Framework

Branching Execution Playbook

TL;DR

Phased implementation guide for executing a new branch after passing the Four Branching Questions.

Phased implementation guide for executing a new branch after passing the Four Branching Questions. Covers 36-month timeline from trunk validation through scale/prune decision.

When to Use Branching Execution Playbook

After deciding to branch (passed Four Branching Questions with trunk score 7+). Guides execution from planning through scale or prune decision point.

How to Apply

Validate Trunk Strength (Month 1-3)

Run trunk diagnostics, assess leadership capacity and cultural readiness

Questions to Ask

Do trunk metrics pass scorecard?
Does CEO have bandwidth?
Can team manage multiple businesses?

Outputs

Go/No-Go decision
If weak, stop and fix trunk first

Define Branch Business Case (Month 3-6)

Build detailed branch plan with market analysis, financial projections, and resource requirements

Questions to Ask

Market size, growth rate, competitive landscape?
Revenue model same as trunk or different?
Capital and team requirements?

Outputs

IRR under base/bull/bear scenarios
Payback period
Opportunity cost analysis

Resource Allocation and Leadership (Month 6-9)

Allocate capital, hire branch leader, define operating cadence and decision authority

Questions to Ask

What % of company resources?
Who leads the branch?
What decisions can branch make independently?

Outputs

Capital allocation
Branch leader hired
Decision authority matrix

First-Year Execution (Month 9-21)

Build infrastructure, launch MVP, acquire customers, validate product-market fit

Questions to Ask

Q1-2: Core team hired? MVP launched? First customers acquired?
Q3-4: Retention >80%? NRR >100%? Organic growth >20%?

Outputs

CAC, conversion rate, time-to-value metrics
Product-market fit assessment

Scale or Prune Decision (Month 21-36)

Evaluate branch against targets, make scale/maintain/restructure/prune decision

Questions to Ask

Revenue within 70% of targets?
Margin trajectory toward target?
Team stable (<20% attrition)?
Growth shifting to organic?

Outputs

4/4 yes = Scale
3/4 = Maintain
2/4 = Restructure
0-1/4 = Prune