A consulting engagement and ArchGuard: when to use which
For complex multi-account enterprise programs with executive readouts, hire a consultant. For a single Terraform workload at startup or mid-market scale, ArchGuard fits the timeline and the budget gap. Here is how to decide.
What a $5K–$25K WAFR engagement gets you
Senior AWS consultant time. Interview-driven discovery across the team. Multi-account analysis covering services and infrastructure the Terraform may not describe. Custom remediation roadmap aligned to your business context. Executive readout deck. Two to four weeks. Real human judgment on edge cases and architectural tradeoffs that require domain expertise.
What ArchGuard gets you
Terraform-native analysis in under an hour. PDF in 24 hours. Four-pillar review across Security, Reliability, Cost Optimization, and Operational Excellence. No interview required. $49–$399/month or $50–$66 per review with Credit Packs. The AI does the structured analysis; the human — you or your consultant — does the judgment layer on top.
| Consulting engagement | ArchGuard | |
|---|---|---|
| Time to deliverable | 2–4 weeks | 24 hours |
| Cost | $5K–$25K per engagement | $49–$399/mo or $50–$66 per review |
| Human judgment | Senior SA or AWS Consultant | You (or your consultant) on top of AI analysis |
| Scope | Multi-account, multi-workload, multi-team | Single Terraform workload |
| Discovery method | Interviews, console access, multi-session | Terraform file upload |
| Best for | Enterprise programs, complex governance | Single workloads at startup or mid-market scale |
How consultants use ArchGuard inside engagements
Many AWS consultants use ArchGuard as the structured analysis layer inside their own engagements — running the AI review against the client’s Terraform, then adding senior-architect judgment on top, then delivering the combined branded report. The Agency plan and Credit Packs are designed for this workflow. You pay $50–$66 per review, bundle the analysis into your engagement scope, and capture the margin on the consulting layer.
Frequently asked questions
Does ArchGuard replace a consultant?↓
No. For complex multi-account, multi-team enterprise reviews with executive readouts and custom remediation roadmaps, you need a consultant. ArchGuard is the right fit for single Terraform workload reviews at startup and mid-market scale — and many consultants use ArchGuard as the structured analysis layer inside their own engagements.
How do consultants use ArchGuard in engagements?↓
Many AWS consultants run ArchGuard against the client's Terraform as the structured analysis pass, then add their own senior-architect judgment on top, then deliver the combined branded report. The Agency plan and Credit Packs are built for this workflow.
What is the AWS Partner Network credit?↓
Qualifying AWS Partners can receive up to $5,000 in AWS credits per partner-led Well-Architected Review when 45% of high-risk findings are remediated. ArchGuard findings map 1:1 to the AWS WAFR pillars and can support a Partner Review submission. Verify eligibility with your AWS Partner Manager.