Start with the workflow, not a feature list
Describe the people involved, the decisions they make and the records that move between them. Capture normal work and the exceptions: a rejected approval, an interrupted transaction or a correction after submission. Use these scenarios to agree what the first release must do and how business users will accept it.
Choose a working model that fits the scope
A bounded project benefits from agreed deliverables and change control. An evolving product roadmap may suit a dedicated team with regular prioritization. Specialist support can fill a specific capability gap. In each model, identify who owns product decisions, technical reviews and acceptance so work does not stall between teams.
Make progress reviewable
Agree milestones, demonstration frequency and a shared record of decisions and open issues. Review working software against the acceptance scenarios instead of relying only on percentage-complete reports. When a new request changes the scope, describe its effect on effort and schedule before it enters the delivery plan.
Plan ownership after launch
Include source code, environment access, deployment instructions, operational procedures and knowledge transfer in the delivery scope. Decide who responds to incidents and how support requests are prioritized. A clear handover makes the first release a useful starting point for a longer working relationship.
Before you start
Business outcome and first-release scope
Decision owners and review cadence
Acceptance scenarios and change process
Source, access, documentation and support ownership
