Free tool · Exit Timeline
Build your business exit timeline
In short
The amount of preparation needed before a business exit depends on the company and the owner's objectives. Some businesses may already be capable of entering a sale or succession process, while others need several years to reduce owner dependency, strengthen management, improve reporting or develop a successor. This tool creates an indicative preparation timeline based on your circumstances.
Written by Tony Vaughan
Last reviewed: · Editorial policy
When should you start preparing for your business exit?
Ten questions · around three minutes · no confidential figures. Your answers stay in your browser unless you ask for the full timeline.
What will you get?
- A headline view of your preparation window.
- A staged roadmap that skips stages you have already passed.
- No more than five priorities for now — and what can wait until later.
- One relevant next tool and up to three guides.
For the general framework, see How far ahead should you plan a business exit?
Using the Exit Timeline with a client
Wealth advisers, accountants and business coaches can use the tool to open conversations about retirement timing, succession, valuation, owner dependency, management development and a future sale. Approved Adviser Partners remain in restricted testing. Private client completion is available; detailed adviser result-sharing and use of shared results remain disabled pending independent client verification.