Review burn when your cash plan no longer funds the next milestone with a contingency buffer; tighter funding conditions make that review more urgent.
Model a slower revenue or fundraising case before approving more recurring spend. Reduce commitments that do not protect delivery, retention or the next milestone, and set a cash buffer for restoring them.
Conditions are Cloudy and worsening since Sep 30; revisit decisions made on the Sep 30 reading.
Cash runway is available cash divided by monthly net burn when burn is positive and stable. Use a cash-flow forecast when collections, renewals or one-off payments vary. Compare savings after cancellation costs and lost revenue; a cut that weakens retention can leave less cash than the headline saving suggests.
| Area | This week | Pause line | Resume line |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fundraising | If you're planning to raise, get your materials ready now so you decide when to go out. | Pause linePause the raise if risk appetite falls below 44 or funding pressure is above 76. Funding pressure is 90 now.past the line | Resume lineResume the full process when risk appetite is above 54 and funding pressure falls below 66. Risk appetite is 55 and funding pressure is 90 now.24 pts away |
| Spending | Before you approve any optional spend, work out how long it takes to pay back. 6 months is the bar. | Pause linePause new discretionary spend if funding pressure is above 76. Funding pressure is 90 now.past the line | Resume lineResume new spend when funding pressure falls below 66 and the payback figures still hold.24 pts away |
Conditions change if: Funding pressure falls 20 pts from 90 to 70 or below.
Change line 70
0 = easier funding · 100 = harder funding
On this signal alone: Money is tight — conserve cash, extend runway, defer big bets. Fundraising windows are narrow.
Change line 50
0 = risk-averse investors · 100 = risk-hungry investors
On this signal alone: Markets are selectively open — prove traction before scaling; get customer evidence before making large commitments.
We will reduce [spend] by [amount] to fund [milestone]. Protect [delivery or retention commitment]. Restore spend when [cash buffer and business result] hold. Owner: [name]. Review: [date].
Fill in the company inputs before using it as an approval.
Whether Weekly Brief — 2026-10-28 Conditions: Cloudy (money is available but pricey) Room before a change: clear of the line (how far the scores sit from the line where conditions change) Source note: https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/DGS1MO Full brief: https://whether.work/brief/2026-w44
Data date: Oct 28, 2026 · freshness: Oct 30, 2026, 2:00 AM UTC.