The 100-Point Business Exit Readiness Assessment
Every business owner considering a sale faces the same fundamental question: Am I ready?
Not emotionally ready. Structurally ready. Operationally ready. Financially ready in the ways that actually matter to buyers.
The SCORE Framework answers that question in approximately 15 minutes.
What SCORE Measures
SCORE represents the five critical dimensions that determine whether a business can be sold successfully and at maximum value:
S – Systems
Do you have documented, transferable processes that a new owner can operate? Can someone who has never seen your business step in and keep it running without your institutional knowledge?
C – Concentration
Is your revenue dangerously dependent on a small number of customers, products, channels, or suppliers? Concentration creates single points of failure that sophisticated buyers identify immediately—and price accordingly.
O – Owner-Independence
Can the business run profitably without your daily involvement? If you are the business—if customers buy because of you, if decisions flow through you, if knowledge lives in your head—then you do not have a sellable business. You have a job you own.
R – Revenue Quality
Is your revenue predictable, recurring, and growing in ways buyers value? Not all revenue is equal. A dollar of contracted recurring revenue is worth multiples more than a dollar of one-time project revenue.
E – Exit Timing
Are market conditions, business trajectory, and your personal situation aligned for a successful exit? Timing is the variable owners get wrong most often.
How SCORE Scoring Works
Each category is scored on 20 points, for a total of 100 points.
ScoreReadiness LevelTypical Timeline85-100Exit-Ready6-12 months70-84Near-Ready12-24 months55-69Developing2-3 years40-54Early Stage3-5 years25-39Foundation Building5-7 years0-24Not Ready7+ years
The Hidden Cost of Unpreparedness
Most business owners dramatically underestimate the cost of exit unpreparedness.
Consider a business generating $3 million in EBITDA. A well-prepared business might sell for 7x EBITDA—$21 million. The same business with significant gaps in systems, concentration, or owner-independence might sell for 4x EBITDA—$12 million.
That is a $9 million difference based entirely on preparation.
Who Should Take This Assessment
This assessment is designed for owners of established businesses generating between $2 million and $250 million in annual revenue.
You should complete this assessment if you are:
Actively considering selling your business within the next 1-5 years
Curious about what your business might be worth
Planning for eventual succession
Wanting to build a more valuable, transferable business
Recovering from a failed sale attempt
Preparing to raise capital
How SCORE Connects to Other Frameworks
SCORE is the entry point. For deeper assessment, SCORE connects to four comprehensive frameworks:
SELL Framework (40 Points) – Revenue Quality Assessment
If SCORE reveals weaknesses in Revenue Quality or Concentration, the SELL Framework provides detailed diagnostic and improvement paths.
SCALE Framework (50 Points) – Operational Readiness Assessment
If SCORE reveals weaknesses in Systems or Owner-Independence, the SCALE Framework shows exactly what needs to be built.
DRIVER Test (60 Points) – Execution Capability Assessment
The DRIVER Test reveals whether your team can actually implement the improvements identified by other assessments.
EXIT Framework (40 Points) – Timing and Readiness Assessment
If SCORE reveals timing concerns, the EXIT Framework provides analysis to identify your optimal exit window.
Together, SCORE plus these four frameworks constitute a 290-point comprehensive business exit readiness system.
Download the Complete SCORE Assessment
The full SCORE Framework includes:
100 questions across 5 categories
Detailed scoring guide
Category-by-category interpretation
Priority sequencing for improvement
Consultant engagement recommendations
Quick reference score sheet
[Download SCORE Framework PDF] (Add your download link)
Related Frameworks
SCALE Framework (Operational Readiness)
SELL Framework (Revenue Quality)
DRIVER Test (Execution Capability)
About the Author
Scott Sylvan Bell is a business growth and exit strategy consultant specializing in mid-market companies with $10M-$250M in revenue. As Director of Program Training at The Abraham Group, Scott has developed proprietary frameworks used by hundreds of business owners to maximize enterprise value and achieve successful exits.
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