The Branching Map
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. Like a tree adding new branches, covers 36-month timeline from trunk validation through scale/prune decision.
When to Use The Branching Map
Use after deciding to launch a new business line - like a tree extending branches, this 36-month map guides execution from trunk strength validation through the final scale-or-prune decision.
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