| Your immediate trigger | First action | Evidence needed before advancing | Next output |
|---|---|---|---|
| General interest, no proposal | Define one archive and plausible use | Inventory, sponsor, rights questions and product overlap | One-page opportunity brief |
| Intermediary proposal or exclusivity request | Classify the service and test material claims | Scope, entity, fee definitions, comparable evidence and release conditions | Partner scorecard and questions |
| Request for an archive sample | Verify recipient and proposed evaluation | Eligible content, permitted purpose, limited sample and approved controls | Sample release decision |
| Preparation quote | Tie each task to a requirement | Buyer need, rights readiness, pilot scope, acceptance tests and cost cap | Demand-before-preparation memo |
| Draft downstream licence | Separate uses and model the commitments | Rights schedule, economic scenarios, legal review and delivery ownership | Approval pack |
| Active licence or renewal | Reconcile delivery, money and rights | Reports, receipts, exceptions, performance and surviving obligations | Renew, renegotiate, reduce scope or exit decision |
This path can end in a hold or a decision not to pursue the opportunity. Record the evidence that would justify reopening it so the organisation does not repeat the same speculative project later.