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Project timeline
Individual plans
Data requirements
FTE budget
Day 0
Pre-engagement preparation
QBR — CFO, VF, engagement manager (min. 3): risk hypothesis, role assignments, sensitivities Project schedule locked; interview calendar confirmed with all 6 participants Data request sent (tiered — T1 required Day 1 morning) Recording consent obtained Engagement brief · signed-off schedule · data request sent
Day 1
Preparation + data intake
VF owns interview preparation (templates adapted to risk hypothesis) CFO owns data quality and understanding — policy, anomalies, narrative signals VF owns data availability — ingestion, format conversion, platform setup Data team: normalization begins (2h) Data quality memo · tailored interview guides per role · ingestion confirmed
Day 2
On-site interviews I + data processing
Both FTEs: CEO (60 min), CFO/Finance (60 min), COO (60 min) — 3 interviews CFO leads conversation; VF records and scores in real time Post-interview debrief 10–15 min per session Data team: automated processing continues in parallel 3 recorded + transcribed interviews · debrief notes · Day 2 scoring impressions
Day 3
On-site interviews II + data processing
Both FTEs: Commercial/Sales (60 min), Controller (45 min), Board member/Shareholder (45 min) — 3 interviews CFO leads Commercial and Board/Shareholder; VF leads Controller Board/Shareholder interview: governance quality, stakeholder confidence, strategic oversight — maps to S1 Outstanding Tier 2 data gaps collected; all 6 transcripts complete by end of day All 6 interviews complete · full transcripts · T2 gaps resolved
Day 4
Automated processing + four-eyes review
Automated: ratios, IDW S6 scores, all 6 transcript scorings, benchmark pull (2h data) Four-eyes: CFO leads interview transcript review; VF leads data output review Cross-verify; contradictions flagged as high-value diagnostic findings Validated interview scores · validated data scores · contradiction log
Day 5
Synthesis + AI narrative review
AI generates narrative overnight: S0–S6 draft, risk signals, contradictions Four-eyes: CFO leads IDW S6 positioning; VF leads data evidence validation CFO confirms final S0–S6 position and top 5 risk signals Confirmed S0–S6 position · validated risk signals · approved AI narrative
Day 6
Report auto-generation + next-steps discussion
Full 8-section report auto-populated from Day 5 validated outputs FTEs: joint discussion on follow-on service, feedback session framing, sensitivities Data team: peer benchmarking finalization (2h) Complete report draft · next-steps brief · benchmark data confirmed
Day 7
AI action plan + peer benchmarking + finalization
AI generates 30–60 day action plan (IDW S6 remediation, urgency × impact) Data team finalizes sector peer benchmarking (2h) Four-eyes: CFO reviews action plan; VF reviews benchmarking; cross-verify Finalized report with action plan + peer benchmarking
Day 8
Internal sign-off + presentation development
Both FTEs: full end-to-end report review; engagement manager final read Four-eyes on complete document; report signed off Feedback session deck built; session roles agreed Signed-off report · approved feedback deck · role assignments
Day 9
Reserve
Absorbs slippage without compressing quality or delivery timeline If on schedule: dry-run, polish, client scheduling confirmation Buffer — no planned deliverable
Day 10
Report delivery
Report delivered electronically with covering note Feedback session formally scheduled: date, attendees, agenda Report delivered · feedback session booked
D11–14
Feedback session (90–120 min)
Both FTEs present jointly; CFO leads findings + action plan; VF leads benchmarking + data 45 min findings, 45 min action plan discussion Session record within 48h; transition to next VF engagement discussed Session record · agreed next steps · engagement transition brief
Project lead (CFO)
VF support
VF data processing
Customer participation
Day 0
QBR participant — market context, risk hypothesis input Confirms on-site availability Days 2–3 Risk hypothesis input · availability confirmed
Day 1
Data quality and understanding: accounting policy, anomaly scan, narrative signals Reviews VF-prepared interview guides; adapts emphasis from data findings 4h Data quality assessment memo · adapted interview emphasis per role
Day 2
Leads CEO, CFO/Finance, COO interviews (conversation only — no note-taking) Post-interview debrief with VF after each session (10–15 min) 4h 3 interviews conducted · debrief scoring notes
Day 3
Leads Commercial/Sales interview (60 min) and Board/Shareholder interview (45 min) Attends Controller interview (VF leads, 45 min) Board/Shareholder interview focus: governance quality, strategic oversight, stakeholder confidence (S1 signal) Post-interview debrief with VF after each session; flags data gaps 4h 3 interviews conducted · Board/Shareholder S1 signal notes · data gap list
Day 4
Leads four-eyes review of all 6 interview transcript scorings Cross-verifies VF’s data output review Documents qualitative vs quantitative contradictions 3h Validated interview scores · contradiction log
Day 5
Reviews AI narrative for CFO-grade quality; sharpens language Leads IDW S6 positioning confirmation; top 5 risk signals confirmed Cross-verifies VF’s data evidence review 4h Confirmed S0–S6 position · top 5 signals · approved AI narrative
Day 6
Joint next-steps discussion: follow-on service, feedback session design, sensitivities 3h Next-steps brief · feedback session framing agreed
Day 7
Leads four-eyes review of AI action plan: credibility, sequencing, capacity Cross-verifies benchmarking outputs 2h Validated 30–60 day action plan
Day 8
End-to-end report review; leads narrative and IDW S6 framing in deck Four-eyes sign-off on complete document 2h Report sign-off · presentation narrative sections
Day 9
Reserve — feedback session dry-run if on schedule Day 10
Participates in report delivery; confirms feedback session with client 1h Delivery confirmed · session scheduled
D11–14
Presents IDW S6 positioning, risk narrative, 30–60 day action plan Leads action plan discussion 3h Session record (48h) · engagement transition brief
Day 0
QBR participant — owns interview template preparation and data request structuring Locks project schedule; confirms all interview slots with 6 client participants Project schedule · interview calendar confirmed · data request sent
Day 1
Owns interview preparation: templates tailored to client context and risk hypothesis Data availability: ingestion, format conversion, platform setup, data team handoff 4h Tailored interview guides (all 6 roles) · data ingested and platform ready
Day 2
Attends all Day 2 interviews: manages recording, scores in real time on VF template Post-interview debrief with CFO; flags data gaps for team follow-up 4h Real-time scoring notes Day 2 · data gap list
Day 3
Leads Controller interview (45 min — data/IT expertise) Attends Commercial/Sales (CFO leads) and Board/Shareholder (CFO leads) — records and scores both Collects outstanding Tier 2 data; coordinates data team handoff; all 6 transcripts complete 4h Controller interview complete · all 6 transcripts · T2 gaps resolved
Day 4
Leads four-eyes review of data processing outputs (ratios, flags, benchmarks) Cross-verifies CFO’s interview transcript scoring review 3h Validated data outputs · QA’d automated flags
Day 5
Leads review of data evidence per IDW S6 dimension; validates benchmark draft Cross-verifies CFO’s narrative and positioning review 4h Validated data evidence per dimension · benchmark draft confirmed
Day 6
Joint next-steps discussion with CFO Monitors automated report generation; manages data team benchmark finalization 3h Next-steps brief · benchmark data confirmed
Day 7
Leads four-eyes review of peer benchmarking (cohort, metrics, percentile positions) Cross-verifies CFO’s action plan review 2h Validated peer benchmarking outputs
Day 8
End-to-end report review; leads data slides and benchmarking exhibits in deck Four-eyes sign-off on complete document 2h Report sign-off · data + benchmarking slides approved
Day 10
Report delivery logistics; feedback session scheduling 1h Report delivered · session confirmed with client
D11–14
Presents peer benchmarking exhibits and data-driven findings Supports action plan discussion; contributes to session record 3h Benchmarking section presented · session record contribution
Day 1
Receive and ingest client data package; format conversion, deduplication, normalization Platform ingestion confirmed to VF support 2h Data ingested · normalization started · format issues flagged
D2–3
Automated financial ratio computation (P&L, BS, CF) Transcript scoring pipeline runs as all 6 transcripts arrive Initial peer benchmark pulls (sector, geography, size band) Runs in parallel to on-site — no FTE dependency Automated outputs ready for Day 4 four-eyes review
Day 4
Full model outputs: all ratios, IDW S6 data dimension scores, preliminary flags Peer benchmark data positioning (initial); output package to VF support 2h Full data model outputs · IDW S6 data scores · preliminary peer benchmarking
Day 6
Refine cohort based on confirmed S0–S6 position Finalize sector median and quartile data for 5–7 core metrics 2h Refined benchmarking cohort · sector percentile data confirmed
Day 7
Final peer benchmarking outputs: all metrics with percentile positions Formatted for report and presentation deck; handed to VF support 2h Final peer benchmarking pack · report-ready exhibits
What the client sees and experiences — external-facing participation plan.
Client-facing activity
Type
Day 0
Engagement kick-off
Receives engagement brief and client-visible project timeline (Days 0, 2–3, 10, 11–14) Interview calendar confirmed with all 6 participants by VF Data request package received — tiered (T1 required Day 1 morning) Recording consent obtained from all interview participants Remote
Day 1
Data delivery + confirmation
Client delivers Tier 1 data package by morning Receives brief acknowledgement + data gap note if T1 items are missing Data delivery
Day 2
On-site interviews I
10-min scene-setting: purpose, structure, confidentiality, recording consent CEO interview (60 min) — strategy, stakeholders, market position CFO/Finance interview (60 min) — financial performance, liquidity, forecasting COO interview (60 min) — operations, working capital, cost structure On-site
Day 3
On-site interviews II
Commercial/Sales interview (60 min) — revenue quality, pipeline, customer concentration Controller interview (45 min) — data quality, management reporting, systems Board member / Shareholder interview (45 min) — governance, strategic oversight, stakeholder confidence Outstanding Tier 2 data gaps requested from relevant function heads On-site
D4–9
Analysis phase — no client contact
Client is aware the team is in analysis — no interim findings shared Optional brief status note Day 6–7 if client requests reassurance No contact
Day 10
Report delivery
Full report delivered electronically to CEO and/or CFO Covering note orienting to structure and key findings at a glance Feedback session scheduled: date, attendees, agenda shared Client instructed to read before session — session is discussion, not read-through Delivery
D11–14
Feedback session (90–120 min)
Attendees: CEO, CFO, Board member / Shareholder recommended 45 min: IDW S6 positioning, risk signals, peer benchmarking 45 min: 30–60 day action plan discussion Both VF FTEs present jointly; session record within 48h Transition: next engagement step proposed and discussed On-site / video
T1 required Day 1 morning · T2 required by Day 3 · T3 optional enrichment
Tier 1 — Critical T1 Assessment not possible without these
Data item Scope / format Evaluation purpose S6 stage P&L statement Last 3 fiscal years + YTD actuals + current year forecast Revenue trend, EBITDA margin trend, forecast accuracy score (YE forecast vs YTD actuals) S2–S4 Balance sheet Last 3 fiscal years + current YTD Equity ratio, net debt, NWC absolute, asset quality flags, goodwill concentration S4–S6 Cash flow statement Last 2 fiscal years + 13-week rolling forecast Operating cash conversion, free cash flow, cash runway base + stress (−25% revenue) S5–S6 Revenue breakdown By product/service line + top 10 customers + payment history Customer concentration index (HHI), top-5 revenue share, retention proxy, pricing trend S2–S3 Headcount & cost By function, FTE count, total employment cost Cost-to-serve proxy, fixed cost rigidity, operating leverage assessment S4
Tier 2 — High value T2 Complete assessment; partial estimation without these
Data item Scope / format Evaluation purpose S6 stage AR aging report Current, by customer and age bucket DSO computation, hidden bad debt detection, collection pressure signal S5 AP aging report Current, by supplier and age bucket DPO computation, supplier payment stress, working capital consumption S5 Inventory turnover Current + prior year DIO computation, obsolescence risk, NWC bridge contribution S4–S5 Debt schedule Full: maturities, rates, covenant definitions + current headroom Covenant breach risk, maturity wall detection, lender relationship signal S5–S6 NWC bridge Prior year vs current, by component Cash consumption from working capital; silent cash drain identification S4–S5 Management reporting pack Last 2 months current year + December pack for each of last 3 fiscal years Management information quality, reporting discipline; December packs enable multi-year trend comparison of internal KPI framing and management commentary S1–S2 Budget vs actuals YTD, by P&L line Forecast reliability score, planning credibility, management confidence calibration S2–S4
Tier 3 — Enriching T3 Peer benchmarking depth and growth quality
Data item Scope / format Evaluation purpose S6 stage Gross margin by segment Current year + prior year, by business line Margin mix shift, loss-making segment identification, cross-subsidy detection S2–S4 Fixed / variable cost split Current year P&L decomposition Operating leverage ratio, downside sensitivity, restructuring optionality S4 Customer contracts Top 5–10: duration, renewal terms, concentration risk notes Revenue certainty score, churn risk weighting, pipeline quality validation S3 Organisation chart Current, with reporting lines Key-person dependency, management depth, governance structure signal S1 Board packs / investor updates Most recent 1–2 editions Stakeholder framing, information quality, management credibility calibration S1–S2 External assessments Auditor management letter, bank credit review (if available) Independent risk flags, lender concerns, going-concern language detection S5–S6
Day Activity CFO (h) VF (h) Data (h) Total (h) Day 0 QBR + prep 2 2 — 4 Day 1 Preparation 4 4 2 10 Day 2 Interviews I (3) 4 4 — 8 Day 3 Interviews II (3 incl. board) 4 4 — 8 Day 4 Processing + review 3 3 2 8 Day 5 Synthesis 4 4 — 8 Day 6 Report generation 3 3 2 8 Day 7 Plan + finalize 2 2 2 6 Day 8 Sign-off + deck 2 2 — 4 Day 9 Reserve — — — — Day 10 Delivery 1 1 — 2 D11–14 Feedback session 3 3 — 6 Total 32h 32h 8h 72h
Notes
CFO and VF are fully symmetric — 32h each. The addition of the Board/Shareholder interview on Day 3 fits within the existing 4h allocation — total Day 3 interview time is 2h30min (60+45+45), leaving time for setup, debriefs, and data gap follow-up. Data team (8h) operates remotely on Days 1, 4, 6, 7 — no on-site presence required. Four-eyes principle on Days 4, 5, 7, 8: each FTE leads one stream and cross-verifies the other — no extra hours. Day 9 reserve is unbudgeted by design. Feedback session (3h/FTE) includes travel/setup, session, and session record drafting. 