Our Methodology

MANTIS.

A structured, AI-native approach to legacy modernization that integrates human-centered design with automated technical discovery — delivering outcomes in weeks that traditional approaches take months or years to achieve.

Modernizing Applications Natively Through Intelligent Synthesis
Methodology Phases
0
Mission Alignment & Scoping
Stakeholder mapping, mission context, constraints, and success criteria. We understand the mission before we touch the technology.
Human-Led3–5 Days Effort
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Parallel Tracks
1A
Human-Centered Discovery
Structured interviews with 15–40+ users. Contextual observation. AI synthesizes transcripts to extract pain points, workarounds, and real requirements.
Human + AI2–4 Weeks
1B
Automated Technical Discovery
AI ingests entire codebase. Generates architecture maps, dependency graphs, security analysis, business logic extraction, technical debt quantification.
AI-Led2–5 Days Effort
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1C
Convergence Analysis
The Black Swan Labs differentiator. AI maps user pain points to technical root causes. Produces a unified modernization priority framework ordered by mission impact — not just technical debt scores. No other firm produces this artifact.
AI-Led2–4 DaysHuman Review
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2
Documentation & Knowledge Capture
AI generates comprehensive technical and operational documentation from codebase and interview data. Captures institutional knowledge before it's lost. Often has more immediate value than the modernization itself.
AI-GeneratedHuman-Validated3–7 Days
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3
Modernization Strategy & Architecture
Target architecture, technology selection, migration strategy, and phased roadmap. AI generates options and tradeoff analysis. Humans make strategic decisions. Customer approves.
Human DecisionsAI-AssistedCustomer Approval
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4
AI-Augmented Development
Human-AI collaborative engineering. AI coding assistants, automated test generation, continuous code review, and user validation loops throughout.
Human + AI3x Velocity
5–6
Validation, Deploy & Transfer
Continuous behavioral equivalence testing. AI-automated deployment. Generated training materials and operational runbooks. Complete handoff with documentation always in sync.
AI-ContinuousCustomer Ops
Engagement Timeline
Human Work
AI Work
Customer Dependency
Critical Path
Engagement Options

Modernization Intelligence Assessment

Phases 0–1C · 4–6 Weeks

Complete human-centered and technical assessment with converged analysis and prioritized modernization roadmap. Low-risk entry point for any agency.

Documentation Recovery

Phases 1B + 2 · 3–4 Weeks

Comprehensive technical and operational documentation generated from codebase and user knowledge. Immediate risk reduction for undocumented systems.

Full Modernization

Phases 0–6 · Scoped to Mission

End-to-end AI-native modernization from discovery through deployment. Faster delivery, lower risk, measurable outcomes.