Claude Code creates excellent plans but silently skips steps during execution. A three-layer enforcement system with CLAUDE.md rules, a structured verification protocol, and a Stop hook that physically blocks incomplete work fixed the problem after 6 bugs and 15 regression tests.
Most people use Claude to write emails. I use Claude Code and Cowork from Anthropic to run entire consulting engagements with 20+ stakeholders and full deliverable tracking. Here is the project structure that makes it work.
Traditional project budgeting assumes you know the outcome before you start. AI budgeting assumes you will discover the outcome through iteration. RAND research shows more than 80 percent of AI projects fail because of this mismatch. Here is a practical framework mid-size companies can use to budget for AI projects without setting money on fire.
Fixed-scope AI consulting sounds safe but delivers the opposite. RAND Corporation data shows over 80% of AI projects fail, and the Standish Group found agile approaches succeed at roughly 3x the rate of waterfall. Here is what mid-size companies should know.