Understand the service
Begin with the people using the system and the operational purpose it serves. Map the steps, pain points, and critical dependencies.
Inventory the constraints
Record integrations, data, licenses, accessibility needs, approvals, and support responsibilities. Separate confirmed constraints from assumptions that need investigation.
Compare realistic options
Consider improving the current system, extending an existing platform, or building a new application. Explain the tradeoffs in terms of ownership, delivery effort, and operational risk.
Make the next decision concrete
A discovery should leave a scoped recommendation, an initial backlog, open questions, and decision points. It should help the organization decide what to do next.