Career Transition Determination
Career Transition Determination (CTD)
Decision Classification
- TypeCareer Transition Determination
- DomainCareer / Employment
- CategoryPersonal Infrastructure
- ScaleMajor
- Risk HorizonLong-Term
- PortabilityClient-Specific
Summary
Career pivot from corporate finance to independent consulting approved under a structured 9-month staged exit plan with defined financial runway thresholds.
Session Framing
Client sought a structured determination on whether to exit a 14-year corporate finance career to establish an independent financial consulting practice. The session assessed readiness criteria, financial runway adequacy, market positioning, and transition sequencing.
Context Summary
Client is a 41-year-old VP of Finance at a mid-size manufacturing firm. 14 years of institutional experience across FP&A, M&A, and treasury functions. Identified 6 prospective clients through existing network with soft commitments. Household fixed expenses: $11,200/month. Liquid runway: $134,000. Spouse income: $6,500/month. No equity compensation vesting within 12 months.
Structural Analysis
A full exit carries high short-term financial risk given the $11,200 expense base against an unconfirmed revenue stream. However, a staged approach — reducing corporate hours through a negotiated part-time arrangement while onboarding consulting clients — reduces runway burn significantly. The client's network depth and domain specificity (manufacturing sector finance) create defensible positioning in an undercrowded niche.
Financial Snapshot
Runway at full exit: 134,000 ÷ (11,200 - 6,500) = ~28.5 months before reserve depletion. Consulting revenue at 3 clients secured: estimated $18,000-$24,000/month. Break-even: 2.5 clients at average project rate. Staged transition: maintain 60% corporate salary ($7,800/month) during onboarding phase, reducing net monthly exposure to $3,400. Staged runway extends to 39+ months.
Decision Pathway
Full exit scored 54/100 overall. Staged transition scored 81/100. The conditional determination is predicated on: (1) 3 signed client agreements before 90-day mark, (2) staged exit negotiated with current employer, (3) quarterly revenue threshold review.
Determination Logic
A full immediate exit was determined premature due to unconfirmed revenue and household exposure. The staged model preserves optionality while enabling the client to build the practice under reduced financial pressure. The client's domain expertise and existing network justify a positive determination on transition viability — the structure, not the direction, required modification.
Final Determination
DETERMINATION: CONDITIONAL — Proceed with Staged Transition. Conditions: (1) Negotiate 60% part-time arrangement with current employer by Day 30. (2) Convert minimum 3 soft commitments to signed agreements by Day 90. (3) Reassessment at 6-month mark against defined revenue targets. Failure to meet any condition triggers a hold and mandatory redetermination.
Have a Similar Decision?
Begin a structured determination under the DSDF framework.