How did we reduce discovering customer needs from weeks to 72 hours?

The process of starting cooperation with a technology company too often resembles a marathon. A series of workshops, meetings, estimates, and documentation are supposed to help understand the client - but in practice, the final result often deviates from their actual needs.

At Railwaymen, we decided to simplify this stage and focus on what really matters: quickly but thoroughly understanding the client's business and transforming it into a clickable prototype or POC in just 72 hours. Instead of repeating the usual patterns, we have created a process that focuses on understanding rather than formalities. 

Before we talk about the budget, we want to fully understand your idea and business context. The budget is important - but it only makes sense once we know what real solution will bring value here and now. That's why we start by exploring the idea and determining what really needs to be done to achieve the goal.

Why does traditional onboarding fail?

Traditional onboarding in technology projects often looks impressive on paper - full of workshops, discovery sessions, and detailed documentation. In practice, however, it frequently turns into a long and expensive process that produces reports instead of understanding. 

Clients usually come to the table with an idea that’s still taking shape. Instead of helping them define it, many teams try to fit that idea into the solutions they already have.

The result?

• Conversations become technical before anyone truly understands the context.
• Decisions are postponed because there are no tangible outcomes.
• The entire process loses momentum and clarity.

In industries like FoodTech, where time and precision matter most, this approach simply doesn’t work. That’s why at Railwaymen, we set a clear goal - to shorten the distance between conversation and experience.

Instead of spending weeks on theoretical workshops, we deliver real, clickable results in days - helping our clients see the value of their ideas before they commit to building them.

POC in 72 hours - fast, substantive, empathetic

Step 1: In-depth interview with the client

Instead of a series of workshops spread over several weeks, we start with one well-planned meeting. During this meeting, we focus not on a list of features, but on one specific use case that really hurts the business.

We don't ask about roadmaps or discuss estimates.

We ask, “What is the biggest obstacle to your operations today?”

This conversation is both strategic and empathetic, led by specialists who know how to listen but also ask the right questions.

Step 2: Contextual analysis

After the conversation, our team does not immediately start coding.

First, we analyze the full business context-processes, organizational structure, operating model, and market environment.

This way, when we create a solution concept, we don't look at it as “just another application,” but as a tool tailored to the company's DNA.

This is where the success of the project is decided.

Step 3: Prototype in 72 hours

Within two-three days of the conversation, the client receives a vibecoded POC - a mock-up with a basic interface that they can click on, see, and feel.

This is not a PowerPoint presentation, but a real product experience.

It is often this moment that evokes the most emotion. The client sees their idea take shape for the first time.

Instead of abstractions - concrete results.

Instead of plans - a working prototype.

As one of our partners said after such a meeting:

“We appreciate that Railwaymen treat us individually. We felt that you really understand our business, and aren't just building an application.”

Understanding that bridges the gap

The effects of this approach go far beyond simply speeding up the process.

Thanks to this onboarding process:

• customers make decisions faster because they see real value,
• the Railwaymen team better understands the business context and can propose more precise solutions,
• cooperation is based on partnership rather than transactions.

This is not just a new process - it is a new philosophy of cooperation, where technology starts with empathy, not code.

FoodTech Institute - co-creating the future

This way of working has become the foundation of our FoodTech Institute initiative - a program in which we work with GCC food service and restaurant chain leaders to co-create the future of technology for the F&B industry.

In a region where digital transformation is driven by the ambitions of Saudi Vision 2030, the pace of change is tremendous.

Food service companies need not only tools, but also partners who understand their operational realities.

That is why, as part of the FoodTech Institute, we offer not just another demo, but true co-creation of solutions - from the first conversation to implementation.

Each program partner:

• has a real impact on the functionality of the product being developed,
• becomes part of an elite community of industry leaders,
• and enjoys a discount as an early adopter.

This is not a project for everyone - it is an invitation for those who want to shape the future of FoodTech in the region.

A new standard of technological partnership

At Railwaymen, we believe that the future of IT cooperation lies in closeness, empathy, and action.

Understanding customer needs is not a stage of the project - it is its foundation.

And if it can be achieved in 72 hours, why wait any longer?

Want to see what onboarding looks like in 72 hours?

Join the FoodTech Institute program and see how together we can transform your idea into a real prototype - faster than you think.