Transition Triggers Diagnostic
A diagnostic tool for identifying when an organization needs to initiate a stage transition.
A diagnostic tool for identifying when an organization needs to initiate a stage transition. Uses a '3 of 5' threshold rule - if you answer 'yes' to any 3 out of 5 questions in a category, begin planning your transition immediately. Waiting until all 5 are true means you're already in crisis.
When to Use Transition Triggers Diagnostic
Use regularly (quarterly recommended) to assess whether current organizational stage remains appropriate, or when experiencing signs of strain, stagnation, or dysfunction that might indicate transition timing.
How to Apply
Pioneer → Intermediate Assessment
Evaluate five trigger questions for Pioneer to Intermediate transition.
Questions to Ask
- Teams don't know what others are building (coordination breakdown)?
- Customer complaints up >30% despite product improvements (quality issues)?
- Key people leaving due to 'chaos' or lack of structure (talent churn)?
- Deal sizes growing but close rates declining (sales friction)?
- Engineering velocity down >30% from peak (technical debt)?
Outputs
- Yes count out of 5
- Transition recommendation if ≥3
Intermediate → Mature Assessment
Evaluate five trigger questions for Intermediate to Mature transition.
Questions to Ask
- YoY growth below 100% for 2+ consecutive quarters (growth plateau)?
- TAM >50% penetrated in core segments (market saturation)?
- Unit economics improving but absolute margins declining (margin pressure)?
- 50%+ of time spent on coordination versus execution (process burden)?
- New feature velocity declining despite more resources (innovation slowdown)?
Outputs
- Yes count out of 5
- Transition recommendation if ≥3
Mature → Renewal Assessment
Evaluate five trigger questions for Mature to Renewal transition.
Questions to Ask
- Core business showing negative growth for 2+ years (core decline)?
- New entrants gaining 5%+ market share annually (disruption threat)?
- Best people leaving for 'more exciting' opportunities (talent exodus)?
- No major new capabilities in 3+ years (innovation freeze)?
- Leadership debates 'what business are we in?' (strategic confusion)?
Outputs
- Yes count out of 5
- Transition recommendation if ≥3
Action Planning
If any assessment shows ≥3 triggers, initiate transition planning immediately. Document specific triggers and begin addressing.
Outputs
- Transition priority
- Specific triggers to address
- Timeline recommendation