every digital project holds uncertainties, whether in terms of requirements, budget or schedule. Our discovery service creates a clear basis right from the start. We work with you to define goals, expectations and technical framework conditions before unnecessary costs or undesirable developments arise.

What is a
Discovery?

A discovery is much more than just a workshop or a kick-off meeting. It is a structured, methodical process in which we work together to lay the foundations for your web project.

Determine goals

What exactly should your new digital product do?
Who are the users?
What do you need to look out for in your specific target group?
What corporate goals are you pursuing with it?

Gathering requirements

Technically, organizationally and in terms of content:
we bring all stakeholders to the table and ensure that nothing is overlooked.

Check feasibility

We evaluate technical options, dependencies and potential risks before they become expensive later on in the project.

Set priorities

What is absolutely essential for the start of the project and what can be implemented later?
A prioritized approach is essential, especially for complex projects.

Estimate budget and resource requirements

Based on realistic assumptions and not on gut feeling: we provide you with a comprehensive and concrete cost breakdown of all the components of your project.

As a result of our discovery service, you receive a reliable project requirements document (PRD) that gives you and all teams involved a clear orientation for the next steps. This PRD also provides you with the basis for requesting concrete offers from various service providers that are actually comparable in the end.

What happens if
you start without
Discovery?

Many digital projects fail not because of implementation, but because of unclear requirements and incorrect assumptions. Without a structured discovery phase, you risk avoidable costs, wasted time and unnecessary complexity.

Lack of alignment between departments

Marketing, IT and management often pursue different objectives. Without structured coordination, these differences often only become apparent at a late stage of the project.

Unexpected cost increases

Requirements change during the project because they were not clearly defined beforehand and this drives up costs and delays implementation.

Technical dead ends

Architectural mistakes lead to later extensions becoming expensive or even impossible.

Unclear responsibilities

Without coordinated processes, it is unclear who should make which decision and when, which can significantly slow down the progress of the project.

Delays in the course of the project

Misunderstandings and subsequent changes cause delays, which experience has shown can upset the entire schedule.

Difficulties with budget approval

Without reliable requirements, it is difficult to approve the necessary funds internally in full or unrealistic and often too low budgets are approved.

Our discovery process at Syde
step by step

1

Requirements
elicitation

Together with your internal stakeholders, we identify all relevant functional, technical and organizational requirements.

2

Requirements prioritization

We help you to differentiate between must, should and can requirements and thus create a clear decision-making basis for the course of the project.

3

Requirements
analysis

Our teams of experts analyze the technical, legal and operational framework conditions in order to identify risks and dependencies at an early stage.

4

Requirements specification (PRD)

All collected and prioritized requirements flow into a detailed project requirements document (PRD), which serves as a binding basis for tendering, budgeting and implementation.

Which projects particularly benefit
from a discovery?

Not every web project is the same, which is precisely why sound preparation is crucial.
Particularly complex or strategically important projects benefit considerably from an
upstream discovery phase.

Website relaunch with multiple stakeholders

When marketing, IT, sales and external partners have different expectations, our Discovery ensures clarity and alignment.

Multisite
projects

For platforms with many country sites or brand presences, Discovery helps to clearly define technical structures and governance rules at an early stage.

Migration of
legacy systems

If existing content, data or functionalities are to be transferred, we identify migration risks and dependencies at an early stage.

Integration of
third-party systems

Whether CRM, marketing automation or commerce solutions – we check interface requirements and integration scenarios in advance.

Projects with unclear
scope definition

If it is not yet clear exactly what is to be developed, we use workshops and analyses to create a reliable decision-making basis for the further course of the project.

Real-life examples

Our Discovery projects have already helped numerous companies to avoid undesirable
developments and set the right course for project success.
Here are two (anonymized) examples from practice:

International corporation with a complex stakeholder landscape

A globally active company planned the relaunch of its corporate website with over 15 country sites and various internal departments with sometimes conflicting requirements. Sydes’ discovery service enabled us to resolve conflicting objectives at an early stage, define a clear content and governance strategy and develop a realistic roadmap.

E-commerce provider with an evolved system landscape

A large online store operator was faced with the challenge of modernizing a technically overloaded WordPress/WooCommerce system that had grown over the years. In Discovery, we carried out a complete inventory, identified database and performance bottlenecks and developed a migration and redesign concept. We also provided clear recommendations for implementation.

Why Syde?

Experience with
enterprise customers

We have been supporting leading companies with complex WordPress projects for over 19 years, from international corporations to public institutions.

Specialization in WordPress projects

As Europe’s largest pure WordPress agency, we know the technical and organizational challenges of large web platforms inside out.

Interdisciplinary
teams

Our discovery projects are carried out by experienced UX experts, solution architects and project managers, which ensures maximum diversity of perspectives and practicality.

Official WordPress
VIP Partner

Our proximity to the WordPress community and our certifications as a WordPress VIP Gold Agency Partner guarantee you the highest quality standards and in-depth technical expertise.

What you get
Project Requirements Document (PRD)


The Discovery Service is an independent, chargeable service.
Consider it an essential investment in the planning security of your project. We will be happy to quote prices in a personal meeting or in an individual offer.

Concrete, implementable requirements

All functional, technical and organizational requirements are comprehensibly documented.

Clear project scope

You have a reliable basis that clearly defines which services are included in the project scope and which are not.

Realistic budget and time planning

Based on sound data, you can approve budgets and schedules internally, which significantly reduces the risk of recalculations.

Transparent decision-making basis

You can use the PRD to obtain quotes from Syde or even other service providers and actually compare them based on a standardized starting point.

Architecture and implementation recommendations

You receive initial concrete proposals for technical setups, system architecture or integration solutions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Discovery just an expensive PowerPoint presentation?

No, our Discovery service is an intensive, methodical analysis and planning process in which we work with you to develop concrete and reliable project results. The result is a detailed Project Requirements Document (PRD) and not a superficial set of slides.

Why not develop directly?

Without a well-founded requirements analysis, you risk expensive undesirable developments, technical dead ends or misunderstandings between the teams. Discovery ensures predictability, cost control and clear responsibilities before implementation begins.

Is the discovery service tied to a later implementation at Syde?

No, you can also use the result of the discovery as a basis for offers from other service providers. If you decide to implement your project with Syde, we will generally offset part of the discovery costs against the subsequent project.

How long does a discovery take?

Depending on the size and complexity of the project, a discovery usually takes between 2 and 4 weeks. During this time, we conduct workshops, analyze requirements and create the PRD.

Who should take part from the customer side?

Ideally, all relevant stakeholders should take part. Typically, these are representatives from marketing, IT, product management and other specialist departments. It is important that everyone who will later make requirements or decisions is involved at an early stage.

Is there a rough price guide?

The costs for a discovery service vary depending on the scope and complexity of the project, but generally start in the lower five-figure euro range. In an initial discussion, we clarify together which setup is sensible and necessary for your project.

Syde is a true leader in the WordPress ecosystem. Their dedication to quality of code and upholding the highest standards for WordPress development are evident in the solutions that they provide for their clients.

Ross Spadaro
Agency Partner Manager – WooCommerce

Logo of the Université du Luxembourg

Syde transformed our website, making complex tasks simple and fostering genuine collaboration. The forward-thinking and approachable team ensured a seamless process, truly valuing our partnership.

Martina Christen
Comm. Officer, University of Luxembourg

It’s an honor to work alongside an agency that is so thoughtful and skilled. Getting to see this team in action in person and behind the scenes really gives you insight into the care and creativity they bring to each project.

Jodie Fiorenza
Director Agency Partnerships, WordPress VIP

Logo of Eurotext

We at Eurotext have found a reliable and creative partner in Syde for more than 10 years now. Personally, I highly appreciate the friendly and uncomplicated cooperation at an exceptionally high technical level.

Boris Zielonka
Director Business Development, Eurotext

WPEngine Logo

I have been working with Syde for 4 years, and the partnership between our companies goes back 7 years. In that time I have found them to be an extremely professional and skilled agency, with a deep understanding of all things WordPress and WooCommerce. Beyond the headlines, the best thing about working with Syde is the people!

Ian Ferguson
Senior Partner Manager, WP Engine

Working with Syde on this project was an outstanding experience. Their expertise, communication, and commitment to quality truly sets them apart.

Rajesh Joshi
Technical Account Manager, WordPress VIP