1 · Growth retainer
Backlog, maintenance, and planned improvements on the proven system — only if you choose it.
SAMPLE · ILLUSTRATIVE
Sample 14-Day Challenge packet
An anonymized template showing how Day-1 acceptance checks and a Day-14 go/no-go readout look for an FP&A variance / board-narrative workflow. Not a real client case — illustrative only.
01 · Day-1 acceptance checklist
Written pass/fail before the build starts.
Locked on Day 1 with the buyer. Every item is observable. Vague outcomes ("faster close") are rewritten into checks the system can demonstrate.
| Check | Pass condition (SAMPLE) | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Source inputs available | Pulls prior-period actuals + budget from agreed export (CSV/API) without manual re-key for the scoped P&L lines. | ☐ Pass / Fail |
| Variance draft generated | Produces first-pass variance commentary for ≥ N agreed cost centers within the scoped close window. | ☐ Pass / Fail |
| Human review path | Reviewer can edit, accept, or reject each line before anything is marked final — no silent auto-publish. | ☐ Pass / Fail |
| Board narrative pack | Exports a board-ready narrative section (markdown/PDF) using accepted variance notes + agreed template. | ☐ Pass / Fail |
| Ownership & deploy | Code in buyer's repo; deploy path documented in buyer's cloud; credentials stay in buyer's accounts. | ☐ Pass / Fail |
| Handover usable | Runbook + dependency inventory lets another engineer operate or extend without Strata present. | ☐ Pass / Fail |
SAMPLE / illustrative. Real Day-1 checks are written with the buyer for their scoped workflow. Numbers, systems, and line items above are placeholders — not from a live engagement.
02 · Day-14 go / no-go readout
A real decision — "no" is allowed.
At day 14 the buyer scores the written checks, confirms ownership, and chooses the next step. Retainer is never assumed.
Go
Continue after proof
All critical Day-1 checks pass (or are waived in writing). Buyer wants Growth capacity on the same system.
- Acceptance scorecard signed
- Ownership inventory confirmed
- Growth scope + 28-day billing discussed
No-go
Stop — keep the work
Checks miss, fit isn't there, or buyer chooses to pause. Repo, data, and deploy stay with the buyer.
- Handover pack delivered
- No retainer obligation
- Everything already shipped remains theirs
Ownership checklist (buyer confirms)
- Repository is in our org / accounts
- Cloud deploy path uses our credentials and environment
- Data stores and any AI processing boundaries are documented
- Handover runbook + dependency list received
- Third-party / cloud cost ownership called out separately
Next-step options
Anonymized template. This page is process proof you can inspect — not a case study, logo wall, or claim about a named client. Real packets are engagement-specific.