Kashiwagi Solution Model Inc.

What Kashiwagi Solution Model Inc. does

Kashiwagi Solution Model Inc. (KSM Inc.) is a Mesa, Arizona-based private consulting firm founded by Dr. Dean Kashiwagi to commercialize the Best Value Approach (BVA), a project management and risk management methodology he developed in 1992. The company targets procurement professionals across government, education, and enterprise markets, offering a 4-phase process that automates vendor selection, RFP creation, contract development, and project performance monitoring with claimed outcomes of 30% cost savings and 98% on-time/on-budget delivery. KSM Inc. generates revenue through three streams: 1-on-1 consulting and coaching at $70/hour (with a recommended 35-hour minimum), a self-paced online certification course priced at $250, and a free introductory package designed to convert prospects into paid engagements. Its go-to-market is sales-led and direct, using Calendly bookings, case-study content, and the founder's academic credentials as primary demand-generation assets. The company maintains a strategic alliance with Arizona State University, where BVA originated and remains the institution's most licensed intellectual property, and is associated with the PBSRG research group and CIB W117 standards commission.

Name

Kashiwagi Solution Model Inc.

Legal name

Kashiwagi Solution Model Inc.

Website

https://ksm-inc.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1992

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Kashiwagi Solution Model Inc. is a Mesa, Arizona-based private consulting firm that commercializes the Best Value Approach (BVA) methodology, offering procurement and project management coaching, online certification, and advisory services to professionals in government, education, and enterprise.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Procurement Consulting Services

NAICS

Professional and Management Development Training (61143)

SIC

Services-Management Consulting Services (8742), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Project, Program & Portfolio Management Certifications (EDAAANAB)

Keywords

• Procurement consulting
• Project management services
• Vendor selection
• Contract management
• RFP optimization

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Consulting/Coaching Services: 1-on-1 consulting and coaching services at $70/hr, recommended 35 hour minimum, covering vendor selection, contract development, and project performance monitoring.
2. Online Training Course: One-time purchase online course teaching the Best Value Approach methodology.
3. RFP Consultation: Free introductory package including presentation, example case studies, and RFP consultation services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Kashiwagi Solution Model Inc. teaches and applies the Best Value Approach (BVA), a 4-phase procurement and services management methodology developed by Dr. Dean Kashiwagi in 1992. The company sells a self-paced online certification course ($250), a free introductory package with presentation, case studies and RFP consultation, and 1-on-1 consulting/coaching services at $70/hr covering vendor selection, contract development, and project performance monitoring.

Product overview

Kashiwagi Solution Model Inc. (KSM Inc.) offers a suite of procurement and project management services centered on the Best Value Approach (BVA), a methodology developed by Dr. Dean Kashiwagi in 1992. The product portfolio consists of three main offerings: (1) an Online Course for self-paced BVA certification training ($250), (2) a free Introductory Package providing case studies and RFP consultation, and (3) Consulting/Coaching services ($70/hr) for vendor selection, contract development, and project performance monitoring. The BVA is described as a 4-phase process designed to help professionals purchase anything without doing everything, aiming to cut workload in half and save up to 30% on project costs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Best Value Online Course Self-paced online training program priced at $250 that prepares learners for certification in the Best Value Approach (BVA) methodology. Targets individual practitioners and procurement professionals seeking BVA certification.
• Introductory Package Free introductory package that includes a presentation, example case studies, and an RFP consultation to help prospects understand and evaluate the Best Value Approach before committing to paid coaching.
• Consulting/Coaching Engagements 1-on-1 consulting and coaching services billed at $70/hour with a recommended 35-hour minimum engagement. Covers vendor selection, contract development, and project performance monitoring using the Best Value Approach. Designed for professionals and organizations executing procurement or service management projects.

Quantifiable outcome

• 30% reduction in project costs
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Arizona State UniversitycoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing Partner · 1 January 1992BVA was developed by Dr. Dean Kashiwagi at ASU. It is the most licensed intellectual property developed at Arizona State University, which was voted Most Innovative University in the country for four years in a row. The methodology is licensed for use globally.
• PBSRG (Performance Based Studies Research Group)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. Dean Kashiwagi is the founder and Director of PBSRG. The research group conducts performance-based studies and is affiliated with the Best Value Approach methodology.
• CIB W117 (Construction International Building)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. Dean Kashiwagi serves as Coordinator of CIB W117 Performance Measurement in Construction, an international working commission focused on performance measurement.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• CIPS (Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply): Global professional body offering procurement certifications and standards — comparable as both a competing certification pathway and a methodology-anchored training provider for procurement professionals.
• ProcureAbility: Procurement and supply chain consulting firm delivering advisory services around category management, vendor selection, and contract management — a direct competitor in procurement methodology consulting.
• Positive Purchasing: Procurement training and advisory firm selling methodology-led consulting and workshops to procurement teams globally — closely aligned with KSM's BVA certification and 1-on-1 coaching model.
• Art of Procurement: Procurement-focused training, consulting, and content platform helping practitioners improve vendor selection and contract management — directly comparable to KSM's mission of teaching a structured procurement methodology.

Broad incumbents

• McKinsey & Company (Procurement Practice): Global management consulting firm with a deep procurement and operations practice serving enterprises and governments; a broad incumbent whose procurement advisory services compete for the same enterprise and government RFPs.
• GEP Worldwide: Procurement and supply chain consulting and software firm serving Fortune 500 and government clients — a broad incumbent with a dedicated procurement methodology practice comparable to KSM's BVA deployment.
• PMI (Project Management Institute): Global standard-setter for project management certifications (PMP, PfMP) — a broader incumbent offering competing credentials in the same project management certification market KSM targets with its BVA course.

Emerging players

• Procurify: Procurement automation platform for SMB and mid-market buyers — comparable as a software-led alternative to methodology-based procurement enablement targeting similar buyer pain points.
• Coupa Software: Procurement and spend management SaaS platform — an emerging player that competes for the same procurement modernization budget by digitizing vendor selection and RFP workflows KSM addresses through methodology.
• Gatekeeper: Vendor and contract lifecycle management platform that digitizes RFP, vendor onboarding, and contract workflows — an emerging tech-led competitor to KSM's methodology-driven procurement process.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kashiwagi-solution-model

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Kashiwagi Solution Model Inc.