The right product, not just a built one.
A fractional product lead for founders and SMEs who don't have one. We define what to build first, run discovery with real customers, and manage delivery so every week of build moves a number you care about.
Built for
Founders without a product lead
You know your customers, but you've never run product discovery, prioritised a roadmap, or managed an engineering team.
Businesses with too many ideas and no order
Everyone has an opinion on what to build next. You need someone to make the call, backed by evidence.
Teams with a build in flight that's drifting
Scope keeps growing, deadlines keep slipping, and nobody's watching the number that actually matters.
What you get
A fractional product lead
Senior product thinking without a full-time hire, for as long as you need it.
Real customer discovery
We talk to your actual customers before committing engineering time, not after.
A prioritised roadmap
What to build first and why, ranked against the number that matters to your business.
Delivery management
We manage the build week to week so scope doesn't quietly balloon.
Go-to-market support
Getting the product in front of the people who'll actually use it, not just shipping it into silence.
How it works
A free 30-minute call
Tell us where the product or the roadmap is stuck. We'll tell you honestly what's needed.
Discovery
We talk to real customers and agree the number that matters before anything is prioritised.
Roadmap & prioritisation
We rank what to build first against impact and effort, and put a plan in front of you.
Delivery management
We manage the build week to week, with working software you can see, not status reports.
Go-to-market
We help you get the product live in front of the people it's for.
Questions about product strategy & management
I don't have a technical team. Can you still help with strategy?
Yes. Most of our product strategy clients aren't technical. You bring the customer knowledge, we bring the product and delivery discipline.
Do you build the product too, or just plan it?
Both, if you want. Many clients use us for strategy and delivery together, so the same team that plans the roadmap builds it.
How much does this cost?
It depends on scope and whether we're also delivering the build. We'll give you a real number on the first call.
We already have engineers. Can you just manage the roadmap?
Yes. A fractional product lead works alongside your existing team, prioritising and managing delivery without replacing them.
How is this different from hiring a full-time product manager?
You get senior product experience without a full-time salary, and you can scale it up or down as the business needs.
What if we're stuck mid-build with drifting scope?
We take on rescue engagements regularly: auditing what's happening, telling you honestly what's salvageable, and getting delivery back under control.
Further reading
How to test scope and demand before you commit engineering time, and where founders lose their first budget.
AI Transformation vs Buying an AI Tool: What Actually Changes in Your Business
Buying an AI tool and going through AI transformation are not the same thing. Here's what actually changes in your business with each approach.
How to Calculate the Real Cost of a Manual Process (Worked Example)
A step-by-step method for calculating what a manual process really costs your Australian SME, with a worked example you can copy into a spreadsheet.
Why Most SME AI Projects Stall After the Pilot, and How to Avoid It
Many Australian SME AI pilots work in testing but never make it to full use. Here's why that happens and how to design a pilot that actually sticks.
Off-the-Shelf AI Tools vs Custom Automation: Which One Your Business Actually Needs
Should your Australian SME buy an off-the-shelf AI tool or build a custom automation? A practical comparison to help you decide, process by process.
How Much Does AI Automation Cost for an Australian Small Business in 2026?
Typical AUD cost ranges for AI automation projects by process type, based on Sketchli's experience working with Australian SMEs in 2026.
How to Validate an Internal Automation Before You Commit a Budget
A practical, low-cost way for Australian SME owners to validate an AI automation idea properly before spending real budget on a full build.
Build the right thing, not just something.
Book a free call and tell us where your product or roadmap is stuck.