Scoring methodology
Every firm is scored from 0 to 10 on eight weighted criteria. The overall score is the weighted average, rounded to one decimal.
Updated October 2026
Criteria and weights
| Criterion | Weight | What earns points |
|---|---|---|
| Production track record | 20% | Named systems in production, with clients or outcomes stated in a source we can link. Volume and recency of that evidence. |
| Technical depth | 15% | Technical and research capability: model work, published research or open-source output, proprietary tooling, and breadth across ML, GenAI and data. |
| Industry depth | 10% | Dedicated industry practices, domain staff and repeat work in a sector. |
| Delivery model and handoff | 15% | How the firm structures teams, phases work, and hands over code, IP and documentation. |
| Commercial clarity | 10% | Whether pricing models, contract terms or rates are published or clearly described. |
| Platform independence | 10% | Freedom to choose clouds, models and platforms on the client’s behalf. Firms built around one vendor score lower here, which is not a judgment on quality. |
| Stability and scale | 10% | Years in operation, headcount where disclosed and funding where relevant. |
| Independent evidence | 10% | Third-party evidence: press coverage, vendor or analyst awards, certifications and co-published case studies, as opposed to testimonials the firm publishes itself. |
Score bands
| Score | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 9.0 to 10 | Exceptional, with strong independent evidence on every criterion |
| 8.0 to 8.9 | Strong on the criterion, with independent evidence |
| 7.0 to 7.9 | Solid, documented mainly by the firm’s own materials |
| 6.0 to 6.9 | Limited or partial evidence |
| Below 6.0 | Little public evidence, or a known weakness |
Verdict labels
An overall score of 7.5 or higher earns Recommend. Scores from 7.0 to 7.4 earn Recommend for the right fit. Scores below 7.0 earn Conditional.
Evidence
Each review links its sources. Facts come from the firm’s own site, press coverage, platform partner announcements and published interviews. When a figure is reported by the firm, the review says so. Firms cannot pay for a review or a score, and we do not accept placement fees.
Updates
We revisit each review when a firm is acquired, raises money, changes leadership or publishes new client work, and at least once a year.