Strategic diagnosis · Typically 2–4 weeks

Find the friction behind stalled progress.

When revenue growth slows, the visible problem may have several plausible causes. The Koan Audit starts with the sales and GTM question, then tests whether the constraint lies there or in the decisions and handoffs around them. It gives leadership a clearer basis for deciding what to stop, change, and prioritize.

When to engage

The Audit fits when revenue growth has slowed, deals stall without a clear reason, teams disagree on the cause, or new sales and marketing effort is not translating into progress. It is especially useful before investing in a proposed fix whose underlying assumptions have not been tested.

What the work involves

We begin with the decision, the boundaries of the engagement, and the evidence needed to examine it. Depending on the question and available access, that may include leadership and team interviews, pipeline and CRM records, win/loss patterns, sales calls, customer and segment data, and the way work moves between teams.

We test competing explanations across qualification, the sales process, GTM choices, and cross-functional handoffs. If the evidence points to an adjacent operating problem, we flag it and explain its connection to revenue without silently expanding the scope.

Decisions and outputs

The final package is tailored to scope and may include:

  • A map of the primary revenue constraint and the evidence behind it.
  • Important adjacent findings and questions that need separate investigation.
  • The commercial measures most relevant to the constraint, with a baseline where reliable data is available.
  • Clear priorities, decision ownership, and a 30/60/90-day decision roadmap with initial actions to test.

We distinguish a verified finding from a strong inference, a hypothesis to test, and a choice leadership must make. The Audit identifies and prioritizes changes; implementation and measurable results require action after the diagnosis. It is not a financial-statement or compliance audit.

What may happen next

Leadership may act on the roadmap independently. A defined strategy or sales-process design project, including GTM work, may be useful if the findings call for one. Ongoing Advisory may help where decisions require continued scrutiny. Any further work is a separate decision, based on the need identified.

Start a conversation

Clarify the problem before committing to the fix.

Start with the decision your leadership team is struggling to make.

Discuss a strategic challenge