Tool or System? — 20-second self-check

Which one do I need?

Tool or System? Tick what's true.

Any one signal on the left decides it — a single hard requirement (client logins, payments, regulated data) sets the shape of the build, no matter how small the rest looks. Nothing to submit; your result updates as you tick.

Signals it's a System

Clients, customers or the public will log in and use it themselvesMoney moves through it — payments, billing or payoutsIt holds regulated or sensitive records — health, financial, or personal data at scaleIt must stay in sync with other systems, both ways, continuouslyThe business stops if it goes down

Signals it's a Tool

It's one workflow — like quoting, follow-ups or a reportOnly my own team will use it — a handful of peopleIf it were offline for an hour, someone could do the task by hand

Your result appears here

Tick the statements above that match your project.

This is a self-guide, not a quote. Projects that sit on the line are exactly what a 30-minute scoping call is for — we'll tell you which side you're on and why.