← Joe Niland

Advice & Unblocking

Practical advice on your next technical decision.

Stuck on a technical decision?

You might be weighing up a vendor's pitch or trying to understand whether your developers' proposed rewrite is justified. You've spent weeks reading articles and asking around, but you still can't work out which advice applies to your situation.

I'll help you work through the decision and explain what I'd do in your position. You'll get an independent view from someone with experience of these problems.

Here's how it works

Book a 60-minute call using the link on this page. We'll work through your question together, and I'll give you a recommendation with specific next steps.

Things I've helped with in the past:

  • Whether to trust a development agency's proposal before you sign
  • Whether a rewrite is justified or if targeted improvements will do
  • Which tech stack to choose for a new product
  • Quick due diligence on a company you're acquiring or investing in
  • Where AI actually makes sense for your business vs. what's hype
  • What to do when your CTO just left
  • Whether your developer's estimate is reasonable
  • Whether your outsourced team is being straight with you

I'll explain my recommendation and the reasoning behind it, drawing on my experience building software since 1999 and advising business owners on their technology.

After the call, you'll receive a written summary with my recommendation and next steps, which you can share with your team or refer back to later. If something comes up after the call that we didn't cover, I'll answer it over email.

You'll choose a time that suits you when you book. The call will be recorded if you agree, so you'll receive a recording and transcript afterwards.

Money-back guarantee

If you feel the call hasn't provided enough value for the fee, let me know and I'll refund your payment in full.

Validating the idea before booking a developer

A founder planning practice management software for specialist clinics came to me as he was about to book a developer to build his MVP. He knew the industry and had a budget. My advice was to validate the problem and proposed solution with potential customers before committing to development.

When we spoke again, he told me he'd spent more time validating with customers, developing market interest and speaking to potential investors. He'd also refined his business plan and revenue model, which gave him more confidence in his plan. He was preparing to meet senior developers with that new information.

I still have questions!

How do I prepare for the call?
Just fill in the booking form. It asks you to describe your situation and what you want to get out of the call. That's all the prep I need, and it keeps us focused on one thing.

What if my question turns out to be bigger than one call?
That happens sometimes. I'll give you the best advice I can on the call, but if we realise the problem needs deeper investigation, I'll explain why and we can talk about whether a Technical Assessment or Backchannel makes more sense.

When do I get the written summary?
Within 3 business days of our call.

Can I book multiple calls?
Yes. Some people book a call every few months when big decisions come up. If you're booking regularly, Backchannel might be more cost-effective.

Can my business partner be on the call too?
Yes, that's fine. You're also welcome to share the recording afterwards.

What if I'm not technical at all?
Most of my clients aren't technical. I'll explain the advice in plain language so you understand what to do next.

Have another question?
Email me at joe@joeniland.com and I'll reply ASAP.

How do I get started?

The fee for an Advice & Unblocking call is AUD $495 ex GST. This includes the call, written summary, and email follow-up.

Not sure?

If you're not confident a single call will cover it, consider Backchannel for ongoing async access. You can ask questions whenever they come up instead of saving them for a single session.

If you think the problem is bigger and needs a proper investigation, a Technical Assessment might be the right starting point.

Availability is limited

I take a few Advice & Unblocking calls per month, with bookings available on a first-come, first-served basis.