Questions people ask first

The questions below come up before anything else does. Where the answer is a limitation, it is written as one.

Is rhizae a firm or a person?

An independent practice led by Rich Nguon, with specialist collaborators named before work begins when a project needs expertise the practice does not hold. About the practice describes how that is handled and what being small rules out.

Has this work been done for paying clients?

Some of it. The projects on this site are labeled individually, and the labels are accurate rather than flattering: a portfolio sample, a demonstration prototype, independent research, and prior experience are each marked as such. If you want the fastest read on the track record, read the status on a project before its summary.

Why is unfinished work published?

Because the alternative is a site where every investigation appears to have succeeded. Work is published at the stage it actually reached, and the stage is visible. Measuring local economic resilience is unfinished and says so, including that its measure is not fit for funding decisions.

Who owns the result?

You do. Each pilot has defined scope, documented limitations, and clear ownership of the resulting work, as Potential pilot partners sets out. Data stays under the terms it arrived with, covered by Governance.

Will you work with data about people?

Yes, under conditions. The practice does not collect more about people than the question needs, and does not accept work whose conclusion is fixed in advance. Research and data ethics describes the review that applies.

What will you not take on?

High-stakes causal evaluation, legal or regulatory advice, large-scale governance transformation, several large engagements at once, and specialist statistical work outside demonstrated capability. Being told no early is cheaper for both sides.

Can I reuse a method from this site?

Yes. The methods are written to be reused and attribution is appreciated rather than required. If one fails in a way the page did not anticipate, that is worth reporting.

Is the site accessible?

It targets WCAG 2.2 AA on every page, with automated checks in the build. The current state, including known gaps, is in Accessibility statement.

How does a conversation start?

Describe the decision you are facing and what evidence you already hold. The reply will say if it falls outside current capability. Use the contact page.