Challenge Templates | VelorStrategy

Week 1 – Kickoff Brief & Engagement Plan

Objective Summary: Brief description of the challenge or project goals.
Engagement Goals: Three key goals to guide the collaboration.
Scope Overview: What’s in vs. out of scope.
Roles & Responsibilities: Client and expert leads, plus key contributors.
Timeline Preview: A 4-week view of activities by phase.

Week 2 – Diagnostic & Recommendations

Insights Summary: Key findings from early review or interviews.
Challenges Identified: Top issues or pain points surfaced.
Root Causes: Use bullets or visual mapping to explain underlying issues.
Preliminary Recommendations: Strategic or tactical actions proposed.

Week 3 – Draft Deliverable Overview

Deliverable Purpose: What the draft aims to accomplish or support.
Structure/Format: Playbook, model, deck, document, etc.
Key Sections/Modules: Breakdown of deliverable contents.
Client Questions: Areas needing input, validation, or feedback.

Week 4 – Final Deliverable & Debrief Summary

Final Deliverable Snapshot: Brief description and delivery location or link.
Key Outcomes: Impact or value delivered across 2–3 results.
Insights for Action: Final recommendations or follow-up suggestions.
Debrief Notes: Notes from client session and next step planning.

Weeks 1–2 – Discovery & Alignment

Engagement Context: Summary of background, market conditions, or triggers for the engagement.
Discovery Inputs: List of sources used (interviews, documents, data).
Scope Definition: Clear articulation of what will and will not be delivered.
Success Metrics: KPIs or outcome indicators aligned with client priorities.

Weeks 3–4 – Strategic Framework

Concept Overview: Explanation of the strategic idea or methodology.
Supporting Models: Frameworks, canvases, or visual tools introduced.
Validation Points: How the framework was tested, reviewed, or aligned.
Draft Strategy Summary: One-slide or high-level output summary.

Weeks 5–6 – Execution Asset

Asset Description: Detailed explanation of the execution tool or deliverable.
Target User/Team: Who the asset is built for and how it’s used.
Usability Testing: Notes on feedback received and revisions made.
Versioning & Delivery: Final format, version history, and access method.

Weeks 7–8 – Final Output & Roadmap

Packaged Deliverable: Final outputs submitted with links or handoff notes.
Results Summary: Key outcomes from collaboration across strategic, operational, or insight domains.
Roadmap or Handoff Plan: Recommended next steps, phases, or adoption plan.
Closing Feedback: Notes from final client debrief and reflection.

Align expectations and responsibilities at the start of the engagement.
Usage: Week 1 for 4W / Weeks 1–2 for 8W engagements.

Project Background & Context
- What is the origin or driver for this engagement?
- What key events or challenges led to this work?
- What internal or external pressures are relevant?
Goals & Key Results
- What are the 2–3 primary goals of the engagement?
- What measurable outcomes define success?
- What metrics or signals should we track?
Roles & Responsibilities
- Who owns what within this project?
- What are each stakeholder’s responsibilities?
- Are escalation paths and decision rights defined?
Timeline & Milestones
- What are the high-level phases and timing?
- What are the expected weekly milestones?
- What flexibility or risks exist around timing?
Communication & Governance
- How often will updates or check-ins occur?
- What tools will we use to collaborate?
- Who approves final deliverables?

Capture insights, identify bottlenecks, and propose evidence-based recommendations.
Usage: Week 2 for 4W / Weeks 1–2 for 8W engagements.

Current State Assessment
- What processes or systems are in place today?
- What gaps or inefficiencies were observed?
- How is performance currently being measured?
Key Pain Points
- Where are the biggest bottlenecks or risks?
- Which areas are underperforming?
- Are there symptoms of deeper structural issues?
Root Cause Analysis
- What underlying issues are driving problems?
- Are cultural, process, or system factors involved?
- What data supports these conclusions?
Early Recommendations
- What quick wins or no-regret actions are suggested?
- How do proposed actions align with goals?
- What’s the projected impact of each?
Feedback & Alignment
- What is the client’s reaction to initial findings?
- What changes were made based on input?
- How will next steps be refined?

Define the core solution architecture, validate with the client, and establish strategic logic.
Usage: Week 3 for 4W / Weeks 3–4 for 8W engagements.

Strategic Hypothesis
- What is the central idea or thesis being proposed?
- What assumptions is it based on?
- What will success prove or disprove?
Solution Architecture
- What are the key building blocks of the solution?
- How are components connected?
- What’s the underlying logic?
Use Cases & Validation
- Where will the solution be applied first?
- How is client feedback informing the design?
- What is the plan for testing and iteration?
Visual Framework
- What diagrams or models represent the approach?
- Are key elements labeled clearly?
- How is the value story communicated visually?
Strategic Fit
- How does this align with broader priorities?
- What risks might arise in implementation?
- Is the approach scalable and flexible?

Build the tangible output or tool that reflects the strategy and enables implementation.
Usage: Week 3 for 4W / Weeks 5–6 for 8W engagements.

Asset Purpose
- What is the goal of this deliverable?
- Who will use or act on it?
- What decision or action should it enable?
Core Components
- What content or insights does it contain?
- What models, data, or logic are included?
- How is it structured for clarity and flow?
Client Review & Feedback
- When and how will the client preview the asset?
- What feedback loop is in place?
- How will feedback be incorporated efficiently?
Usability & Handoff
- Is the format easy to use and understand?
- Are clear instructions or support included?
- How will ownership transition to the client?
Version & Access Control
- Where is the final version stored?
- Who has access and editing rights?
- What naming/versioning convention is used?

Translate the diagnostic into a strategic direction with clear goals, decisions, and framing logic.
Usage: Week 3 for 4W / Weeks 3–4 for 8W engagements.

Strategic Direction
- What is the proposed strategic approach?
- How does it address the diagnostic findings?
- What are the tradeoffs or alternatives?
Goals & Outcomes
- What specific outcomes are expected?
- How are those outcomes measured?
- What timeline is realistic to achieve them?
Strategic Priorities
- What are the top 3 focus areas?
- What initiatives align with each?
- What must be deprioritized?
Stakeholder Alignment
- Who must support this plan?
- What concerns might they raise?
- How will you gain buy-in?
Validation & Assumptions
- What data supports this plan?
- What assumptions are most risky?
- How will the strategy be tested?

Articulate how the strategy or initiative creates value across business layers, stakeholders, and outcomes.
Usage: Week 4 for 4W / Weeks 5–6 for 8W engagements.

Value Drivers
- What are the primary sources of business value?
- How do they relate to the client’s goals?
- What financial or strategic impact is expected?
Enablers & Capabilities
- What capabilities are required to realize value?
- What enablers (tech, talent, process) support them?
- Where are current gaps or constraints?
Stakeholder Benefits
- How does each stakeholder group benefit?
- What tradeoffs must be communicated?
- How is stakeholder impact prioritized?
KPIs & Value Metrics
- What metrics define success?
- How will value be tracked over time?
- What data sources support measurement?
Risks to Value Capture
- What could reduce or delay value realization?
- What are the assumptions behind value estimates?
- How will risks be monitored and managed?

Justify the engagement or initiative with financial and strategic rationale to support decision-making and resourcing.
Usage: Week 3–4 for 4W / Weeks 5–6 for 8W engagements.

Problem & Opportunity
- What issue or gap are we addressing?
- Why is this the right time to act?
- What strategic advantage could be gained?
Cost & Investment
- What resources or funding are needed?
- What is the breakdown of time, team, tools?
- What are the upfront and ongoing costs?
Benefit Analysis
- What are the expected outcomes?
- How do we quantify the benefits?
- What is the return on investment (ROI)?
Scenarios & Options
- What are the alternative approaches?
- What are the tradeoffs between options?
- Why is this path the most viable?
Approval & Buy-In
- Who needs to approve the case?
- What concerns need to be addressed?
- What materials support stakeholder buy-in?

Guide your financial modeling with a structured valuation approach. This template helps estimate value based on multiple methods, assumptions, and growth outlooks.

Revenue & Growth Forecast
- What is your current ARR/MRR?
- What growth rate do you project over 3–5 years?
- What assumptions support these projections?
Cost Structure & Margins
- What is your gross margin and operating margin?
- What fixed vs variable costs impact EBITDA?
- How will costs scale with revenue?
Comparable Company Analysis
- What peer companies are most relevant?
- What are their revenue multiples?
- How does your business compare in maturity?
Discounted Cash Flow (DCF)
- What are your projected free cash flows?
- What discount rate (WACC) applies?
- What is the terminal value assumption?
Pre-Money / Post-Money Context
- What is your current ownership breakdown?
- How much capital is being raised?
- What valuation range are you targeting?

This template helps you design and deliver a structured, high-impact workshop. Align your goals, agenda, facilitation methods, and follow-ups for collaborative outcomes.

Workshop Objectives & Outcomes
- What decisions or outputs should result?
- What questions must be addressed?
- How will success be measured?
Participant Roles & Preparation
- Who must be in the room?
- What pre-work or data should be reviewed?
- What are each role’s responsibilities?
Agenda Design & Flow
- What is the structure of the session(s)?
- How is time allocated across activities?
- Where are breaks or transitions planned?
Facilitation Tools & Materials
- What frameworks, canvases, or prompts will be used?
- What tools (e.g., whiteboard, polling) are needed?
- How will notes and outputs be captured?
Follow-Up & Accountability
- How will outputs be shared and documented?
- What next steps or owners are defined?
- When is the post-workshop check-in?

1. Define Interview Objectives
- What decisions or deliverables will this interview support?
- What type of insights are we trying to uncover?
- How will the output be used by the project team?
2. Select Stakeholders to Interview
- Who holds key knowledge, experience, or perspective?
- Are we capturing a balance of seniority and function?
- Is anyone likely to resist or influence the engagement?
3. Craft Interview Questions
- What are the 5–7 core questions we’ll ask?
- Are the questions unbiased and open-ended?
- Do we have probes ready for deeper exploration?
4. Execute the Interview
- What format will we use (1:1, group, remote)?
- How will we put the interviewee at ease?
- What tools will we use to capture notes accurately?
5. Analyze and Synthesize Insights
- What patterns or signals emerged across responses?
- Where are there inconsistencies or tensions?
- What summaries or quotes will be shared with the team?

Need a Custom Template?

If your engagement requires a unique template or structured format, our team is here to help. Reach out with your request and we’ll support or create what you need.

Email us at: advisory@velorstrategy.com

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