About LIA

Developed from enterprise practice.

Lean Intake Analysis™ was created by Lia Smith, founder of Smith & Welch LLC, from experience across portfolio delivery, PMO governance, Agile transformation, risk, decision-making, and operational improvement.

Brand architecture

Distinct roles. One coherent system.

Smith & Welch LLCOwns and develops the methodology.

Lean Intake Analysis™The decision-readiness and intake-governance methodology.

LIA Compass™Software that operationalizes and makes parts of the methodology visible and repeatable.

Before the Work BeginsThe thought-leadership and research theme behind the methodology.

Founder Spotlight

Lia Smith

Founder, Smith & Welch LLC · Creator, Lean Intake Analysis™

Lia’s enterprise experience includes transformation, portfolio governance, intake strategy, Agile delivery, operational improvement, and technology leadership. Lean Intake Analysis™ emerged from applying structured analysis and governance practices to real-world enterprise demand and delivery challenges.

The methodology is now being documented, operationalized, reviewed, and prepared for broader organizational validation.

Founder experience is presented separately from evidence attributed specifically to Lean Intake Analysis™.

LIA Compass™

Operationalize LIA with Compass.

LIA Compass™ helps organizations standardize intake, readiness assessment, governance routing, decision records, and portfolio visibility. Lean Intake Analysis™ can be implemented independently of LIA Compass™.

Right Request. Right Path.

What enters delivery matters.

Improve decision readiness before significant capacity, funding, and delivery effort are committed.

Evaluate LIA Pilot LIA in Your PMO