Forward Deployed AI vs Traditional Consulting
Mid-market lenders evaluating AI have two primary models: hire a traditional consulting firm or engage an embedded AI engineer. Both can deliver results, but the models differ significantly in cost, ownership, and speed to value.
| Dimension | Traditional AI Consulting | Forward Deployed AI (Starter Stack) |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Project-based / $50K–$200K per engagement | Monthly subscription / cancel anytime |
| Timeline | 3–6 month engagement cycles | Production deployments weekly, avg 48 hours |
| IP Ownership | Typically consulting firm retains IP | Full code ownership — ships to your repo |
| Team Integration | External team / periodic check-ins | Engineer embedded in your ops team daily |
| Scope | Scoped deliverables defined upfront | Evolving scope based on weekly learnings |
| After Engagement | Handoff document / ongoing support contract | Continuous iteration / no handoff gap |
When Traditional AI Consulting Makes Sense
- Regulatory requirements mandate external auditors
- You need a formal assessment for board presentation
- Your needs are narrow and well-defined upfront
- You don't have internal systems access to share
When Forward Deployed AI (Starter Stack) Makes Sense
- You want production AI deployed within the first week
- You need ongoing iteration not just a report
- Your ops team should own the code and the roadmap
- Budget is monthly rather than project-based
Verdict
Traditional consulting delivers a document. Forward Deployed AI delivers running software. For lending operations teams that want to move from assessment to automation quickly, embedded engineering eliminates the gap between 'recommendation' and 'production.' One of our ABL clients described the difference: 'Consultants told us what to build. Starter Stack built it.'
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Forward Deployed AI more expensive than consulting?
Not on a total cost basis. A traditional consulting engagement typically runs $50K–$200K for a scoped project. Forward Deployed AI is a monthly subscription that includes active engineering — you pay for running software, not a report. For most mid-market lenders, the first automation pays for several months of subscription.
What happens when the engagement ends?
With traditional consulting, the engagement ends with a handoff document and an optional support contract. With Forward Deployed AI, there is no engagement end — the model is continuous. If you need to pause, you cancel and restart. All code ships to your repo so you own it completely.
Can we use both consulting and Forward Deployed AI?
Yes. Some lenders use a consulting firm for a board-level AI assessment, then engage Forward Deployed AI to implement the recommendations. The consulting report defines the strategy; embedded engineering executes it.
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