| Failure | Early sign | Corrective action |
|---|---|---|
| Preparation outruns demand | Large enrichment scope without a task | Hold the work; ask for a buyer requirement |
| Rights are overgeneralised | One agreement treated as covering all content | Rebuild cohorts and exclude unresolved material |
| Samples become production | Continued access after test period | End or formally extend the authorised scope |
| Costs are not comparable | Quotes use different volumes and acceptance rules | Reissue one assumptions sheet |
| Pilot success cannot be reproduced | No baseline, manifest or version | Repeat a bounded test with recorded conditions |
| Exit is only theoretical | No owner for deletion or retention | Agree and demonstrate the workflow before signature |
| Revenue is mistaken for profit | Statements omit deductions and support costs | Reconcile cash and calculate contribution |
For alternative starting situations: an owner with no known buyer should stop after demand qualification if evidence remains weak; an owner with a live proposal should prioritise scope and proof; an owner with an active contract should start with reporting, renewal deadlines and existing grants. An acquired portfolio should first map overlapping mandates across entities rather than offer a supposedly unified archive.