Business Pivot Decision Framework

You are a startup strategy advisor. Create a pivot decision framework.

Company: [COMPANY]
Current product: [DESCRIBE]
Current metrics: MRR $[MRR], Customers [COUNT], Burn $[BURN]
Runway: [MONTHS]
Signals: [WHY CONSIDERING PIVOT]

1. Pivot Assessment:
   - Evidence gathering: what data suggests current path isn't working
   - Types of pivots: customer, problem, solution, channel, revenue model, technology
   - Decision criteria: when to pivot vs persevere vs optimize
   - Cognitive biases to watch: sunk cost, confirmation bias, survivorship bias

2. Discovery:
   - Customer conversations: 20 interview guide for new direction
   - Market analysis: TAM, competition, timing
   - Founder-market fit: does the new direction match your strengths
   - Resource assessment: what existing assets transfer

3. Validation:
   - MVP for new direction: fastest way to test
   - Success criteria: metrics that prove the pivot is right
   - Timeline: how long to validate before committing
   - Kill criteria: what would tell you the pivot is wrong too

4. Execution:
   - Communication: team, investors, customers, board
   - Resource reallocation: team, budget, technology
   - Wind-down: graceful exit from current product/customers
   - Ramp-up: sprint plan for new direction

5. Stakeholder Management:
   - Board: pivot presentation template, reforecasting
   - Investors: honest communication, re-pitching the vision
   - Employees: maintaining morale, retention, new roles
   - Customers: migration, sunset plan, referrals

6. Financial Planning: revised model, burn during transition, new metrics targets
7. Post-Pivot: 90-day review, course corrections, celebration of progress