--- title: "Design: Phase 2 | Operations Foundation Build for Trades" description: A buildable blueprint for how your trades business should run, mapped across 7 PROFITS pillars. Design is Phase 2 of the Operations Foundation Build. image: https://www.funnelforwardops.com/hubfs/Game%20Plan%20-%20Design%20Blueprint%20(Website).png --- [Skip to content](https://www.funnelforwardops.com/foundation-build/design#main-content) [![Funnel Forward Logo](https://www.funnelforwardops.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Large%20Horizontal%20-%20Colour%20-%20Trans.png?width=1200&height=600&name=Large%20Horizontal%20-%20Colour%20-%20Trans.png "Funnel Forward Logo")](https://www.FunnelForwardOps.com) - [Services](https://www.funnelforwardops.com/start-here) - [Diagnostic](https://www.funnelforwardops.com/growth-ops-diagnostic) - [Foundation Build](https://www.funnelforwardops.com/foundation-build) - [Fractional COO](https://www.funnelforwardops.com/fractional-partner) - [Care Plans](https://www.funnelforwardops.com/care-plans) - [A Client Story](https://www.funnelforwardops.com/client-stories) - [Our Approach](https://www.funnelforwardops.com/the-forward-path) - [The Forward Path](https://www.funnelforwardops.com/the-forward-path) - [Discovery](https://www.funnelforwardops.com/foundation-build/discovery) - [Design](https://www.funnelforwardops.com/foundation-build/design) - [Deploy](https://www.funnelforwardops.com/foundation-build/deploy) - [Drive](https://www.funnelforwardops.com/foundation-build/drive) - [Develop](https://www.funnelforwardops.com/fractional-partner) - [About](https://www.funnelforwardops.com/about) - [Our Story](https://www.funnelforwardops.com/about) - [Partners](https://www.funnelforwardops.com/partners) - [Resources](https://www.funnelforwardops.com/resources) - [Blog](https://www.funnelforwardops.com/blog) - [CRM/FSM Software Guide](https://www.funnelforwardops.com/crm-fsm-guide-trades-business) - [Ops Readiness Assessment](https://www.funnelforwardops.com/trades-operational-readiness-assessment) - [Operations Partner Guide](https://www.funnelforwardops.com/how-to-choose-the-right-operations-partner-for-your-trades-business) - [See If We're a Fit](https://www.funnelforwardops.com/book-consultation?hsLang=en) PHASE 2: DESIGN — THE OPERATIONS FOUNDATION BUILD # **Know Exactly How to Fix It —** A Blueprint Your Team Can Build On A complete, buildable blueprint for how your sales and production operations should run, mapped across all 7 PROFITS pillars and built directly from what Discovery uncovered. [See If We're a Fit](https://www.funnelforwardops.com/book-consultation?hsLang=en) Toggle 1. [Overview](https://www.funnelforwardops.com/foundation-build/design#overview) 2. [Deliverables](https://www.funnelforwardops.com/foundation-build/design#deliverable) 3. [Why Us](https://www.funnelforwardops.com/foundation-build/design#why) 4. [Fit](https://www.funnelforwardops.com/foundation-build/design#match) 5. [Pricing](https://www.funnelforwardops.com/foundation-build/design#price) 6. [FAQ](https://www.funnelforwardops.com/foundation-build/design#faqs) 7. [Start](https://www.funnelforwardops.com/foundation-build/design#begin) ## **Why Design Matters** ### From What's Broken to How to Fix It Discovery showed you where your sales and production operations are leaking. Design shows you exactly how to rebuild them. Think of it like a house blueprint. Before anyone frames a wall, an architect maps every room and every system, so the build crew isn't guessing. Design works the same way. We map your people, meetings, workflows, goals, data, tech, and documentation into one connected plan, detailed enough that Deploy and Drive can build directly off it without second-guessing what you actually need. This isn't a report you read and shelve, and it isn't a coaching program. Design is Phase 2 of a committed, four-phase engagement: The Foundation Build. We design this blueprint *with* you, then we're the ones who build it in the phases that follow. ![Game Plan - Design Blueprint (Website)](https://www.funnelforwardops.com/hubfs/Game%20Plan%20-%20Design%20Blueprint%20(Website).png "Game Plan - Design Blueprint (Website)") ## Deliverables ##### [Kickoff Call](https://www.funnelforwardops.com/foundation-build/design#collapse1-module_17876709837323) A 30-minute call to confirm your Design path (with or without CRM/FSM vetting), map your timeline, and clarify who's involved and what their role is at each step, especially if vetting a core software solution is part of your engagement. ##### [Operations Blueprint](https://www.funnelforwardops.com/foundation-build/design#collapse2-module_17876709837323) The detailed, visual blueprint for how your business should operate across all 7 PROFITS pillars: People, Rhythm, Order, Forward, Intelligence, Technology, and Skills. Built directly from your Discovery findings, delivered as a visual presentation during your Walkthrough Call, and added to your Client Portal for ongoing access. ##### [Walkthrough Call](https://www.funnelforwardops.com/foundation-build/design#collapse3-module_17876709837323) A 2-hour call where you see your custom Design blueprint for the first time. We walk through each PROFITS pillar in detail, answer your questions, and refine the design before we move into Deploy. We'll also book time to talk through what's next before you leave the call.   *If your engagement includes CRM or FSM vetting, you'll also receive a CRM/FSM Needs Assessment, Vendor Shortlist & Demos, and CRM/FSM Selection — all completed before we build this part of your blueprint.* ## Your Blueprint, Mapped Across PROFITS Discovery showed you your current state. Design shows you the future state, pillar by pillar. --- **P — People** Your org chart for how sales and production should be structured: who owns what, who reports to whom, and where accountability sits as your team grows. **R — Rhythm** The meetings your business actually needs: what they are, how often, how they run, and why each earns its place on the calendar. **O — Order** Your workflows mapped step by step, with clear ownership at every stage, so everyone knows what happens next and whose job it is. **F — Forward** Your mission, vision, values, and goals so your team moves as one unit with a clear line of sight to how their work fits the bigger picture. **I — Intelligence** The KPIs that matter, and how to read them so you see what's healthy and catch what's breaking before it costs you a goal. **T — Technology** The tools your operations need, how they integrate, and how each one should be configured to fit how your business actually runs. **S — Skills** The documentation your team needs to work independently (recommended to live in Whale) plus onboarding and accountability docs so new hires ramp fast and contribute sooner. ---   *This is your blueprint. It's what Deploy configures, and what Drive documents and trains your team on.* ## Why Us Most consultants hand you a generic framework and call it done. A stack of recommendations with no map for how they connect. Design isn't that. Every blueprint is custom to your team, your customers, and your tools, built straight from what we found in your Discovery Report. It's highly visual, so you don't need to read fifty pages to understand how your business should run. And it's connected: People, Rhythm, Order, Forward, Intelligence, Technology, and Skills are designed to work as one connected system; not seven separate documents.![Connected System - Design Blueprint (Video)](https://www.funnelforwardops.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Connected%20System%20-%20Design%20Blueprint%20(Video).png?width=1920&height=1080&name=Connected%20System%20-%20Design%20Blueprint%20(Video).png) Once Design wraps, we walk you through your blueprint and move directly into [Deploy](https://www.funnelforwardops.com/foundation-build/deploy?hsLang=en): building the systems this blueprint calls for.   ## Is Design Right for Your Business? ### A fit if: ✅ You've completed Discovery and know where your operations are leaking ✅ You're ready to see how your sales and production operations *should* run; not just what's broken ✅ You're doing $750K to $5M+ and building systems that scale with you ✅ You're ready to move into building the fix, not just reading about it ### Not yet if: ❌ You haven't completed Discovery yet [Learn About Discovery](https://www.funnelforwardops.com/foundation-build/discovery?hsLang=en) ## Investment & Timeline We offer two Design packages depending on whether you need CRM/FSM vetting: CAD $7,500 | USD $5,625 4 weeks, Kickoff to Walkthrough Call ### Design Only (CRM/FSM already selected) CAD $15,000 | USD $11,250 12 weeks, Kickoff to Walkthrough Call. Most of that 12-week window is calendar time, not consulting hours: real vendor demos, real input from your team, and a CRM or FSM decision you can stand behind. Not our guess at what fits. ### Design + CRM/FSM Vetting       ### Not Sure Which Package You Need? You likely need CRM/FSM vetting if: ✅ You don't have a CRM/FSM yet ✅ Your current CRM/FSM doesn't fit how your business operates ✅ You're not sure if your current tool can support your growth ✅ You're using spreadsheets or disconnected tools to track jobs and customers **You likely don't need CRM/FSM vetting if:** ✅You have a CRM/FSM that fits your business well ✅You've recently invested in a new system and want to optimize it ✅Your Discovery Report confirmed your current CRM/FSM is a good foundation       *Still not sure? We'll help you decide during your Discovery Walkthrough Call.* ## FAQs   ##### [What is the Design phase?](https://www.funnelforwardops.com/foundation-build/design#collapse1-widget_1787936005410) Design is Phase 2 of the **[Operations Foundation Build](https://www.funnelforwardops.com/foundation-build?hsLang=en)**. It turns your **[Discovery](https://www.funnelforwardops.com/foundation-build/discovery?hsLang=en)** findings into a complete, visual blueprint for how your sales and production operations should run, mapped across all **[seven PROFITS pillars](https://www.funnelforwardops.com/foundation-build/design#profits)**. ##### [Do I have to complete Discovery before Design?](https://www.funnelforwardops.com/foundation-build/design#collapse2-widget_1787936005410) Yes. Design is built directly from what **[Discovery](https://www.funnelforwardops.com/foundation-build/discovery?hsLang=en)** uncovered, so a completed Discovery phase is required. If you haven't done Discovery yet, that's where you start. You can't blueprint what you haven't diagnosed. ##### [How long does Design take?](https://www.funnelforwardops.com/foundation-build/design#collapse3-widget_1787936005410) Design Only, when your CRM/FSM is already chosen, takes 4 weeks. Design + CRM/FSM Vetting takes 12 weeks. Most of that is calendar time is for identifying your team's software needs, real vendor demos, and team input, so you land on a CRM or FSM decision you can stand behind rather than our guess at what fits. ##### [What is the PROFITS framework?](https://www.funnelforwardops.com/foundation-build/design#collapse4-widget_1787936005410) **[PROFITS](https://www.funnelforwardops.com/foundation-build/design#profits)** is the seven operational pillars every Design blueprint is built around: People, Rhythm, Order, Forward, Intelligence, Technology, and Skills. Designing across all seven keeps your operations connected rather than seven separate documents. ##### [Do I need CRM/FSM vetting as part of Design?](https://www.funnelforwardops.com/foundation-build/design#collapse5-widget_1787936005410) You need it if you don't have a CRM/FSM yet, your current one doesn't fit how your business operates, or you're not sure it can support your growth. If your current tool fits well and **[Discovery](https://www.funnelforwardops.com/foundation-build/discovery?hsLang=en)** confirmed it, you can choose Design Only and skip vetting. ##### [What do I receive at the end of Design?](https://www.funnelforwardops.com/foundation-build/design#collapse6-widget_1787936005410) A visual Operations Blueprint, delivered during a 2-hour Walkthrough Call and added to your Client Portal for ongoing access. We refine it together on the call, then move directly into **[Deploy](https://www.funnelforwardops.com/foundation-build/deploy?hsLang=en)** to build it. ## What Comes Next Once Design is complete, we move directly into Deploy configuring your CRM or FSM and the rest of your tech stack based on your blueprint. From there, Drive documents everything and trains your team on it. Every phase builds on the one before, so nothing gets built twice.   [Learn About Deploy](https://www.funnelforwardops.com/foundation-build/deploy?hsLang=en) # Ready to See Your Blueprint? You've got clarity on what's broken. Design gives you the plan to fix it — mapped across every part of how your business runs, built specifically for your team.   *We take on a limited number of Foundation Build engagements at a time, so every client gets hands-on attention. If you're considering this, the consultation is the place to start.* [See If We're a Fit](https://www.funnelforwardops.com/book-consultation?hsLang=en) [Take the Assessment](https://www.funnelforwardops.com/trades-operational-readiness-assessment?hsLang=en) [![Funnel Forward Logo with purple and teal colours](https://www.funnelforwardops.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Small%20Logo%20Canvas%20-%20Colour%20Trans.png?width=250&height=150&name=Small%20Logo%20Canvas%20-%20Colour%20Trans.png "Funnel Forward Logo with purple and teal colours")](https://www.FunnelForwardOps.com) **Hands-On Operational Partner for Trades & Home Services** We don't coach. We don't consult from the sidelines. We execute alongside you by building the systems, SOPs, and structure your business runs on, so it doesn't depend on you for everything to work. 📍 Based in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada | Serving North America[mailto:Hello@FunnelForwardOps.com](mailto:Hello@FunnelForwardOps.com) [Get in Touch](https://www.funnelforwardops.com/contact?hsLang=en) Hello \[at\] FunnelForwardOps \[dot\] com[mailto:Hello@FunnelForwardOps.com](mailto:Hello@FunnelForwardOps.com) *(No solicitations, please - for project inquiries only)* [Follow us on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/funnelforward) [Follow us on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/FunnelForward/) [Follow us on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/funnelforwardops/) [Subscribe to YouTube channel](https://www.youtube.com/@FunnelForward) #### Services - [Diagnostic](https://www.funnelforwardops.com/growth-ops-diagnostic) - [Foundation Build](https://www.funnelforwardops.com/foundation-build) - [Fractional COO](https://www.funnelforwardops.com/fractional-partner) - [Care Plans](https://www.funnelforwardops.com/care-plans) - [See If We're a Fit](https://www.funnelforwardops.com/book-consultation) #### Our Approach - [The Forward Path](https://www.funnelforwardops.com/the-forward-path) - [Discovery](https://www.funnelforwardops.com/foundation-build/discovery) - [Design](https://www.funnelforwardops.com/foundation-build/design) - [Deploy](https://www.funnelforwardops.com/foundation-build/deploy) - [Drive](https://www.funnelforwardops.com/foundation-build/drive) - [Develop](https://www.funnelforwardops.com/fractional-partner) ### Built to Scale™ - Blog - [© 2026 Funnel Forward | All Rights Reserved. | Privacy Policy](https://www.funnelforwardops.com/privacy-policy) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "FAQPage", "mainEntity" : [ { "@type" : "Question", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Design is Phase 2 of the Operations Foundation Build. It turns your Discovery findings into a complete, visual blueprint for how your sales and production operations should run, mapped across all seven PROFITS pillars." }, "name" : "What is the Design phase?" }, { "@type" : "Question", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Yes. Design is built directly from what Discovery uncovered, so a completed Discovery phase is required. If you haven't done Discovery yet, that's where you start. You can't blueprint what you haven't diagnosed." }, "name" : "Do I have to complete Discovery before Design?" }, { "@type" : "Question", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Design Only, when your CRM/FSM is already chosen, takes 4 weeks. Design + CRM/FSM Vetting takes 12 weeks. Most of that is calendar time is for identifying your team's software needs, real vendor demos, and team input, so you land on a CRM or FSM decision you can stand behind rather than our guess at what fits." }, "name" : "How long does Design take?" }, { "@type" : "Question", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "PROFITS is the seven operational pillars every Design blueprint is built around: People, Rhythm, Order, Forward, Intelligence, Technology, and Skills. Designing across all seven keeps your operations connected rather than seven separate documents." }, "name" : "What is the PROFITS framework?" }, { "@type" : "Question", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "You need it if you don't have a CRM/FSM yet, your current one doesn't fit how your business operates, or you're not sure it can support your growth. If your current tool fits well and Discovery confirmed it, you can choose Design Only and skip vetting." }, "name" : "Do I need CRM/FSM vetting as part of Design?" }, { "@type" : "Question", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "A visual Operations Blueprint, delivered during a 2-hour Walkthrough Call and added to your Client Portal for ongoing access. We refine it together on the call, then move directly into Deploy to build it." }, "name" : "What do I receive at the end of Design?" } ] } ```